The Crowsnest River is tailor made for fly-fishing. It possesses all the qualities an avid fly fisherman could ever desire. It is nestled in the heart of the foothills at the base of the Rockies in Southwestern Alberta and is surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the province. There are Rainbow Trout and Cut Bow hybrids in the river above Lundbreck falls. Below Lundbreck falls, there is Brown Trout, Cutthroat trout and Bull Trout offering the angler a nice variety of trout species to fish for throughout the watershed. The aquatic insect hatches and terrestrial insect activity is the most diverse, intense and consistent in the province. It is a small stream by depiction but it fishes like a wonderfully rich spring creek; in fact it has the best match the hatch type dry fly fishing for nice size trout in Alberta.

There is a diverse range of fishing opportunities ranging from huge Salmonfly hatches down to tiny Baetis Mayflies and Midges in the fall when the river reaches it’s minimal flows. These fall conditions serve up circumstances that are very challenging to the fly fisherman. These late season situations involve low clear slow water conditions that require a slow careful approach and thought must be put into the angle at which the fly will be presented. Low flows produce slow clear flat water that demands casting accuracy, gentle presentation and precise fly patterns if the angler is going to be successful. Diminished water volume allows flows to remain steady in midstream but creates slow flat water, back eddies and current tongues close to the banks. Requiring that the angler fully understand and apply how to achieve the best float while still achieving maximum accuracy because long drag free floats in these situations are not usually easily achieved. The trout line up in these areas probably for security and efficiency however; most of us anglers ponder about how it is from intelligence and wariness.

The trout in this river system work the surface as if they were born to it and in fact, they were. The angler can work the surface with emergers, film flies, dry flies or spent fly patterns during hatches. Conversely, they can fish Hoppers, Ants, Beetles or Attractor patterns during non-hatch situations with good success. The angler can hunt down, approach and cast naked (meaning without indicators) to large spooky fish feeding on shallow shoals, flats and tailouts. With tiny nymphs, emergers and dries which provides a wonderful visual experience.

The river can be “angler-friendly” as well; it fishes fine with nymphs and wet flies during non-hatch periods. The angler can do well with big nymphs, small nymphs or wet flies when the suitable size and style of fly is fished at the appropriate level in the proper manner and at the proper point in time. However most avid dry fly fisherman are drawn to the Crowsnest to dry fly fish and enjoy chasing their favorite super hatch. This river system contains probably every conceivable type of Stonefly, Mayfly, Caddisfly and Midge hatch that any self-righteous angler could dream of at some point in the season.

Due to the rivers character and quality fish habitat, there is every year class of fish within the trout’s life cycle present. This wide range of year classes presents a rare situation where challenges and rewards for every level of angler from beginner to expert can be fulfilled. This fishery must be experienced first hand to be truly appreciated and enjoyed. Our company would enjoy sharing a day of challenges and enjoyment out on the water with prospective clientele. The rates and booking information for this watershed are located in the rates section of the website.

Click on any image for an englarged view

Click on any image for an englarged view