Bow River Fishing Tips
If you are planning a fishing trip to Alberta, Canada, you will need to make a stop at the Bow River in the Calgary region. The Bow River has been reported as a fly fisherman’s heaven and, with many fish being pulled out of the waters topping twenty inches in length, there is good reason. If you go, there are some spots worth visiting and some secrets that you will want to give a try.
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Best Fishing Spots
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According to several sources, including the guides at BowCrow Fishing and also several reports from Bow River sites such as BowRiverCanada.com and Fellowfishermen.com, the prime areas to fish for the resident rainbow and brown trout that populate the waters is “just southeast of the city of Calgary.” In fact, FellowFishermen.com reported two 25-inch trout were pulled from the waters in the months of April and May in 2010. The river is a described as “a large river with a gentle flow” with many areas of good fishing. Further east of the city, the river winds through a cottonwood valley with many meandering islands and side channels where large 20-inch trout can be had.
Species of Fish
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The main fish in the Bow River is the trout. You will find several different species so come prepared with the proper bait. Rainbow trout averaging 16 to 22 inches are common as are brown trout, the largest 30 inches with an average range of 16 to 23 inches. In addition, you will find a rainbow hybrid breed of fish called a Cutthroat Trout. Those can grow to twenty inches or more. In addition, though rare, you might come across mountain whitefish, northern pike, walleye and sturgeon in the waters of the Bow River.
Best Seasons to Fish
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There are two seasons to fish the Bow River, spring and summer. The spring season lasts from March to April and is often considered the best time to fish during the entire year. You’ll find a combination of fishing types, the two most common being nymph and streamer fishing. The best luck for summer fishing, which winds down in September, is at first light when the trout are hopping. You’ll find good nymph fishing then. Mid-day can be slow but you can still work the shorelines using strip streamers. Overcast days are also effective for fishing in the summer but the real highlight of any summer fishing trip is during the evening hours when the fish start looking for hatching or egg-laying cad flies. You should have your rod in the water then because the fish will be jumping at that time of day.
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- Photo Credit Fishing image by philn99 from Fotolia.com
