Fly Fishing on the Bow River – It’s All About Perspective

Perspective

by Luke Russell, Fly Fishing Guide

I truly enjoy taking clients out on the Bow River. For clients, often times their main goal is to catch a fish and have a good time. That’s a great objective but I see an opportunity for so much more. I like to think of the Bow River as a space to catch my breath and gain a new perspective.

It’s astonishing to look up and see an eagle soaring in the clear blue sky or watch a deer quench its thirst on the riverbank. Close your eyes and hear the crashing of the waves on the rocks. Catch a glimpse of a mink that’s come out from the rocks. Run your fingers through the water. Mistakenly think a moose resting is a tree stump. Smell the sweet aroma distinctive to the Bow River.  Feel a drop of water from a potential rainstorm and you have to pull over to hang out in the trees while you wait for it to pass. People often forget that we’re in the Bow valley surrounded by other animals as well.

When I go fishing, I like to take a few moments to just breathe and take in my surroundings. These moments make me forget about everything going on in the world, all my problems or worries seem to disappear. I feel a sense of being at home, a sense of belonging…a level of carefree that can’t be found anywhere else. That’s why I go fly fishing a lot…because it takes my stress away. If a client happens to lose a fish and feels disappointed, I like to remind them that it’s not only about the fishing…it’s about so much more.

So just remember when you’re on your fly fishing trip with Scott, Kevin or myself, to take a look around you and take it all in because you’re in a pretty special place and don’t forget to breathe.