Bow River Fishing Report June 30th

A bow river beauty.

   Well, it’s the time of year we all wait for, the Bow is fishing wonderfully. Visibility has improved even below the confluence of the Highwood river, and the bugs are out in full force. Stonefly nymphs, Wooly buggers, and Adult Caddis were my flies of choice today, and all three methods paid off for me. I strongly encourage anyone who is considering taking a trip soon to let us know because I don’t think conditions could be any better than they are right now!

  The seven day forecast looks really sunny so we’re in for more of the good stuff.  As always, feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments. Check back frequently as we will update often.

Quit squirmin’

Livingstone River Fishing Report June 28th

A feisty Livingstone cutthroat trout 

Well, a trip to the mountains today, man was it hot! Well I can report that all of the high mountain streams in the Southern Kananaskis are in prime fishable condition. Fished the Livingstone all day, probably covered 10km or so of river, aslo briefly checked out Dutch, Racinghorse, and the Upper Oldman river as well. There were sporadic stonefly hatches, all the other usuals too, except no green drakes quite yet (although with the heat I could see them starting any day).  The dry fly action wasn’t spectacular today, although I have heard rave recent reports from others. You can’t go wrong with a trip up to God’s country…

  Check back, or better yet mark us in your favorites,as we will be out again very soon. Please e-mail or contact us if you have any questions or comments. Tight lines…

Bow River Fishing Report June 26th

Floated from 22x to McKinnon flats today.  River conditions are rapidly improving on a daily basis. Even at the Highwood confluence (see picture below) the river visibilty has improved to the point that the Highwood is marginally fishable.

Bow River at Highwood river confluence yesterday

Fantastic day to be out.  I had most of my success on the stonefly nymph and the San Juan worm. Below is a photo of a rainbow that I tricked with a stonefly nymph.

Big midday rainbow…

  With a great forecast ahead we will see more and more hatch activity. I personally witnessed piles of caddis, BWO, PMD, and even a few more stoneflies. The wind never did let up so a little less surface activity seen than last week. Check the links for other great fishing stuff, please bookmark us for future updates. Tight lines…

Bow River Fishing Report June 24th.

BRFG had a trip down the river from hwy22x to McKinnon flats today. There is still ALOT of water in the river, but the visibility was easily two to three feet or better above the confluence of the Highwood river.  The recent high water and subsequent erosion of the banks have deposited many new logjams and sweepers in the river. Overall, I would call the fishing today fair. We had some success with streamers, and even dry flies too, but small 14-18 nymphs proved to boat the most fish today.

Dennis with a streamer caught rainbow today.

  The river below the confluence of the Highwood is still barely a foot visibility. If you stick to the far bank until McKinnon flats, you should be ok.

A beautiful day to be on the Bow…

  Later in the day there was an incredible amount of insect activity. The caddis really came off after the wind calmed down, and there were hatches of BWO’s and PMD’s to be seen. A few adult stoneflies were spotted, and I was encouraged (nee last year) to see many rising fish as the evening broke. Unfortunantly, commitments called us from the river about 6:30 pm, so I can’t fully report on the “evening hatch”.  We will back out soon, so please check back for future updates. Please feel free to Contact Us is you have any questions, comments or suggestions. Tight lines… 

Sheep River Fishing Report June 23rd

The flow rate and turbidity level of the sheep river are improving daily.  Although not yet fishable, with warm, dry weather forecast for the near future should make the Highwood river easily fishable by midweek. Please check back regularly for updates.

Sheep river near the town of Okotoks, June 23rd.

Highwood River Fishing Report June 23rd

Well ok, not quite a fishing report yet…but soon!

Highwood River near Aldersyde.

  The river flow rates and turbidity levels are improving daily.  If the five day forecast is correct, the river should be fishable by midweek. Please check back for regular reports, tight lines.

