Beginners Fly Fishing - Bow River Fly Fishing

How Fly Fishing Supports Mental Health: A Personal Perspective from the River

June 3, 2025/in Beginners Fly Fishing, Bow River, Calgary, Drift Boat Fishing, Fly Fishing Tips

A Personal Take on Mental Health

We hear a lot about mental health and how important it is. I’ve always found this hard to quantify. I have good moments and not so great moments every day. In my previous work life, prolonged periods of stress just became the normal part of my daily routine. I never realized the negative effects of being “on” all the time and accepted the way it was, as normal. I tend to equate mental health with stress levels and I’m certainly no expert. I do, however, know where I like my thoughts to be and what brings me peace.

Why Fly Fishing?

Fly fishing has always given me a great release. In the beginning I couldn’t tell you exactly why I enjoyed it so much but I suppose it was the tug on the line that kept me coming back, but it’s so much more. I can’t tell you what fly fishing will do for your mental health, but now that I’ve been at it for many years as a fly fisher and the last nine years as a guide and teacher, I can make some observations you might identify with. Maybe fly fishing can be your escape or temporary release.

The Therapeutic Cast

The fly cast is therapeutic. The focus on the right mechanics and the pursuit of the perfect cast through repetition and finding control relaxes the brain and the body. Some days the fish just don’t matter and practicing the cast either while I’m fishing or on the soccer field puts me in the moment. Everything else disappears.

Cracking the Code and Solving the Puzzle

Cracking the code takes focus and problem solving skills. What are the fish eating? Where in the water are they holding? What is the right fly choice? What is the best way to present the fly? Asking questions, observing the environment and deciding on the approach can be wonderfully complex and all encompassing. I love figuring it all out, especially on water I’ve never fished before.

The Joy of Anticipation

Anticipation is a big part of the excitement. Anticipation for the next trip, the next bite, what’s around the next corner, who I’m fly fishing with etc. Fly fishing is all about the anticipation for big and small moments. You never know which ones will create lasting memories.

Preparation as Meditation

Preparation for the day. This one isn’t for everyone, but I love organizing my fly boxes, making sure my leaders are fresh, my rigs are solid and the drift boat is washed, packed and ready. When I’m preparing to guide, it just reminds me I’m here and I get to work at what I love doing. For me the preparation is a big piece of the anticipation of what’s to come.

Watching the Water: Stalking Rising Fish

Stalking rising fish. I love to just observe rising trout to discover their rhythm, what they’re feeding on, how they move and turn on their prey. I learn so much and my brain stays completely focused and on task.

Learning Through Reading

Reading. There is so much history to discover in this sport and so many great authors have captured the beauty of fly fishing along with the great teaching books. I love taking new to me ideas and applying them on the river. I’m always learning and taking steps to improve as a fly fisher, a guide and a teacher. The journey to be better and continue learning will never end.

Time with People

While guiding and out with friends it’s all about some good laughs and celebrating the wins. We’re learning, hooking a few fish, taking in the landscape and just enjoying the vibe of the day. The best days are the ones that end with someone exclaiming, “Damn I needed that!”

Time without People

Sometimes I don’t tell anyone that I’ve even gone fishing. I head out with Hopper (the dog) and we just explore and fish. No one around, No Social Media Posts, No Pictures. Hopper often gets back in the truck at the end of the day with a satisfying sigh that says “Damn I needed that!”

Your Own Fly Fishing Story

You’ll have your own reasons to pick up a fly rod. If you haven’t experienced it, try it. If it’s been a while, dust it off and head to the river. All I know is I’m never disappointed by a day outside, especially with a fly rod by my side.

Deep Water Nymphing: A Guide’s Perspective

February 25, 2025/in Beginners Fly Fishing, Bow River, Drift Boat Fishing, Fly Fishing Tips, Walk and Wade

Mastering the Art of Deep Water Nymphing on the Bow River

By Scott Smith, Lead Guide

We are fortunate to have a damn fine fishery on the Bow River. Like many larger rivers, we enjoy opportunities to fish our choice of methods and experience success. As an outfitter, our little operation works with a lot of pure first-timers, and I like starting new fly fishers with Deep Water Nymphing.

