CALGARY, ALBERTA
Enveloped
in peace and solitude while standing in the river’s quiet
back channel, I retrieve the Woolly Bugger in a series of slow,
short strips. Suddenly, the streamer stops, as if snagged on
a submerged log. Then the fly line starts moving, and my six-weight
rod throbs under the weight of a large trout. The fish makes
three energetic runs before I ease the three-pound brown into
my net. Peace, quiet, solitude and big trout all suggest a secret
backcountry honey hole far from civilization, right? Nope. Not
this time. I’m in Calgary’s Fish Creek Provincial
Park, Canada’s largest urban park, in the southern part
of this booming city of one million people.
Calgarians have so many prime fishing opportunities within the
city limits, it’s a wonder they ever go anywhere else.
Certainly it helps to have the world-famous Bow River flowing
through your town. But anglers shouldn’t overlook her
lesser-known but obliging cousin, the Elbow. And for still-water
fanatics, there’s a major reservoir, Glenmore, and the
understated Carburn Park Ponds. You might never again leave
Cowtown to wet a line.
 |
| Go
the still-water way: An angler tries his luck at
Glenmore Reservoir. |
| FISHING
FACT |
| The
Glenmore Reservoir doesn’t give up many big
trout, but every now and then it delivers a dandy.
Way back in 1983, a 13-year-old using eight-pound-test
line landed a brown weighing almost 14 pounds. It’s
believed to be Calgary’s largest-ever angler-caught
trout. |
| ANGLER
ATTRACTION |
| After
spending the day fishing, treat yourself to libations
or tuck into a gourmet meal at the trendy River
Café beside the Bow River on downtown Prince’s
Island Park. Contact: (403) 261-7670; www.river-cafe.com. |
|
8. Edworthy Park
In early spring, summer and fall, fish deep holes, runs and
shoreline indentations on this portion of the Bow with flies,
spinners and spoons for browns, rainbows and mountain whitefish.
9. Downtown
Cast along the Bow in the shadows of high-rise buildings, or
where the river meets the Elbow. Summer evenings are best,
with fall and early spring also productive. At night, try big,
black streamers and Rapala Original Floaters.
10. Stanley Park
This park on the Elbow provides easy access to trout-holding
pools, pocket water and riffles in early June, July and August.
Evenings are prime. Toss small spinners, streamers, nymphs or
dry flies.
11. Glenmore Dam
Hefty browns, ’bows and mountain whitefish congregate
in deep pools and downstream runs of the Elbow. Early June (before
runoff), July, August and September are most productive on flies,
spoons and spinners.
12. Glenmore Reservoir
Fish from shore or from a human-powered boat with weighted streamers,
spoons and spinners for pike, perch, mountain whitefish, burbot,
rainbows and browns. Early spring just after ice-out, summer
evenings and fall mornings are best.
13. Weaselhead Natural Environment Park
Mid-July to mid-October evenings are best for browns, rainbows
and mountain whitefish on this secluded and varied stretch of
the Elbow. Try Parachute Adams, Prince Nymphs and Woolly Buggers,
or small spoons and spinners.
14. Carburn Park
This series of three kid-friendly, man-made ponds fishes well
in the very early morning during summer, spring and early fall.
Try spoons, worms, maggot-tipped jigs and small frozen minnows
for perch and pike.
15. Fish Creek Provincial Park
This section of the Bow is a four-season fishery, but early
spring, summer and fall are best. Use flies—dries, nymphs
and streamers—and spinners, spoons and jigs to catch browns,
rainbows and mountain whitefish. |
