Bow River Camp

Alberta’s Bow River is among North America’s most unique trophy trout systems. Flowing right through Calgary and its 1.2 million residents, it is a river where you can catch a great big brown trout sipping caddis in the shade of a skyscraper. The Bow is also the home waters of master guide, fly tyer, and chef Aaron Coldwell. For the month of August, Aaron sets up a very special canvas tent camp 25 miles downstream of Calgary on an idyllic piece of private property alongside the river. Here the river has cut a beautiful canyon into the vast prairie. There are eagles, herons, osprey, mink, and moose and the sights and sounds of the city seem a thousand miles away. Aaron’s Bow River Camp offers an easy to reach three-day two-night program where guests fish from custom jet boats rowed by expert guides. Casting hoppers and streamers toward the banks produces hearty, hard-fighting rainbows and browns in the 14–to 22-inch class with the chance for significantly larger fish each day. Up to six guests stay in double and single occupancy center-poled canvas tents with cots, carpets, and lighting. Meals are exceptional and all flies, most of which are designed and personally tied by Aaron, are provided as part of the package.

The Bow lends itself to a wide range of tactics and techniques. The foundation of this trip entails two anglers fishing from custom jet boats that are being rowed downstream. The boats are well designed for bow and stern anglers, making it easy for both anglers to fish at the same time. A good portion of one’s fishing time will be spent fishing towards the banks. This can be done with dries, dry-dropper rigs, streamers, and special leech rigs. The river also has lots of nice choppy riffles and drop-offs that nymph well, and some long classic pieces of swing water that trout Spey anglers enjoy. Typically, boats will only be under jet power to reach the top of a beat or to return to camp at day’s end.

Anglers that like to wade fish should make that known to the crew and up to 30% of one’s fishing time can be spent wading if requested. Guests should bring waders but under normal conditions most of the wading is wet wading.

The core of the camp’s program is based on two 15-mile beats of water. One is above camp and the other is below. While these 30 miles are the foundation of the program, there are beats further upstream near town as well as an additional downstream beat that can come into the rotation when needed or requested.

Outdoor dining is the norm when the weather is good and there is a dining tent if conditions are less friendly. Aaron is not only the head guide but a highly trained chef as well. While the dining scene is very casual, the food is outstanding. Pizza-war night is a favorite where a wide variety of delicious pizzas are brought out piping hot one at time for guests to enjoy and comment on. Taco-war night is similar and equally spectacular. Lunches are excellent and in addition to sandwiches there are lot of fresh greens and other delicious items served bento-box style. The coffee they serve is strong and good and the coolers tend to be loaded with flavored bubbly waters as opposed to sodas.

The camp has two large double occupancy center-pole canvas tents and two smaller single occupancy tents of the same design. The tents have lights, carpeted floors, a small table, cots and pillows. Guests bring their own sleeping bags. There is an outdoor shower, and a small, tented river toilet. 

Day 1: Arrive Calgary and independently transfer the Calgary South Macleod Trail  Holiday Inn and Suites.

Day 2: Meet at Fishtales Fly Shop at 8:00 AM, and transfer to the river. Unpack and fish a full day. Overnight at camp.

Day 3: Full day guided fishing, overnight at camp.

Day 4: Full day of guided fishing then transfer back to Fishtales Fly Shop. Then independently transfer back to your elected accommodations.

Day 5: Fly home.

2024 Rate: Per person based on double occupancy

2 night/3 day package: $2,500

Included: Tent accommodations, meals on the river, non-alcoholic beverages, guided fishing, flies, rods and reels, transportation to the river

Not Included: Alcoholic beverages, Alberta fishing license, gratuities, accommodations in Calgary the night before/after the trip, meals the night before and after the trip

Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout

Season: August

Capacity: 6 guests

Location: Bow River Camp is located on private property on the banks of the Bow River, guests will start their trip at Fish Tales Fly Shop in Calgary, Alberta.

Time: Mountain Standard Time

What are the top reasons to go?

• Fish for high quality wild rainbows and browns on Alberta’s remarkable Bow River
• Enjoy a comfortable, rustic, riverside tent camp on private property
• Fish drift-boat style from custom jet boats that your guides will row downstream
• Experience a two-night, three-day trip that is easy to reach and fishes well in August
• Enjoy excellent meals and a friendly, fun, highly skilled staff

Who is best suited to this destination? This is a great destination for both beginning/intermediate anglers and advanced anglers. It is a perfect venue to test your existing skills and great place to improve your overall skills. This is a destination best suited to folks who enjoy rustic camping, high quality wild fish, a playful casual camp culture, and fishing to banks from boats.

Where is the lodge? The camp is located 25 miles SE of downtown Calgary on a piece of private land on the Bow River in Alberta, Canada.

How do I get there? Guests will fly to Calgary International Airport (YYC), and then overnight at the Calgary South Trail Holiday Inn & Suites near Fishtales Fly Shop where the trip will start the following morning. Plan for about a thirty minute shuttle from the airport to your hotel (not included in the package rate).

