Fishing the Mountains

EmeraldLake <http://www.field.ca/yohonationalpark/emeraldlake/>  is the most popular fishing destination in YohoNational Park. Boat rentals are available at the Emerald Sports boathouse. Brook Char and Rainbow Trout are a frequent catch.

 

LakeO’Hara <http://www.field.ca/yohonationalpark/lakeohara/> has very limited visitor access; boat rentals are available at the Lake O’Hara Lodge.

 

WaptaLake is easily accessible from the Trans Canada Highway on the east end of the park and offers good lake trout fishing.

 

SherbrookeLake, a moderate 3km (2 mile) uphill hike whose trailhead starts opposite WaptaLake, is also a great place to find lake trout.

 

While the season is VERY limited due to its high altitude MoraineLake was once stocked with trout (back in the early 1900’s) and is one of Banff National Parks best kept secret. There are spotted, bull, and rainbow trout.

 

Fly fishing is popular on the KickingHorseRiver west of the Field townsite. Fishing is permitted from the confluence of the Kicking Horse and Yoho rivers downstream to the park boundary. Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout, Brook Char, Dolly Varden, and Whitefish are all common catches in the KickingHorseRiver.

 

Outside of YohoNational Park, you can also experience, among others, world class fishing on the bow river. The pristine water of the BowRiver, a free stone alpine river, is the main fishery of the immediate area.

 

Fly fishing experience on the lower Bow since 1978, and the upper Bow and southern Alberta streams since 1985, and a background in retail and customer service are combined, to create a memorable, ‘quality’ excursion.

Our fishing season extends from late April to mid October, with late June, July, August and early September offering the best fishing, and the best weather. Not that good weather is really important for catching fish; in fact, some of our best fishing takes place on the truly lousiest weather days.

Typically you can either select a half or full day and either a walk and wade or float trip ranging from about $200 – $500 CAD pp. We typically recommend: http://www.tightlineadventures.com/

flyfishingBowRiver12

And http://www.flyfishingbanff.com/

leadcrop

Walk & Wade trips take place on a variety of waters, including the BowRiver, as well as various lakes and ponds in the immediate area.

The Walk & Wade trip is a unique combination of some very light hiking and a day of glorious fly-fishing. This trip is easily adapted, and customized to your level of experience. This expedition is tailored to ensure novice fishers an increased chance of a hooking up, and to allow skilled anglers a challenging experience.

Though the best fishing occurs when the water is clear and the weather is overcast, our knowledgeable guides have the ability to discern where the fishing is best, based on current conditions. If you prefer one location to another, however, be sure to let your guide know. He will be pleased to accommodate you. Walk & Wade Duration: 4-6 hours fishing time.

The Upper Bow River Full Day float Trip from: In general, the UpperBowRiver is a delightful place for fly-fishing. In addition to possessing an abundance of scenic treasures, this section of the BowRiver boasts a fair amount of brown trout, and is home to a variety of other fish, including cutthroat, bull, and brook trout. Though not as abundant in aquatic life as its southern counterpart, this beautiful area is particularly charitable to those who are familiar with its quirks. Because navigation of the river is difficult, foreigners to the area should seek local advice concerning when and where to fish.

This trip, which is specifically tailored to the BowRiver, is our sole drift boat trip in the waters above Calgary. The Drift Boat trips are exceptional because they combine the guide’s intimate knowledge of the best fishing locales, with their remarkable fly-fishing techniques, which creates an enjoyable and unforgettable experience for our clients.

Despite the peculiarities of this river, the Upper Bow is a spectacular body of water. Brown trout are plentiful in this river, particularly in the region between Canmore and Seebee, where our Drift Boat trips operate. Flanked by the majestic Rocky Mountains, the Upper Bow trip offers a unique and charming fly-fishing experience, which is greatly enhanced by the majesty of the area in which the river flows.

For the more adventurous there is a Remote Walk and Wade Trip. This remote walk and wade trip differs slightly from local Walk & Wade, because each takes place at a different location. Consisting of remote day trips on the Old Man, Crowsnest, Livingstone, or HighwoodRivers. The remote Walk & Wade is designed for the angler who craves a true wilderness fly-fishing experience.

Though the best fishing occurs when the water is clear and the weather is overcast, our knowledgeable guides have the ability to discern where the fishing is best, based on current conditions. If you prefer one location to another, however, be sure to let your guide know. He will be pleased to accommodate you. Remote Walk & Wade Duration: approximately 8-10 hours

 

Great info from Parks Canada:

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/activ5.aspx

 

Open Seasons, etc…

http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/visit/visit14a.aspx