Guided FLY FISHing on The Lower Bow River.
Float Trips on the Blue Ribbon Lower Bow River in Calgary, Alberta - Canada.
After leaving the mountains surrounding Canmore and Banff National Park, the Bow River flows eastward splitting the city of Calgary through it's downtown core and continuing onward to the prairies southeast of the city. These lower Blue Ribbon sections of the Bow River in and downstream of the city of Calgary, exceptionally beautiful in their own rite, yield more than 50km of exceptionally nutrient rich, biodiverse, and productive trout water.
Rainbows and browns are abundant here with populations sitting at roughly 2500 fish/mile. Acrobatic and hard fighting, these fish commonly average between 16-20 inches / 40-50cm, however it is not uncommon to see them come to the net approaching the 30in / 75cm range, particularly on the lower sections. The Lower Bow is a destination trophy fishery, not to be missed.
Our float trips are open to anyone over the age of 16, with younger participants considered by request only.
FROM SAGE, SIMMS, RIO & LOON OUTDOORS
CAREER GUIDES WHO KNOW HOW TO KEEP IT FUN & GET YOU IN FRONT OF THE FISH
COMFORTABLE FOR 2 ANGLERS + YOUR GUIDE.
DELI STYLE LUNCH AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST; BEVERAGES INCLUDED (ALCOHOL NOT PERMITTED)
We're making a few updates here. Check back soon.
April & MAY
WHAT TO EXPECT:
HATCHES & BUGS:
Trips booked during the months of May are booked on a tentative basis, and eligible for FULL REFUND, if it is deemed by our Guides & Clients in tandem, that the fishing conditions are not conducive to meeting expectations. We often also have significant flexibility in our schedule at this time of year, making rebooking by a few days or a week generally easy to accommodate.
June
WHAT TO EXPECT:
HATCHES & BUGS:
July
WHAT TO EXPECT:
HATCHES & BUGS:
August
WHAT TO EXPECT:
HATCHES & BUGS:
September
WHAT TO EXPECT:
HATCHES & BUGS:
RODS:
The rods we provide which are included in your booking, and available for you to use are generally in the 9ft, 5wt to 6wt range. These are typically a combination of the Sage R8, the Sage X, and the Sage SONIC, all premium rod offerings.
REELS:
The reels provided are a combination of the Sage SPECTRUM & SPECTRUM LT. These will come in 5/6 wt to match rod and technique application.
LINES:
The vast majority of the techniques required on the Upper Bow River can be served by what is called a weight forward line weighted to match the rod. Unless you have a specific preference to underline or overline your rig and are bringing your own gear, we simply match line weight, to the reel, and then onto our rods.
Typically the lines you'll see on our reels are RIO Gold, RIO Elite Technical Trout & The Rio Perception, generally premium offerings and are replaced frequently for best performance. If you are bringing your own reel or spare spools, a WF5W* or WF6W* will cover the vast majority of your needs here. Intermediate sinking lines can have their application, but are not essential.
* WF5W = Weight Forward 5 Weight Line for example.
For more information on our Trout Spey offerings, get in touch with the office to request.
Waders & Wading Boots:
We provide included in your booking the use of a selection of our Simms Waders & Boots. If you have your own, feel free to bring them along, however we do require that if you are coming in from outside the Bow River system to join us for a trip, that all wading gear is cleaned and sanitized prior to your arrival. This is also particularly important for international clients arriving from outside Canada, and should be done prior to arriving at a Canadian port of entry.
Clothing:
Generally, the clothing you will be required to bring with you will be minimal for your day out with us. During the months of July and August, weather patters and forecasts become more predictable - however in the early and late season it is best to have a variety of cold weather options and precipitation is more common, and weather forecasts occasionally less accurate, and at minimum having a insulated jacket, as well as Gore-Tex (or equivalent) rain jacket will be required.
- Long sleeve synthetic base layer with hood (suggested - great for sun protection)
- Light Collared Synthetic Shirt (suggested - nice for the really hot sunny days)
- Mid Layers - Tops and Bottoms (for colder weather or spring months only)
- Socks - A Wool Blend is best, no cotton (suggested)
- Softshell or Windbreaker Jacket (or similar)
- Gore Tex Jacket (a critical item if we have rain or cold weather in the forecast)
- Sun Hat (ball cap or sombrero style's are good)
- Buff Style Neck Tube or Similar
- Insulated Hat (for colder weather or spring months only)
- 1/2 Finger Gloves or Neoprene (for cold weather or spring months only)
- Down or Synthetic Insulated Jacket (or equivalent, for cold weather days)
Lower Bow River Trout Species:
- Brown Trout
- Rainbow Trout
Avg. 40-50cm to ~75cm.
