DESTINATION - CALGARY, ALBERTA! - The beautiful city of Calgary is your
headquarters to access the great fishing of southern Alberta. Calgary is a large
cosmopolitan city with a cowboy flare, home to the world famous Calgary Stampede
in early July, and gateway to the Rocky Mountain attractions of Banff National Park
and Lake Louise.
Calgary International Airport is well served with airline connections to major
American cities, often with non stop flights!
Air Canada is the major carrier flying into Calgary
ACCOMODATIONS - Anglers fishing the Bow can elect to return each night to hotels in Calgary or to camp in our comfortable camp on the river. Calgary is well served by dozens of motels and hotels, but the majority of visiting anglers stay at the Hospitality Inn. (403) 278-5050, 135 Southland Dr. SE. This is a luxury atrium style hotel with two fly shops within walking distance. We can make reservations at our preferred corporate rate of about $100 US per night per room. The Red Top Cab company takes customers to the Hospitality Inn from the airport at a hotel subsidized special rate. There are many good restaurants in the area. Unless you are planning to visit other tourist attractions in the Calgary area, renting a car is not necessary. Your guide will pick you up each morning at the hotel, and return you each evening.
FLY SHOPS - There are two full service fly shops within walking distance of the Hospitality Inn, Westwinds Fly Shop, #109 9919 Fairmount Dr. SE. (one block east), (403) 278-6331 and Country Pleasures, The Bow RIver Orvis Shop, #570 10816 Macleod Tr. S. (403) 271-1016.
FISHING "THE BOW NOBODY KNOWS" WITH SILVERTIP OUTFITTERS - Streamer fishing is very effective throughout the season. In July, higher water has the fish tight to the bank, and large streamers can be fished aggressively. Some very large brown trout are taken at this time. As water drops through the season, streamer tactics become more subtle, but are still very successful. Nymphing becomes increasingly effective as the water lowers in later summer. Dry fly fishing is usually confined to evenings or cloudy days in July and early August, but becomes more common throughout the day in late August and through September. Some years produce great surface feeding action, but overall this is a wet fly river. Our guides are experts in streamer tactics, and anxious to show you this effective and exciting way to catch big fish! Certain years see some great grasshopper action as well.
TACKLE - For streamer fishing we recommend a 5-7 weight rod with the optimum probably
a 6 weight. This should be set up with a good reel and a 7 -13 foot sink tip line, type V
or VI. Leaders from 4 to 7 feet are used, depending on conditions, and can be built by your guide.
For nymphing, we recommend a 4 -6 weight rod, at least 9 feet in length, with a dry line.
Leaders are usually about 9 feet, 3 - 4X tippet.
For dry fly fishing, rods from 3-5 weight are optimum, with 9 foot leaders of 5-7 X.
All our guides carry appropriate rods and reels of high quality, for clients use at no charge.
FLIES - Effective streamers include wooly buggers, Clousers, leech patterns, classic baitfish imitations, sculpins, and especially the "Bow River Bugger", a large wooly bugger with a muddler head. Weighting these flies, or the use of metal eyes or bead heads adds to their effectiveness. Early season size 4,6, with plenty of flash, later season 4,6,8 in subtler dressing and less weight. Golden stonefly nymphs, prince nymph, caddis larvae and pupae, pheasant tail, San Juan worm, and soft hackles are recommended for nymphing. Essential dry flies include tan bodied caddis, 16, 18, and assortment of pale morning dun patterns, 14, 16, 18, adams 14, 16, 18, Tricos, 18,20, ant patterns, including a fluorescent red size18, 20, grasshoppers. Your guide will be happy to point out appropriate patterns at a local fly shop.
OTHER EQUIPMENT - Chest waders, (rentals available from some fly shops), (wading wet is a pleasant option on many days, but anglers should always have waders with them). Rain Jacket, sweater or fleece jacket, polaroid sun glasses, hat, sunblock and camera.
EQUIPMENT FOR OVERNIGHT CAMPING - Besides the above equipment, personal toiletries and spare clothes. We provide towels, all bedding, and have a bag shower. You may wish to bring your own liquor, wine or beer, although we serve wine with dinner. Gear is best carried in a waterproof duffle.
2004 PRICES - Canadian Funds - $535 per boat per day. (max two persons). Price INCLUDES all relevant taxes.
CAMPING OPTIONS - We keep a well equipped tent camp set up along the river for the
season. Spending the night(s) on the river has become a popular option. Our sleeping
tents are roomy, with cots, foam mattress, pillow and bedding provided. We have a large
tent for cooking and dining, picnic tables, generator and electric lights. Our BASIC
CAMPING option includes accomodation and meals at our camp. The guide, hopefully assisted
by the anglers does the cooking. It requires that the guide secure supplies and
bedding, and means that some fishing time is lost. This option is only available for a
one boat party. Our DELUXE CAMPING option is the most popular, and the only option for
multi boat parties. It includes accomodation and meals and is fully catered by a separate
cook. Evenings on the river in our "deluxe" camp have become locally famous, with great
meals and camaraderie.
CAMPING PRICES - Canadian Funds - BASIC CAMPING - $175 per night per boat. DELUXE CAMPING - $175 per night per boat PLUS $350 for the first night and $175 for each succeeding night divided among all members of the party. In other words, each boat pays a basic camping fee and divides the catering cost among them. The more nights andlarger the party, the less cost per angler. We will provide an exact price quote based on the number of days fishing and your party size on request. Price INCLUDES all relevant taxes.
DEPOSIT POLICY - We require a $US 50 per day per boat deposit. You will receive appropriate exchange rate on your $US. This deposit is non refundable except when the guide in concert with the clients decides that the river is unfishable due to flooding or off coloured water, or adverse weather conditions. We can also be flexible with switching days if openings are available.
ALL PRICES QUOTED ARE $ CANADIAN - THE $ US EXCHANGE RATE WILL VARY DAILY
