A River Runs Through Canmore
 
To the west of Calgary is a jewel of a wild trout river that flows out of the glaciers of Banff National Park and carves its way east in the shadows of the majestic frontal range of the Canadian Rockies, to the town of Canmore. This is the Bow River, as beautiful a stretch of water as you are likely to see and fish.

Canmore, on the Upper Bow, offers tremendous dry fly fishing opportunities all summer long. Nearby are many small lakes and ponds - as well as the Spray Lakes above town - that will entice fishers of all sorts including Ice Fishing enthusiasts.

Most locals here practice catch and release, and with some species (like the bull trout in the Bow) the fish must be set free in order to maintain the population. It's always a good idea to check the regulations before heading to the water. To find out about what flies are hatching, and what the fish are biting on - a visit to the local fly shop is a must. Gear, guides and gossip (of a fishy nature) are also available here.

There are plenty of places to tangle with trout right near town (even right in town - the river flows just past the end of Main Street) and the long summer days make it possible to fish for about 20 hours of every 24 - if one were so inclined.

Local outfitters will lead the way to where the fish are. A variety of trip lengths will satisfy every fisher - half-day to multi-day trips are easily available from Canmore's guides. Lessons will help get beginners into the rhythm before taking to the river. A common sight at the local fly shop in summer is watching new fly fishers casting on the lawn.

The Upper Bow River offers scenery to soothe the soul, unfettered access to the river, and fishing to excite the senses. Canmore offers a warm welcome and a relaxed mountain lifestyle. If fishing is a metaphor for life, then this just might be the place to settle in, fish the river, and figure it all out.

The wild brown trout of the Upper Bow enjoy the following seasonal menus:

May: Midges, Large (Mother's Day) Caddisfly, Pale-Morning Dun Mayflies, Hendriksons, Blue-Winged Olive. Sub-surface, large numbers of Golden Stoneflies are very active and available to fish.

June (dependent on run-off volume): Blue-Winged Olives, Pale-Morning Duns, March Browns, Golden Stonefly (there's a huge migration in mid- to late June), Caddis.

July: Tail end of Golden Stones, Great-Western Green Drakes (Size 6 and 8, usually by week two), Blue Duns, Grey Drakes (end of month), Caddis.

August: Blue Duns, Slate-Winged Olives, Brown Drakes, Lesser-Green Drakes, Caddis (assorted), Midges.

September: Blue-Winged Olives, Giant Caddis, Pencil Caddis, Midges, and late-month Tricos.