Where to go fishing around calgary - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

thewhirlingdervish · 05-25-2009, 12:26 PM

so i was thinking of getting away this week to do a lil day fishing trip.

don't have a boat, but was hoping that anyone knows of good fishing spots.

have been to the spray lakes areas but haven't caught anything up there in a couple of tries...

anyone have any suggestions?

Rerun · 05-25-2009, 12:46 PM

Good idea for a thread.

I thought this thread http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=72226 was about the same topic, but it wasn't.

I hear the fishing is supposed to be pretty good by the dam at Carsland but I can't officially confirm that as I've never been there. The only fishing I've ever done is in the Bow River here in the city but I've never caught anything yet. I have seen numerous fly fishermen fishing in the stretch that you can see when you pass over the Bow R on the Glenmore Trail bridge. Not sure how successful they are though.

Yeah_Baby · 05-25-2009, 12:56 PM

I like to go on 16th just west of the Deerfoot at the crest of that hill.

Kipper is King · 05-25-2009, 01:50 PM

Wedge Pond in Kananaskis. Gorgeous spot! I have only been fishing out there a couple times, and have not caught anything, but other people say it's not too bad there.

Here's a nice photo my dad took of me fishing there last summer.

I love it out there! It's also just a great spot to have a picnic and chill!

troutman · 05-25-2009, 01:52 PM

The first rule about fishing, is don't talk about fishing holes.

Yeah_Baby · 05-25-2009, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

The first rule about fishing, is don't talk about fishing holes.

So you're the Tyler Durden of Calgary fishing scene?

Tron_fdc · 05-25-2009, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

So you're the Tyler Durden of Calgary fishing scene?

Pretty much. There's an underground fish club on here if you look hard enough.

Rerun · 05-25-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutman

The first rule about fishing, is don't talk about fishing holes.

How many fishing spots have you found on your own?

I bet every area you go to, somebody has told you about.... maybe not always the exact spot you use... but I'm sure they told you the name of the lake or pond or river or stream and approximately where abouts on that particular body of water.

Come on ... give the guy a little bit of help. Fishing is a great sport but it sure is discouraging to always come back with nothing in your bag because you don't have a clue about where the fish are.

JD · 05-25-2009, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rerun

I hear the fishing is supposed to be pretty good by the dam at Carstairs but I can't officially confirm that as I've never been there.

I think you mean Carseland. The reservoir above the weir there has world class fly fishing. I remember a few years ago it was a big deal that George Bush Sr. was in town to try his hand in that area.

Apparently the effluent from the water treatment plant in Calgary created the ultimate environment for trout breeding. That's part of what makes the Bow so good for fishing.

I've seen a lot of people pulling fish from the Bow in Fish Creek Park too.

Rerun · 05-25-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD

I think you mean Carseland. The reservoir above the weir there has world class fly fishing. I remember a few years ago it was a big deal that George Bush Sr. was in town to try his hand in that area.

Apparently the effluent from the water treatment plant in Calgary created the ultimate environment for trout breeding. That's part of what makes the Bow so good for fishing.

I've seen a lot of people pulling fish from the Bow in Fish Creek Park too.

Yep... I meant Carseland... my mistake. I'll fix my original post. Thanks for picking that up.

troutman · 05-25-2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD

Apparently the effluent from the water treatment plant in Calgary created the ultimate environment for trout breeding. That's part of what makes the Bow so good for fishing.

As I understand it, the effluent is beneficial for insects, the main food for trout. Many rainbow trout actually leave the Bow to spawn in tributaries of the Highwood River (right about now until mid June). Brown trout are present all year, and spawn in the Bow in the fall.

http://bowriver.org/

http://flyfisherman.com/westerncanada/jmbowriver/

The benchmark for bragging-sized trout in North American streams is 20 inches. On most streams, 20-inchers are rare or nonexistent; on a few streams they are occasional, pleasant surprises. On the Bow River below Calgary, they are expected. The size of its fish has been perhaps the only constant on this river known for both great fish and great unpredictability. The Bow below Calgary produces larger average trout than virtually any other stream in North America. It continues to give capable fly-fishers many rainbows and browns between 20 and 24 inches long.

Good resources - get the annual Alberta Fishing Guide by Barry Mitchell.

BOSSY · 05-25-2009, 04:04 PM

I'd agree with Troutman... but if you have a good one to share then I'd share one.

Hevishot · 05-25-2009, 04:15 PM

Secret Creek. In the no telly basin

troutman · 05-25-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hevishot

Secret Creek. In the no telly basin

A tributary of Frenchman's Creek.

You Need a Thneed · 05-25-2009, 04:22 PM

Bass Pro Shops.

They've got a tank full of fish, and all the fishing gear you could ever need! Surely they allow you to try out the gear before you buy it right?

05-25-2009, 04:29 PM

Great fishing on the Bow in and below the city. Also, up in the Canmore/Banff area.

Send me a PM and ill give you some idea of where to go and what to look for.

Head out to Sibbald Creek/Pond and fish for some Brook Trout. Nice scenery and the fishign can we really good if you know where to look.

P.S. Run-off is just starting on the Bow, not much time.

BOSSY · 05-25-2009, 04:34 PM

The little puddle lakes and wide spots in the flow on the other side of the road from Sibbald Pond all the way up and down have good fishing - Brookies and Rainbows (just little ones) ... But good place to take kids and good place to jump out to on a weekday night - Quiet and amazing scenery...

RougeUnderoos · 05-25-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rerun

How many fishing spots have you found on your own?

I bet every area you go to, somebody has told you about.... maybe not always the exact spot you use... but I'm sure they told you the name of the lake or pond or river or stream and approximately where abouts on that particular body of water.

Come on ... give the guy a little bit of help. Fishing is a great sport but it sure is discouraging to always come back with nothing in your bag because you don't have a clue about where the fish are.

A buddy of mine is a fly fishing guide and even he won't tell his clients where the best spots are. People fly in from all over and pay serious money to fish with his outfit (is that the word?) and they get the B Tour.

Of course he doesn't tell them this.

4X4 · 06-10-2009, 11:34 AM

Muahaha. I don't catch and release. I catch and BBQ. Me and a buddy reeled these bad boys in last night:

Mike Oxlong · 06-10-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

Muahaha. I don't catch and release. I catch and BBQ. Me and a buddy reeled these bad boys in last night:

Nice work. So are you going to divuldge the secret location?

I need to get out and do some fishing real soon. We used to go down the the Resevoir and fish from shore with mixed results. At least it is close and convenient to get to on a weeknight.

You can head out to Travers Reservoir by Vulcan and it has decent fishing. Boat rentals are available if needed.