When should I go? August

How will I fish? The Bow lends itself to a wide range of tactics and techniques. The foundation of this trip entails two anglers fishing from custom jet boats that are being rowed downstream. The boats are well designed for bow and stern anglers, making it easy for both anglers to fish at the same time. A good portion of one’s fishing time will be spent fishing towards the banks. This can be done with dries, dry-dropper rigs, streamers, and special leech rigs. The river also has lots of nice choppy riffles and drop-offs that nymph well, and some long classic piece of swing water that trout Spey anglers enjoy. Typically, boats will only be under jet power to reach the top of a beat or to return to camp at day’s end.

Is there wade fishing? Yes, there is wade fishing. Anglers that really like to wade fish should make that known to the crew and up to 30% of one’s fishing time can be spent wading if requested. Guests should bring waders but under normal conditions most of the wading is wet wading.

Where will I fish? The core of the camp’s program is based on two 15-mile beats of water. One is above camp and the other is below. While these 30 miles are the foundation of the program, there are beats further upstream near town as well as an additional downstream beat that can come into the rotation when needed or requested.  

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? When fishing from camp downstream, guests will be fishing immediately. When fishing upstream from camp, anglers might jet for 20-25 minutes before beginning the downriver float.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? The Bow has wild browns and rainbows. They tend to be robust, healthy, hard-fighting fish, and many are in the 14-to 22-inch class. Considerably larger fish are also present.

How many fish will I catch? The Bow, like many rivers, has highly variable catch rates that are often linked to the weather and conditions at hand. Getting skunked is a true rarity. 6-12 fish per person per day is considered a good day and they have a plenty of great days as well.

Will I see other anglers? Yes. Calgary is a big city on a world-class river. With that said, the beats that you will focus on have far less pressure than the town sections and the river is remarkably scenic with plenty of wildlife and virtually no trash. When you are in camp watching the eagles and herons soar, and listing to the coyotes howl, it is hard to imagine you are near a major city.

What are the guides like? Owner and head-guide Aaron Caldwell is a master guide (and chef) and his crew is comprised of top-drawer professionals who are gifted at working with anglers of all skill levels.

What are the physical demands? None to speak of as long as you can get in and out of a boat and can sleep comfortably in a cot.

Are there any special skills required? None are required but folks who can get a fly tight to the bank are often rewarded for their presentations.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge is happy to provide all flies, leaders, rods, and reels. Folks are more than welcome to bring their own gear and they must provide their own wading gear.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? The two outfits to have are a 9-foot 5-weight and a 9-foot 6-weight, both with floating lines. At times a 10-15 sink tip for the 6-weight might be useful.

What are the top flies? In August, hoppers, leeches, blue-winged-olives, and caddis are the dominant bugs. The camp has specific patterns that they are very happy to provide as part of your package. 

What are the options if water conditions become challenging? The main challenge on the Bow is possibility of warm water temperatures. In the event this becomes an issue, the camp might move to an early start-time schedule. High winds and squalls are always possible on the prairie and the outfitter will mage those issues case by case, always prioritizing guest safety.

What is a typical day like? This trip is very agile and adapts to the conditions at hand. If the weather is unseasonably hot, very early departures should be expected to take advantage of the best fishing and cooler water temperatures. Under normal conditions a more standard schedule with breakfast around 7 AM can be expected. This crew will create the schedule that is needed to show you the best of the Bow.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere and style of the lodge? This is a fun casual camp that is also well organized and highly efficient. Campfires, beers, and bocce ball are often part of the evening routine.

Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge? Yes. Aaron Caldwell is always on site and oversees all elements of the operation.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Outdoor dining is the norm when the weather is good and there is a dining tent if conditions are less friendly. Aaron is not only the head guide but a highly trained chef as well. While the dining scene is very casual, the food is outstanding. Pizza-war night is a favorite where a wide variety of delicious pizzas are brought out piping hot one at time for guests to enjoy and comment on. Taco-war night is similar and equally spectacular. Lunches are excellent and in addition to sandwiches there are lot of fresh greens and other delicious items served bento-box style. The coffee they serve is strong and good and the coolers tend to be loaded with flavored bubbly waters as opposed to sodas. Really excellent food overall.

What is the alcohol policy? Bring your own and whatever you like. They have lots of ice and cooler space.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? The camp has two large double occupancy center-pole canvas tents and two smaller single occupancy tents of the same design. The tents have lights, carpeted floors, a small table, cots and pillows. Guests bring their own sleeping bags. There is an outdoor shower, and a small, tented river toilet. 

Is there internet and/or cell service? Most guests get one bar of cell service in camp. Texting tends to work, and reception is often better at certain location out on the river during the fishing day. There is no Wifi. The camp also has a charging station.

Are there other activities? No, this is a fishing camp.

Are there any other expenses? Guests need to arrive with their Alberta fishing license, alcohol, accommodations the night before and after the trip, transportation to/from the airport, and gratuity which averages $400 per person. $100 per person per day

Do I need a visa? No, you only need a passport.

Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? Life on the prairie is characterized by quickly changing weather conditions. Be ready for dynamic weather. Also expect some mosquitoes and coyotes howling at night.

We recommend that guests always consult with the U.S. Department of State and the Center For Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.