****Bow River Float Trip**** ****Early Season Special!****

Book a full day float for 1 or 2 people on the Bow river for the 2006 season before Canada Day ( July 1 2006) and receive $75.00 off of the regular rate! Check the trips and rates tab for regular rate details. Feel free to Contact Us if you have any questions or comments. Please remember spaces are limited, so book soon before it’s too late!! 

Sheep River Update June 16th 2006

  WARNING: The government has issued a High Streamflow Advisory for all flowing waters in southern Alberta.

  The Sheep looked like it was going to break it’s banks last night, so I decided to go down to the River in the town of Okotoks this morning to check it out, and here’s what I saw:

The Footbridge behind the Okotoks Library. If you look upstream on the left bank, the park area (washed away last year but recently reclaimed)  looks as if it’s about to break its bank again.

Don’t get too close!!

Wow!

Those trees in the middle are floating down the river.

  The wet weather is supposed to end today, with a high pressure ridge moving in slowly from the south. Looks like We’ll be hitting some lakes for a few days or so. Please mark us in your favorites as we will continue regular updates on the Sheep, Highwood and Bow rivers throughout the summer, as well as any other fishing adventures we get into this year. I’ll keep you posted. Tight lines…

Rob.

Bow River Fishing Report June 15th

Rain, rain go away!! It has been pouring here in Okotoks for a couple of days now, and the Bow river basin south of Calgary is no different.  Although unfishable today, I’m hoping to get out this weekend and I promise a fishing report, instead of a watching report. Until then heres a few photos form this morning.

Upstream of Policemans flats where the rock dam used to be.

Just a miserable day all around!

 Nice little run where the marsh used to be.

  Please check back for regular updates. You can also use the weather network icon above to check the local forecast. Check the links too, for flow rates on the Bow as well as links to some of my friends. Tight lines…

Rob.

Sheep River Fishing Report June 15th

I was really hoping to post a report with great news anticipating opening day…but mother nature had other ideas. All the S.W. Alberta rivers are blown out due to the rains this week. I did however (out of sheer cabin fever) tour the sheep and others to give you an idea of how things look.

Sheep river under Hwy #2 bridge today.

What would you call this color of water on the Sheep today?

  I assure you we’ll be out on the rivers in full force once nature lets us. Be sure to check back for regular updates. Tight lines…

Rob.

Highwood River Fishing Report June 15th

I really wish I had better news, as I had planned to fish both the Highwood and the Sheep rivers opening day, but as you know heavy rains have blown out all of the Southwestern Alberta streams.

HIghwood river ay HWY 547 today.

 The rain should begin to cease during the day friday, as a high pressure sytem moves in from the south. Not to worry, I will post regularly and I will be on the rivers as soon as they’ll let me. Please feel free to use the weather network link above right for updated local forecasts. You can also check Bow river flows on the link to the right. Tight lines…

Rob. 

Bow River conditions June 7 ‘06

   I Drifted with fellow Guide Dennis Messer today from 22x highway to McKinnon Flats. I have to say I loved rowing our brand new Clackacraft 2006 16″ low profile tunnel hull for the first time today, it tracked and handled amazing, even in the gusting wind! A special thank You to Clacka Sales manager John Lent and all of the folks at Clacka. These really are the ultimate drift boat, please check ‘em out at the link on the right.

  Weather was over cast with gusting winds all day, luckily, we escaped most of the rain. The water was stained with 2-3 foot visibility, and seemed to rise throughout the day. There is still a LOT of water in the river.  Had some success with both streamers and small nymph patterns. All browns, no rainbows today. Here’s a leopard spotty beauty we caught inside Calgary city limits.

  With four days of straight rain forecast, it looks like the river will keep rising for a few days at least. Please check back for more reports as I plan to fish both the Sheep and Highwood rivers on opening day, and throughout the season.  I will post regular reports for those walk and waders who flyfish the foothills, as well as Bow river reports and pics of our clients catches.

ABOVE: 21″ Rainbow caught on the lower Bow June 6th. courtesy Ray LaFrance.