Why Deep Water Nymphing Works for Beginners

A Simple Approach to Fly Fishing Success

I start guests off by teaching a water-loaded, tight-line flip cast (I made that up, but that’s how it looks to me). Guests pick it up very quickly, and we’re headed down the river in short order. Many other guides teach the same way, and it certainly isn’t anything I invented. Rod movement, line placement, and mending mechanics get easier as the float progresses. Our new, or mostly new, fly fishers are hooking trout and building confidence as we go. Most importantly, they’re having a great time!

Avoiding Casting Frustration

Earlier in my career, I chose to start new fly fishers with some dry-land casting the way I was taught. Rod stop, acceleration, tight and tailing loops….blah, blah, blah….No fun at all. Mostly confusing and a recipe for guest frustration. Yes, we need to learn good casting skills, but not on a rookie float.

Get the line in the water, hook a few fish, and leave guests motivated to learn more. Proper casting mechanics be damned!

Deep Water Nymphing Techniques for Experienced Anglers

The Difference Between Wading and Drift Boat Nymphing

We also see many local folks who just haven’t had any “luck” on the Bow River but definitely have casting skill and know their way around a drift. There is a difference between wading and nymphing from the drift boat.

Drift boat nymphing: The boat is moving, and the guide compensates for current speeds to help that indicator float Au Natural.
Wading nymphing: The wading angler has more work to do—breaking down current lines, changing angles, adjusting depths, mending continuously, and controlling rod movement for a good presentation.

The Best Deep Water Nymphing Setups

Let’s start with some set ups. During lessons we work on some basic rigging. There is no magic to our deep nymph lines and the guides I work with all have different variations they prefer. I am going to share what works for my guests to put fish in the net.

Rig #1: The Barrel Swivel Rig

One of my go-to setups involves:

A #7 barrel swivel with split shot added above it as needed.
16” to the first fly and another 10” to 12” to the point fly.
A meaty top bug (e.g., wire worm, chenille worm, wooly bugger, leech, etc.) secured with a non-slip loop knot on the first bug to secure it to the swivel and to the point fly. This way the top bug is presented in line and tangles are reduced.
A smaller point fly (sizes 12-20 tungsten beads) that reflects the dominant bug of the season, such as Pheasant Tails, Brown Hare’s Ears, Olive Hare’s Ears, Prince Nymphs, Frenchies (Pats Rubber Legs, TJ Hooker, will often be the top bug during stone fly season or high water).

Rig #2: The Drop Shot Rig

The drop-shot rig is another effective setup but is more prone to tangles, especially for first-time fly fishers. The key benefits include:

Triple surgeon’s knots to create tags no longer than 4 inches. I will tell you straight up, I don’t use this often because it often tangles like crazy with first time fly fishers.
A more consistent depth during the drift.
The ability to adjust flies based on fish preference—if one fly is working better, we swap the other accordingly.

Keep in mind, we’ll often experience fish taking one bug over the other, so If we’re having a tangly day, I’ll just take the other bug off the line. But, if we’re managing the rig well, I’ll either put the same bug in a different size, or adjust to something completely different.

Choosing the Right Flies for Deep Water Nymphing

Seasonal Bug Selection and Hatch Charts

I’m on the water nearly every day, and patterns develop. Sometimes this is a good thing and sometimes it means I get blinded by what I’m supposed to know. Observe and fish to what is, not what you think it should be. But even for seasoned anglers, a hatch chart is your best friend. It helps predict the dominant bug pupa for the season, even if no hatch is currently happening.

One of my favorites? A brown hare’s ear as a point fly because Caddis Pupa are present from May through October.

Adapting to Water Conditions

Water conditions fluctuate due to dam management, rain, or both. These conditions impact what’s drifting in the river:

Murky, high water: Dislodged leeches, aquatic worms, stoneflies—so try a Wire Worm or Wooly Bugger dead drifted.
Stable water levels: Follow the hatch chart and match dominant seasonal bugs.

Adjusting Depth and Weight for the Perfect Presentation

Finding the Right Depth

On the Bow River, I use deep nymph rigs for water deeper than 4 feet. For slower water under 4 feet, these rigs tend to snag more, so I prefer a hopper-dropper or naked nymph setup.

Adjust your indicator depth often, especially while wading. When fishing a drop-off shelf:

Use a shallower setup at the transition.
Deepen the rig as you fish the heart of the run.

Fine-Tuning Your Weight

If fish are holding in the run but not biting, you may not be deep enough. Adding weight helps get flies in the strike zone faster.

On the other hand, if your rig snags constantly, you may be too heavy. A little trial and error go a long way.

