Post Monsoon Brown Trout

Important Notice From City Of Calgary

This test will impact both the Elbow and Bow Rivers.

 The City would like to provide important information regarding an upcoming controlled river high-flow event that will occur in preparation for the upcoming flood readiness time period.

On a routine basis, The City conducts river surveys and inspections to review river bed conditions and flow rates. Early this year, surveys and inspections of the Elbow River were completed for the area along 22 Avenue to 25 Avenue S.W. Based on our preliminary findings, the Elbow River bed and flow depth along this area have changed.

To confirm the findings and to calibrate the flow capacity in the Mission area, The City will be conducting a controlled river high-flow event, on or around May 10, depending on rain conditions. The City will carefully increase the Elbow River flow rate over a period of time to the range of 80 to 100 m3/s by controlling therelease of water from the Glenmore Reservoir. This flow rate will not generate overland flooding.

Your safety

For your safety and that of others, all people and pets are asked to stay away from the river edge andbanks, and closed pathways on the Elbow River and the Bow riverbanks downstream of Inglewood during this controlled event. River conditions will remain high throughout the day and into the evening on the Bow River. This will pose an elevated risk to river users. City staff and emergency personnel will be on-site monitoring, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., the river levels and looking at potential impacts to river adjacent properties and communities.

PersonalPreparedness

The City is preparing for the risk of river flooding, which is greatest from May 15 to July 15 each year when we historically experience our largest rainfalls. Rainfall in the Rocky Mountains is the primary cause for flooding in Calgary. Rain hits the hard mountain surfaces and moves quickly from the mountains into the rivers. Flooding occurs quickly and with little warning because of the short, steep distance the rivers travel from the mountains to Calgary. The City monitors river conditions on 24/7 from May 15 to July 15 to provide Calgarians with as much warning as is possible. As part of The City’s annual citizen flood readiness efforts, Calgarians are reminded that river flooding can occur at any time and with little notice. One of The City’s priorities in a major incident is to ensure public safety and protect critical infrastructure and assets. Property owners remain responsible for protecting their property. The City offers opportunities and services for Calgarians to understand their flood risk, prepare for flood events and stay informed about flood conditions. Please see the enclosed attachment for further details.

Should you have questions or require further information please contact 311.

Sincerely,

Dan Limacher, Director, Water Services

The City of Calgary

 

Saturday Seminar - February 27

Winter/Spring Fishing on the Bow River

Techniques, gear, setups…everything you need to know for success fishing the Bow from now until runoff.  

Kevin Peterson is one who fishes a ton all winter and has a wealth of knowledge on how to do it right.

All seminars start at 10:00 am and will end between 11:00 and noon. There is no charge and no pre-registration required. Simply drop by the shop and enjoy the seminar.

Give The Gift Of A Fishing Day

Perfect gift idea....we do offer gift certificates for a guided fishing trips on the Bow River.

The recipient can book any day for their trip after Xmas. 

Bow River Guided Trip Info

 

Three Books Worth Reading

Heart Waters: Sources of the Bow River by Kevin Van Tighem

Heart Waters delves deeply into the history and ecology of a landscape whose critical value as a watershed is matched by its sheer beauty and diversity. A rich array of stunning images by Jasper-based photographer Brian Van Tighem complements the author’s well-researched explorations of the stories whispered by the living waters that drain from Banff National Park, Kananaskis Country and the famous ranchlands of the Bow River watershed. 

 Fusion Fly Tying: Steelhead, Salmon, and Trout Flies of the Synthetic Era by Greg Senyo

Teaches you how to work with synthetic materials that include the use of shanks, heavy wire, fish skulls and fish Masks, synthetic hackles and hair, new age flash, while also incorporating beads/metal components, forming and using new epoxy techniques, Copic air brushing and dying techniques, and a host of signature synthetic fibers and dubbings.

Classic Steelhead Flies by John Shewey

Learn the histories of these classic flies, as well as how to tie them. Covers their origins in the 1890s up through the mid-1970s. Includes flies that remain popular today, as well as forgotten classics that were once popular or that exhibit stylistic merit. 350 beautiful full color photos.

THE BOW IS OPEN!

Emergency closures have been lifted on the Bow River (and others). You can go fishing now! http://www.mywildalberta.com/Fishing/Closures.aspx

Important Information-Emergency Stream Closures

Effective August 11, 2015 the following waters have been
closed to all fishing; due to high water temperatures,
until further notice:

1. Belly River and tributaries downstream of Secondary Road 800,
2. Bow River and tributaries from Bearspaw Dam to Bassano Dam,
3. Elbow River and tributaries below Glenmore Reservoir,
4. Gorge Creek and tributaries,
5. Highwood River and tributaries,
6. Sheep River and tributaries,
7. St. Mary River and tributaries below St. Mary Reservoir,
8. Threepoint Creek and tributaries.

