Bow River Fly Fishing: Anticipation for the 2024 Season
By Scott Smith, Lead Guide
As the season begins, I’m already excited for the 2024 guiding campaign. Experiencing a mild off-season in the Calgary area, plenty of winter trout pics fill my social feeds daily. I’m not a winter fly fisher, but I certainly appreciate the need to get on the water at every opportunity. Perhaps tomorrow will be the day?
Life as a Bow River Guide
Feeling extremely fortunate, I am among an amazing group of outfitters and guides working on the Bow River. Being on the river almost daily, I’ve met and worked with so many great people. Loving our guiding community, we support one another. Each guide brings a different perspective, always with the guest’s success top of mind for the day. In recent travels, I’ve been lucky enough to visit some sought-after trout waters in Montana and Idaho the past two seasons. While adventuring the Henrys Fork and the Bighorn Rivers, I was guided by some top-notch pros.
What Defines a Great Fly Fishing Guide?
Regarding engagement and communication, I value guides and outfitters that ask many questions. From the first hello, I hope to connect and have an easy conversation with potential guests. After all, when you book a float, you’re going to be stuck in a drift boat with each other for a solid 8 hours or more. During our initial chat, I ask questions to paint a picture of your ultimate day. Once we discuss it together, I can plan your unique trip down the river. Even if booking online, we ensure we build your trip based on shared expectations. Once we’re on the water, I appreciate a guide who leads with confidence.
Discovering the Passion of Fly Fishing
Talking about passion, if you’re discussing your trip with the outfitter, you can just tell they love what they do. The best guides I know bring the same passion and excitement on Day 100 of the season as they do on Day One. Despite the challenges, guides get tired. We’re out there for long days, preparing lunches, washing boats, adjusting gear, and sleeping. However, my motivation comes every morning when I meet the guests for the day. Your excitement and anticipation energize me and keep me fresh. During the float, I love to see you hook up trout, but I also celebrate seeing you make that perfect cast or lead a dry fly perfectly into a big brown.
Building Skills and Patience in Fly Fishing
Considering skill and patience, I’ve been fishing with a fly rod for a long time but I’m always learning. Each outing with a fellow guide, or experienced guest, teaches me something new. Great guides help you with your game no matter where you are on your fishy journey. Taking moments to teach, skilled guides can turn a good day into a great one by improving casting, presentation, rigging techniques, or just reading the water.
Gaining Knowledge and Experience on the Water
With a focus on knowledge and experience, your guide should have good historic knowledge of the water they’re guiding. Learning about the area, I enjoy discovering interesting facts about the geography or human history of the places I fish. Additionally, your guide needs to know the river intimately along with the bug life.
Flexibility and Preparation in Guiding
Starting my guiding journey, I learned the importance of flexibility. Your guide should be well-prepared with the right gear and flies, and also for unexpected issues like broken rods, reels, line failures, and weather events. Being prepared for mishaps is part of good guiding. It’s perfectly okay to ask what safety and contingency gear is on board.
Character Traits of a Successful Guide
In terms of character, it goes beyond showing up on time and having a clean vehicle and boat. When I’m on the water, I’ve learned to relax and let the day unfold, taking what the river offers while respecting the guest vibe. I ensure my guests are enjoying every part of their trip genuinely. Maintaining respect for all, it’s also important that guides never speak poorly about other guides on the river and practice etiquette beyond expectations.
How to Be a Great Fly Fishing Guest
Being upfront about your expectations helps us tailor your adventure. Assessing your skills realistically avoids misunderstandings and ensures a more enjoyable experience. Staying curious, asking lots of questions, and not being afraid to explore new techniques can significantly enhance your learning and enjoyment on the water.
Making the Most of Your Fishing Trip
Encouraging fun, remember, this is fishing in a beautiful river valley. The atmosphere is relaxed, there is little to no cell service, and the guides think they’re funny. Enjoy every minute including the impossible tangles, missed fish, and casts in the trees!
Make Your Fly Fishing Trip Memorable
Embracing every moment, remember, this is fishing in a picturesque river valley. The relaxed atmosphere, the minimal cell service, and the humor of the guides all contribute to a unique experience. Enjoy every aspect, including the challenging tangles, the one that got away, and even the occasional tree snag.
Plan Your Adventure on the Bow River
As we look forward to a new season, I hope it holds many adventures for you. If a Bow River float is on your agenda, check us out to see if we’re a good fit and get in touch! We’d love to have you out to wet a line and share some stories.
