text by Brad Fenson map by Robert Biron Have It All (part 3) KANANASKIS COUNTRY, Alberta Special K: Chase brookies and take in beautiful vistas The best-kept secret in the Canadian Rockies, Kananaskis Country is often overshadowed by its busier, more commercialized neighbour, Banff National Park. (A notable exception was last summer, when it played host to the G-8 summit.) But this 4,156-square-kilometre swath of rugged countryside—known affectionately among locals as K-Country—doesn’t play second fiddle to anywhere in Canada when it comes to outdoor activities. With its rolling foothills, craggy mountains and emerald-hued lakes, the region boasts a smorgasbord of adventure, whether you get your thrills from landing hefty west-slope cutthroat, riding horses, watching majestic bighorn sheep or hiking, biking and camping amid spectacular scenery. It’s a great family destination to boot, where everyone should find something to keep them busy—and happy. THE HOT SPOTS ANGLING ADVICE 19 Spray Lakes Reservoir (off Smith-Dorrien Road): Lake trout, mountain whitefish 20 Elbow Lake (accessible off Highway 40 in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park): Eastern brook trout 21 Wedge Pond (off Highway 40 near the north end of the region): Arctic grayling 22 Rawson Lake (in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, south of Upper Kananaskis Lake): West-slope cutthroat trout 23 Upper Kananaskis Lake (in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park): Bull and rainbow trout 24 Highwood River (in the south end of the region): Rainbow, brook, bull and west-slope cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish 25 Chester Lake (off Smith-Dorrien Road in the north part of the region): Northern Dolly Varden, west-slope cutthroat trout GETTING THERE From Calgary, follow the Trans-Canada Highway (TCH) west for 80 kilometres to Highway 40, then head south for five kilo-metres to K-Country’s main gate. • Banff Fishing Unlimited, (403) 762-4936 • Green Drake Fly Shop, (403) 678-9522 • Roberts Fly Shop and Fishing Outfitters, (403) 932-5855 • Rocky Mountain Flyfishing, (403) 678-6392 • Southern Alberta Flyfishing Outfitters, (403) 995-6548 • Upper Bow Fly Fishing Company, (403) 760-7668 • Wapiti Sports, (403) 678-9506 • Wild Rose Flyfishing and River Tours, (403) 609-7410 BEYOND FISHING • Golfing: 36-hole Kananaskis Golf Course, 1-877-591-2525 • Whitewater rafting: Kananaskis River Adventures, (403) 678-4919 • Mountain biking: Canmore Nordic Centre Provincial Park, (403) 678-2400 • Hiking: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Lakes Trail and Cat Creek Falls , (403) 591-6322 • Mountain, rock and ice climbing: Yamnuska, (403) 678-4164 • Shopping, dining and hanging out: Kananaskis Village, (403) 673-3985 • Wildlife viewing: Highwood Pass, in south end of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, (403) 591-6322 • Horseback riding: Boundary Ranch, (403) 591-7171 GOINGS ON • Each spring and fall, the largest migration of golden eagles anywhere in the world passes through K-Country, as thousands of the big raptors travel between Alaska and Siberia and the southern U.S. • During the summer, an award-winning program of interpretive nature talks is on offer: Barrier Lake Information Centre, (403) 673-3985; or Friends of Kananaskis Country Society, (403) 678-5500 LEARN MORE • Canmore/Kananaskis Chamber of Commerce, (403) 678-4094; • Kananaskis Country, (403) 678-5508; 1 - HAINES JUNCTION, Yukon Territory 2 - BAMFIELD, B.C. 3 - KANANASKIS COUNTRY, Alberta 4 - LAST MOUNTAIN LAKE, Saskatchewan 5 - WHITESHELL PROVINCIAL PARK, Manitoba 6 - THUNDER BAY, Ontario 7 - LAKE NIPISSING, Ontario 8 - PAPINEAU REGION, Quebec 9 - ANNE'S LAND, P.E.I. 10 - WESTERN NEWFOUNDLAND