Sacha,
The Bow can be a tough river to figure out. Consider hiring a guide. It will make things easier, lessen the learning curve and you will learn much faster then figuring out things on your own...
Cheers,
Peter
The Alpine Experience
If you eventually want to fly fish. Might as well dive In head first. My dog can run a spin casting reel and decide if she wants to run a spoon or a rapala. You will thank yourself if you get the learning curve out of the way and start getting into fish on the fly. I did not pick up a fly rod till I was 27 and have kicked myself for not getting one sooner.
thats not to say gear fishing docent have a place, but if your focus is going to be river/stream targeting trout, fly fishing is the golden fun ticket