For more information go to  http://albertaregulations.ca/fishingregs/index.html
 
 

B.R.B. (Bow River Butter)

Way to go Pete! Your biggest Brown so far.

Mother Nature's Fix

A lot of you are likely aware that, on a few occasions this summer, we have been at critical levels for water temperature on the Bow River. The last of these cycles occurred through the second half of last week and through the long weekend. Temperatures of 71F-73F were showing up all over the place on the river below Calgary.

The weather events of yesterday afternoon and evening, most notably the large amounts of hail in the city, will certainly give the river an essential cool down that was much needed. Several square blocks of 6" deep hail, in the downtown core alone, entering the river will be a big help.

Tuesday's storm rolling in.

 This should mean for improved fishing over the next while. However, we are not out of the woods yet, anglers should still adhere to good practices of playing fish quickly, keeping them in the water, and taking extra time to make sure they are revived after landing. 

If the forecast for this week holds true, we will be in a much better situation for the next little while, but the long range forecast calls for more sunny and warm. Until we see the cooler, and longer, nights of later August we aren't out of the woods.

But in the short term, yesterdays storms were a godsend.

Fish Photos

A few photos of fish, caught by guided clients this past week. We haven't been posting too many of these as we have been recommending not taking photos of fish out of the water with water temperatures being warmer. All of these were either on cooler days, or early in the day in the city with temperatures not exceeding 65F.

Bow River triple. One angler with two fish at once, other angler with one.

Dan K., with a nice, 23" yellow.

Graeme D., with a slab of Bow River silver.

Mary C., with one of many that day.

Colors of the Bow River

Mike Guinn Photo

Mike Guinn Photo

Mike Guinn Photo

Just Around the Corner!

MIGHT GET A WEEK OR TWO OF THESE CRITTERS BEFORE RUNOFF!

Fishing Spots - Bow River



Still one of the nicest places.



Saturday Seminar - April 5

What’s Going On With The Bow

Everyone has a lot of questions as to how the Bow has changed since the flood events of 2013.

Kevin Peterson and Jeff Thomson will discuss how things have changed, ways to fish it, you name it.
Questions are a big part of this seminar so don’t be shy.

You can also check out Seminar topics at our web site – www.countrypleasures.com – by following the links to Seminars.
All seminars start at 10:00 am and will end between 11:00 and noon. There is no charge and no pre-registration required. Simply drop by the shop and enjoy the seminar.

Bow River Access Maps

Our newly designed Bow River Access Map/Hatch Chart just arrived!

Available at the shop.....and they're free!

Autumn on the Bow

Mike Guinn took these photos while guiding late last week. Everything is very pretty (with the exception of Guinn) on the river right now. And with this extended warm weather we a ctually get to see the fall colors for a little longer than usual!

Dam Control Finally Understood

On a fairly constant basis since mid-June of this year (and in previous years) we keep getting asked "Who controls the dams releases at Bearspaw, Ghost, etc.?"  What are they thinking? Who do we complain to? Why does the river come up 15-20% at night? We could go on and on....you get the idea.

Well, after exhaustive research, we have finally found the Transalta employee who has total control and domination over our sport and industry on the lower Bow River..........

It all makes sense now!

All Hail!!!! Brown Trout That Look Up!

Guided day on the Bow:  $500
Dozen flies: $30
Tip: $50
Chubby Chernobyl with Teeth Marks: Priceless!!!!!

Way to go Randy!

Outdated, Old News, Tired Out, Retro Videos

From last year.... to get us all in the mood for cool things to come!

Bugs!

Welcome news for those of us who like to fish dry flies! The above pictured critter has been

kicking around on the river for a little while now with very good numbers this past weekend.

I realize we'll likely get in trouble with the experts, but this is not a Golden Stone, they are

Skwala Stoneflies. There's enough of them around to make it worth while throwing a dry! 

Certain Bow River fish have been rumoured to show a total lack of inhibition with patterns like

the Grillo's Hippie Stomper.....Ah, Foam!

Midges on the river like crazy as well. And with the forecast cloud cover later this week the BWO's

should be rather insane!

Don't mean to completely pick anyone out but we do have a while before we see the ever wonderful

PMD hatch on the Bow.

Should only be 3 or 4 weeks until we see the Caddis! Keep your fingers crossed

for good water conditions. Based on the way the fish have been looking up, if we get caddis

with anything approaching decent visibility and levels....yikes!