[Floating The Upper Bow City Stretch]

Uhhh no. First, Harvey passage is CLOSED. You can't go through the right channel. You would have to portage, which I'm guessing with a drift boat, not possible. The put in at Shouldice is often gated you never know if it will be open. The take out at the zoo is unaccessible because of the zoo construction. The upper section of our river is now basically shut down to boats that need to trailer in. You can thank the Fire department. Its been their mission to keep people off the river since about 2008.

[Lower Bow Overnight Float Trip: Islands.]

This is a good question, you are allowed to camp anywhere below the high-water line. That includes islands with low flow channels that historically where cut off from the main land and are now filled up with gravel.

[Warning Section Where Highwood Enters The Bow River]

I was there last Saturday with zero problems. No one around but a few other fisherman. That said, I have heard the fuss about this area and packed my bear spray just in case.

[Cooler Comparison]

I have a Yeti Roadie 20 and a Tundra 45, best coolers ever. I know I'll never have to buy another one in my lifetime.

[One For The Big River]

what part of the Thompson? North or South?

[Iron Bow Stocked Tying Materials]

What a silly thing to say, looks like a snobby shop too funny.

Country Pleasures....case and point.

[Why Are Tfo Rods Shunned?]

I have a 9ft 6wt BVK that I bought specifically for streamer and heavy nymph fishing on rivers and for trolling lakes. Its a decent rod for the price and warranty. I'm finding out pretty fast you don't need an expensive streamer or trolling rod. Anything that will huck a heavy fly out will do. As for dry fly, different story, its not very accurate and its tiring for me to cast. In heavy water its ok, but anything where you need to be a ninja I won't catch anything with it. I have a 4wt 8ft Hardy Zenith that is pretty dam good for my ninja needs.

[Iron Bow Stocked Tying Materials]

Just popped in for the first time this week. I've stayed away since they opened because it looks like a snobby shop. BUT, it isn't at all. Super friendly service, and the store is full of great stuff and its bigger than it looks from the outside. Sorry Fishtails, I'm a North-westy and Iron Bow is going to be my fly tying supply shop from now on. They are way closer and not shopped out of materials. In fact the racks were packed.

[Pfd: What To Use For Kayak Fly Fishing?]

I ended up going with the Kokatat Bahia PfD from MEC. Its $95 and its got the low profile back foam you need so it doesn't ride up on your back rest. Unfortunately they only come in Blue and Bright orange. The Blue ones go quick, they just got a new shipment in and they sell out pretty quickly in the S/M size. Otherwise you can go to Aquabatics across from COP and buy one of the NRS ones that have the same low profile foam back feature. They are a bit more, but are designed for fisherman, so they have pockets and neutral colours. I'm using mine on my pontoon for rowing. My normal wedge style paddling PfD has thick foam on the back and is super annoying and uncomfortable with a high back chair. Its too bad that the one from Bass Pro isn't available in Canada, it looked pretty good, but its not Canadian Approved.

http://www.mec.ca/product/5009-908/kokatat-bahia-pfd-unisex/?h=10+50004+50047&f=10+50004+50047

[Stand Up Paddle Board Fly Fishing... Thoughts?]

For getting around on the river with your gear, perhaps, most people would probably find a sit-on-top kayak easer to manage. In regards to the lady who had her sup strapped to her ankle like an ocean surfur.... this is one of the most dangerous things you can do on the river with constant moving current. The rescue that happened is a direct result of her ankle leash. If you do SUP on the river...please, please please do not use the ankle leash, its a death trap. You must be able to get away from anything in the river if your swimming. And please wear a pfd too, it's fun to not have to struggle to swim in freezing water and its the law in town limits anyways.

[Guide's Association Yay/nay, & How Do We Start?]

I do think there should be a Guides association, here is why:

1. you can apply for grants to pay for environmental clean up projects at put in/take out points (ie: police mans' Flats it's totally disgusting)

2. you can apply for grants or petition the government to pay for toilet facilities at popular put in/take out points

3. you can become members of other associations that will help your causes with funding or letter writing support.

4. you can set proper standards for safety and good practices for your activity

5. You can have a website that can educate the public, market and advertise for companies, and showcase your achievements as an organization.

6. you can set a limit on how many guides there are on the water at once. The river is just too busy some days!

 

There are so many other good reasons to do this, I can't believe it has not been done already. Clients want to know they are in good hands. I know there is a lot of word of mouth and repeat customers for you, but for new potential customers this could bring them in.

I have always wondered how a high paying client for a guided trip feels when they are dropped off/picked up at put in locations along the river that are totally gross with no toilets or garbage facilities. I'm thinking that high class clients might appreciate "clean" put in/take out locations. I know I would.