Canadian country superstar Paul Brandt shares his top fishing spots

For our 2016 Fishing Special issue, Outdoor Canada recruited a supergroup of acclaimed Canadian recording artists, who also happen to be hard-core anglers. And these fishin’ musicians agreed to sing about their favourite Canadian fishing holes—74 in all. For the full list, see The Fishin’ Musicians.

If you’ve listened to country radio in the last 20 years, you know Paul Brandt. His first single, 1996’s “My Heart Has a History,” hit number one in Canada, immediately followed by four more chart-toppers. Since then, Brandt has compiled an extraordinary catalogue of hits, and become Canada’s most-awarded male country artist. Though he spent almost a decade in Nashville, Brandt never shook his Alberta roots, or his love of the province’s fishing. “I grew up on the Bow River,” he says. “My dad, uncle and grandfather passed down their love of this legendary body of water to me, and I intend to pass it down to my children.” An angler for 36 of his 43 years, Brandt’s hot spots span the Canadian West, paying tribute to its wild beauty. Learn more: www.paulbrandt.com

Favourite fish: Rainbow trout

Favourite type of fishing: Fly fishing

Favourite fishing song: “Fishin’ in the Dark” by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band

BARNABY RIDGE, PINCHER CREEK, ALBERTA

GPS: 49.328, -114.413

FISH: Golden trout

WHY: Rare and beautiful fish in an almost surreal mountaintop paradise

BEST TIME: Summer

BEST FLIES: Olive Scud, midges

FORTRESS LAKE, B.C.

GPS: 52.372, -117.786

FISH: Brook trout

WHY: Giant fish in a spectacular setting, with Caribbean-blue water—the surroundings are perspective-changing (photo below)

BEST TIME: July and August

BEST FLIES: ReelFlies Olive Conehead Zuddler, ReelFlies Grey Scud

KLUANE NATIONAL PARK, YUKON TERRITORY

GPS: 60.495, -137.016

FISH: Arctic grayling, lake and rainbow trout, northern pike, walleye

WHY: Massive grayling and lakers, with low pressure, stunning mountain views and tons of wildlife viewing

BEST TIME: June to August

BEST FLY: Stimulator (for grayling and rainbows)

SOUTH BOW RIVER, ALBERTA

GPS: 50.819, -113.778

FISH: Brown and rainbow trout, mountain whitefish

WHY: Only go if you like huge rainbows and browns

BEST TIME: July to November

BEST FLIES: Stimulator, Bow River Bugger

WOLLASTON LAKE, SASKATCHEWAN

GPS: 58.237, -103.359

FISH: Arctic grayling, lake trout, northern pike, walleye

WHY: Hooking into a 49-inch pike on the fly, just after ice-out

BEST TIME: May and June

BEST FLIES: Brown Clouser, Red/White Bunny Tail

For our 2016 Fishing Special issue, Outdoor Canada recruited a supergroup of acclaimed Canadian recording artists, who also happen to be hard-core anglers. And these fishin’ musicians agreed to sing about their favourite Canadian fishing holes—74 in all. For the full list, see The Fishin’ Musicians.