The Blue Ribbon Sections of the Lower Bow River in and below the city of Calgary make up a little more than 50km of exceptional trout water. Nutrient rich and highly fertile waters provide fish in on average in the 16-20in range, but can also be found in and around the ~30in mark. Here we're primarily targeting Browns and Rainbows, though Rocky Mountain Whitefish, Cutthroat, and other species can be found in addition.
Same river. Different Experience.
Before booking our Upper Bow River float trips, it is worth noting that some may assume that the character of these upper sections of the river are the same as those in and below the city of Calgary. While both incredible experiences, viewed through the eyes of an angler, these two sections of the river differ greatly with respect to the angling experience. Here we'll look to paint the picture of what to expect when booking a trip on either the Upper Bow River or the Lower Bow River - and how to make sure you're choosing the right trip.
Lower Bow River:
Calgary to Carseland, Alberta.
The waters of the Lower Bow River consist of roughly 55km of highly fertile, Blue Ribbon waters, stretching from the City of Calgary downstream to the small hamlet of Carseland. This nutrient rich water creates a level of biodiversity that is incredible to witness on your floats, and supports good populations of large, hard fighting rainbow and brown trout. These sections are too, uniquely beautiful. The seeming expanse and simplicity of the prairies the river cuts through makes for beautiful days on the water. If you're priorities are focused mainly on having access to higher numbers of larger, harder fighting fish, then the sections of the Lower Bow are the place to book your float.
Upper (Middle) Bow River:
Canmore, Alberta.
The Upper Bow River, or what's occasionally known as the Middle Bow River, is a freestone mountain river. Our home waters here in Canmore are effectively freely connected, directly to the source at Bow Lake and the Wapta Icefields in Banff National Park. Flow rates here change naturally with somewhat minimal human interference and are impacted by the seasons, snowpack depths from the previous winter, rain events during the summer months, and the timing and intensity of the summer heat. Generally speaking, given that the fish in this stretch of river are more accustomed to managing consistent changes in flow and have adapted, they are often more opportunistic feeders. Another incredible pleasure of floating this river is the position and mountain scenery surrounding us - these float trips are arguably some of the most beautiful stretches of river in North America with peaks in every direction stretching skyware to near 10'000ft. It is not uncommon to see elk crossing us below the boat, bears roaming the banks or osprey fishing the same stretches of the river we do. This adds an element to an Upper Bow River trip that just can't be replicated on the lower sections of the river near Calgary.
The fish we target here are primarily Brown Trout, and while there truly are some big trout worth our time here, the waters of the Upper Bow are effectively less fertile than those below Calgary, it should be expected that average size will smaller.
Floating the most productive sections of the Upper Bow River require a sound, and current knowledge of the river structure and hazards. Fluctuating flow rates rates and deadfall impact our ability to pass certain features on these sections, which can change at times on a daily basis. Logjams shift, deadfall blocks passage, or water levels can drop to the point of impasse for a drift boat. These floats are a proper mountain adventure. Further, without a local understanding of how to navigate the complexities of the interconnected channels in many sections, trouble often awaits. Hard to focus on the fish when you're busy scaring the shit out of yourself.
All in, exploring these sections of the river provide an adventurous mountain experience, away from the traffic (boat) jams of the lower sections, and offer good challenges for any angler. Given the limited access by foot, many of these sections receive very little angling pressure, and combined with opportunistic fish makes the Upper Bow our preference for floats.
WAIVER - RELEASE OF LIABILITY & INDEMNITY AGREEMENT
Prior to booking you will be required to acknowledge that you have been provided a copy of our Waiver of Liability Agreement for your review. All participants, or their legal guardians wishing to participate on any Cloud Nine Programs, must acknowledge that they have been presented this document in advance of booking, have read it in its entirety, and understand the agreement being entered into by signing. While there is no obligation to enter into this agreement with us, it is a condition of our service provision.
Booking Terms & Conditions
Prior to booking your trip with us, please take a moment to review our Booking Terms and Conditions. These terms inform our refund, cancellation and credit forward policies as well as other important information regarding your booking with us.