Bow River, bow river guide, fly fishing bow river

Much has been written, much has been said, about the Bow River. It's name draws attention. Speak of the Bow River in a fly shop in Europe, and they've heard of it. Tell Bow River stories in a fly shop on the eastern seaboard of North America, and you will have reverant silence for your tale. The Bow River and it's trout are world famous. Ask anyone who's spent more than a few hours reading through magazines, they'll know about it!

So what on earth makes the Bow River so famous? We think it speaks for itself. The river consistently produces fish in excess of 20 inches, with many topping 25, and even 30 inches. While a 30 incher will be a fish of a lifetime for most here, and will draw some attention in flyshops, the common 20 incher, a fish most people who do not live around here, have never gotten, is almost an easy target in the Bow. There is rarely a day go by when the fish are co-operating even somewhat, that a 20 incher isn't hooked on a trip out. As a matter of fact, we expect several in that size range, and larger. The common Bow River fish will be between 16 and 22 inches.

Now having said all that, the fishing isn't easy! The Bow River can make you look like a fly fishing genius one minute, and a complete fool the next! The mood swings of these fish are one of the bow's characteristics. The successfull Bow River angler MUST change with the conditions. One minute we could be slinging heavy streamers, and a minute later we might be dry fly fishing to rising fish. Nymphing is probably the best and most consistant way of getting into fish on the Bow, and we will be doing a lot of it.

The Bow has many hatches, and these are great times to stalk these large trout on the dry fly. By carefully and slowly walking along known banks, we'll find you some fish that are working the surface, and hopefully get you into some of them! In the spring we get some thick hatches of blue winged olives, and while most say you cant find rising fish, we strongly disagree. It may take more patience, but the fish will come to these flies in some spots we frequent. Caddis hatches throughout most of the summer are a key to finding steadily rising fish. The Bow also has some excellent hatches of golden stoneflies just after runoff, that last some years until late August. The fish love these big bugs, and if the hatch is really on, some of the biggest and baddest fish in the river can be taken on the dry. Then in the fall we get trico's. These tiny bugs must taste really good, becuase why else would big fish be coming up and wasting energy on a size 22-24 bug? But they do, and the trico hatch can be an absolute riot! Blue winged olives also hatch in the fall, and this time the fish do not hesitate to chomp on them. Some of our best days of dry fly fishing have been on cloudy, rainy, September days. Throughout the summer and fall, fish can be taken on hoppers, and fishing hopper / dropper is a great way to prospect if the fish aren't keyed in on anything else.

FULL DAY FLOAT - $400 - Want to just get into fish right away? A float is for you then. We'll row you through the best spots, and get out and fish a lot of water too. Even those with a bit less experience, or weak casts, can catch fish from the boat! Richard says about his floats - "I will always try to keep my prices low because as I am semi-retired and i do this for the enjoyment more then anything .

FULL DAY WALK AND WADE - $400 Want to really learn the secrets of catching fish in this river? A full day walk and wade is for you. We'll cover every situation and presentation throughout the day as we carefully work through water known to hold large trout. If your looking for instruction on the Bow, or prefer the flexibility of wading and staying REALLY late if the hatches are on, then this trip is for you. Your wade trip would most likely be with the Bow Rivers longest serving and most experienced walk and wade guide, Brian Peace.