The 2021 season has kicked off with a BIG BANG.

The spring thing is in full affect. Blessed to land this beauty brown a few weeks back on the new G3 jet boat 🤟🤟🎣🎣

This fish I titled "sweet redemption". Two of my clients had hooked this fish the two previous guided fishing trips but were unable to bring it to my awaiting net. On the third trip (a night trip), my friends daughter finally landed this illusive, golden buttery brown.

While some of the most famous and best fishing spots are right outside the back door, the Bow River is still a bit of a mystery. Even those who fish it daily say that it can be variable at times. Thomas Cutmore, Calgary fishing guide and owner of Must Be Nice Drift Company, says that the size of the fish is probably the river’s only consistent attribute. The river is known for its “great fish and great unpredictability. “The best advice I can give is to concentrate on parts of the river with character -- variations in depth, current speed and direction, bottom type and surface type.” Cutmore says that anglers need to be especially versatile. Dry flies, nymphs and streamers are generally the best bet for brown trout, he says, and use equipment somewhat heavier than for lake fishing. If you’re fishing from shore, he suggests a mid-weight setup. In a boat, you could take along both a lighter and a heavier weight. Go heavy because these are not your standard size trout, and they fight hard. Early spring can be a tricky time for brown trout. Their eyesight is very good, and usually they take cover and wait for food. When the water is murky, as in the spring, they’ll emerge. Nymph patterns can be very effective then. Into early summer, trout will head for cover. Cutmore says that Streamers are great all year, but especially into early summer. “At this time of year the fish often hold very close to the banks, making early summer the best time for ‘pounding the banks’ from a drift boat. He adds that you need to get right in close, within inches of the banks, when you cast. Retrieve your fly, “just a few feet before being recast.” Further into the summer, your techniques will change. “The Caddis, Blue Winged Olive and Pale Morning Dun hatches are unparalleled for producing large trout, and lots of them. The mid-season hopper hatch offers some very exhilarating and explosive surface action,” Cutmore advises. “Runs, or any water over 6 inches deep right next to the bank will hold trout and drifting a Dave’s or Letort Hopper along the grass will quickly erupt in a splashy battle. Depending on the time of year and conditions, you will have the opportunity to fish streamers, nymphs and dry flies all in the same day for large, strong fish.” There are several fishing guide services who offer trips exclusively on the Bow River, and these people are ideally suited to help you fish the river more efficiently and productively, even if you’re a seasoned Bow River angler. RIVER ACCESS The Calgary to Carseland section of the Bow River is famous for incredible fishing. In this stretch of the river, there are several standard locations for put-in and take-out, giving you choices for your trips from a couple of hours to a full day on the water. These are labelled on the map, and described in the table. The upper section of the river, from Kananaskis to Calgary, offers some of the world’s best back-stream fishing. That section offers an entirely different character of fishing than the urban lower section.

Good things come to those who wade. A nice fall day on the bow river

The sheer thrill of watching this young man reel in this amazing 27 inch brown trout is the reason I decided to become a fishing guide !!!

My long time client and good friend Wally smiles for the camera after I netted his big brown trout prize on the day. The smile on his face is the reward I am after !!! Such a great trip with many great memories had on the day's adventure !!

Winter fishing the Bow River can be the best season to land epic brown trout like this one pictured here. Siv and I hiked down river in search of massive browns. The mighty Bow River gave up the goods once again.

Shortly after my friend Siv and I launched my jet boat at Policeman's Flats, we headed downriver in search of some large brown trout the Bow River is famous for. I pulled the boat off on shore to retie my line, and Siv pulled this huge 28 inch tank to the boat.