Mastering Line Control and Drift

Tips for a Natural Drift

Shorter casts = more control. Move your feet instead of making long hero casts.
Keep your rod high and follow the indicator with the current.
Mend as needed, not just once. Adjust and move the rod downstream with the drift.
Vary casting angles and drift lanes. Repeating the same drift with no success? Change it up!
Set on everything! If your indicator twitches, hesitates, or moves sideways—set the hook!

Summary: Why Deep Water Nymphing Works

Deep Water Nymphing is a highly effective method for both beginners and experienced anglers on the Bow River. By using the right rigs, fly selection, depth adjustments, and line control techniques, you can consistently hook trout and improve your success.

Book Your Fly Fishing Adventure Today!

There’s no substitute for time on the water! Whether you’re a beginner looking to hook your first trout or an experienced angler refining your deep-water nymphing skills, a guided trip can make all the difference.

Book your trip today and let’s hit the Bow River!

Learn more about our beginner lessons, guided trips, and educational resources.

A Look Back at the 2024 Fly Fishing Season on the Bow River

November 18, 2024/in Beginners Fly Fishing, Bow River, Drift Boat Fishing, Fall Fly Fishing, Fishing Trips in Alberta, Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing Lessons, Fly Fishing Resource, Spring Fly Fishing, Summer Fly Fishing

By Scott Smith, Lead Guide

Reflecting on a Memorable 2024 Fly Fishing Season

The 2024 season has come and gone way too quickly. Thank you to all our guests, guides, and partners for allowing us to avoid real jobs and get on the water every day! Mother Nature kept river flows steady, water temps cooler, and thwarted the drought conditions we were expecting. Healthy, thick, line-ripping trout let us know they also appreciated the stable conditions. Here’s to big snow in the Rockies this winter!

Grateful for Returning Guests and Community Support

I am beyond grateful for all our returning guests! I was kept extremely busy this season, mostly because you came back for more! Several of you came out for multiple guided days in 2024, which means I need new boat jokes. I’m working on new material in the off-season, so be ready!

We have a fantastic guiding community on the Bow River. As an independent outfitter, we often collaborate with other outfitters and guides for group trips or when our staff guides are fully booked. This community spirit was essential, especially during the busy 2024 season. We’re thankful to work in this vibrant fly fishing community!

Most Popular Fly Fishing Trips of 2024

By far, our most popular float trip was the Half Day Beginner Float, which we’ll continue to offer. We love getting people into our sport, and this is a great place to start. A close second is the Bow River Boot Camp. This combination of our introductory lesson package with a half-day float became a real hit during 2024. I had a ton of fun teaching this past season, and it was great to see so many of our guests on the river afterward, practicing skills and enjoying time on the water.

Advice for Beginners: Keep at It!

The best piece of advice I can give anyone starting out in this sport is to keep at it. Grab that fly rod and figure it out. Make a mess. Find out what you can and can’t do, and always return to the fundamentals to correct casting mistakes. You’ll soon learn to move your feet and where to place that fly for the best drift.

Build Your Fly Fishing Skills and Knowledge

Learn your knots so you can quickly change your fly selection or adjust the size of your bug. Soon, you’ll understand why depth matters more than fly selection, and you’ll figure out how and why to fish one rig over another. While there’s plenty of information available, nothing beats getting out the door and onto the water.

Find Your Fly Fishing Community

My second piece of advice is to find your people. I’ve been fortunate to build friendships with great fly fishers and even better people. Some of the best relationships start with, “You Fly Fish?” There are several clubs and groups you can join to connect with like-minded anglers:

For more resources, visit our Fly Fishing Resources page.

Discovering Your Favorite Fishing Spot

Lastly, find your water. When I began taking fly fishing seriously, I had a spot I’d visit as often as possible. Even today, I head there whenever I get the chance. This area has become my testing ground and foundation for learning about river anatomy. This stretch of water features a shallow riffle, transitions into an inside run, and then flows into a flat before hitting a second riffle. The second riffle dives into a deep run and forms a soft pool off a defined point adjacent to a high bank.

Fishing here at different times and in varying weather conditions taught me where fish hold, what the bug life is doing, and how fish react to different presentations. It’s time well spent for learning and often being humbled.

Looking Ahead to the 2025 Fly Fishing Season

We love being part of your fly fishing journey, and we’ve got some exciting opportunities planned for 2025. We hope you’ll join us on the Bow River! Check out our Guided Fly Fishing Trips for the upcoming season.

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