Fishing the Bow River
Contributed
So many fishermen come to Calgary, Alberta to fish the blue ribbon Bow River for Brown and Rainbow trout. Not only does Calgary have excellent fishing on the Bow River, it is one of the most beautiful places in Canada to visit. With the Rocky Mountains only a forty five minute drive away, Calgary is the perfect place for any outdoors man or woman to spend a vacation. Though this river may be idyllic, keep in mind that great fishing can be found throughout the whole of Alberta.
There are many fantastic destinations in Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise and all over Kananaskis country where you are able to catch whatever species of trout you’re looking for. The Bow River forms in the Rocky Mountains of Banff National Park in southwestern Alberta, and flows eastward 144 kilometers (90 miles) towards the city of Calgary. Bow Lake, out of which the Bow River forms, is a resplendent, placcid, high-mountain lake that is located north of Lake Louise. Bow Lake, though emptied into by a variety of mountain tributaries is mainly fed by the Bow Glacier.
The river gets bigger and moves slower as it leaves the mountains. The people that make use of the Bow River system are as diverse as the landscapes the river flows through. The upper stretches of the Bow River -which flows through Banff National Park - is one of the most breathtaking mountain settings in the country - attracting millions of visitors each year; from the experienced outdoor types who hike and mountain climb, to the people who take advantage of the Bow Valley’s world class canoeing, kayaking, skiing, and hunting!
There are many excellent sections of fishable water - suitable for family day trips - that are found between Calgary and Carseland. One of these rivers is the Highwood River which is the major spawning stream for the Bow River Rainbow trout.
This river holds most of the provinces sport fish which include Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Bull Trout (in the upper reaches) as well as Cutties and plenty of Rocky Mountain Whitefish. There is no other river that is quite like the Bow River. It is hard to believe that you could be partaking in a gourmet meal in one of Calgary’s fine restaurants, and within an hour be catching some of the biggest and wildest trout available anywhere in the world.
The Bow River holds a resident population of Rainbow and Brown trout that has one of the best growth rates on any river system in the world today. A trout that is 4 to 5 years old is around 21 inches in picturesque paradise sees repeat anglers season after season. As one of the most amazing trout streams in the Rockies, every fisherman owes it to him/herself to make the Bow River one of their destinations when in the Calgary area.