cgyguy

A float from Mac to Carseland is roughly about 6-8 hours depending on stops, etc. If you float directly, with the water flows, you could most likely do it in 5 - 6 hours. Mac to Legacy can be done in about three hours direct float. If you go all the way to Carseland, you will be taking out at Johnson Island (which is to on the immediate left about a half a killometer to the weir. If you are camping at Carsland then you will have to drive out from Jophnsons and go towards carseland and head down the hill to the campground. If you are travelling from Mac to Cars or Legacy to Cars, keep to the right and don't go left into the channels unless you know where you are going. You can get caught in the channels (no real water flow) and will be stuck rowing to get out. Hope this helps! Cgyguy

Something to keep in mind when out there belly boating or pontooning down the river. By QMI Agency A 25-year-old Brantford, Ont., man is dead following a lightning strike during Saturday’s thunder storm. The name of the deceased has not been released by police. The man was one of three people who were inner tubing on the Grand River shortly before 3 p.m. All three were affected by a nearby lightning strike. Emergency crews went to the scene and the man was taken to Brantford General Hospital where he was pronounced dead. Police are assisting the regional coroner’s office with the investigation. The city was hit hard by a deluge of rainfall during a three hour period that began just before 3 p.m. and continued to about 6 p.m. Let's be safe out there!

I too, am looking forward to floating it. Yes, those rapids are pretty wild, but they sure do look fun! I just don't know of any put ins above Blackfoot bridge. Other than the regular, haul your inflatable down. Wouldn't it be something if the river fishing was to improve throughout the city? Should be interesting........

Wondering what your thoughts are for floating the Bow thru the City once the Weir is finished? I am not aware of any put ins or take outs for a drift boat above the Weir to Bowness? Also, is the fishing going to improve thru the city stretch once the Weir is completed (i.e. easier for the fish to make their way up the river)? Not sure if the spawning runs would change or if they just stay the same based on the fish history? Thoughts / comments?

A 24 incher!!!???!! Where is this HOT SPOT you speak of??? What are the GPS locations? Are there any bears? Very cute story, brings back many memories of days fishing with my son (long time ago). Many campouts on the islands on the Bow, lots of Sega games in the dark, great days! A little word of advice if I may: take each day with your children as a gift, and remember the old saying (shoot, now I am getting old), anyways...."they grow up so fast", and it is SO true.

Wow - that thread really took off. Healthy discussion and some good learnings as well. My father was a logger on Vancouver Island and most of the West Coast. He always told me that the scariest animal he ever crossed was a Wolverine. Apparently, these animals can be downright viscious and can cause lots of damage. Personally, I have never come across any animal encounters that I felt threatened by, like many of you have said though, wide berth, common sense, and respect are some key messages I am taking from these posts. Thanks for your replies & Cheers

Just read and previewed the post regarding the bear sighting and I am interested in seeing what reactions people who HAVE run into a bear have been. You hear many stories, some good, some bad. I am intersted to know what people carry for bear deterent, or bells, or bangers or whatever. What makes you feel the safest around bears when fishing in areas where bears are present? What about cougars, or other animals? Just interested in everyones experience and opinions surrounding safety around animals? Cheers Cgyguy

I got my own answer to the bird question. Here it is: Calgary's bug-rich Bow River has become a temporary feasting point for thousands of gulls from Chile and Peru as they prepare to nest in Alberta's lakes for the summer. The striking Franklin's gulls — with their black heads, white bodies and red beaks — are congregating in the city's southeast edge, taking advantage of the river's supply of insects. Every year the birds fly along the same path from their winter homes in South America, said naturalist Gus Yaki, who leads birdwatching groups to see them. The gulls don't tend to fly in flocks, but when they arrive in Calgary they gather along the Bow River, he added. "Right now on the river we have a hatch of chironomids — so-called midges — and other small aquatic insects, so the gulls are taking advantage of that hatching period that is occurring right now. So that's why they are accumulating," Yaki said. "You'll see them floating down and then after 300 metres or so they fly back up river and repeat the process continuously — a never-ending ribbon of gulls floating down and flying back up." Soon the birds will leave Calgary for lakes as far away as northern Alberta to build floating nests for breeding, Yaki said. "At Frank Lake just outside of High River a few years ago, they estimated 75,000 pairs were present there. And that makes it probably one of the highest-populated sites on the continent," he said. By August the gulls will head back to South America for the winter. Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/201...s#ixzz0nexOGGvG

How is this fishing related?

Was fishing the Bow on the weekend and came across a large size fly (#12, or even #10) that had rather large brown wings, a tan body and sat like a large sailboat on the water. There was a ton of smaller mayflys but the fishing were filling their bellies with the large flies. I did manage to catch a few but I had a hard time finding anything that large in my fly box. Anyone have any ideas on what type these flies were? Also, I guess getting old gets me thinking a bit more. In my younger days, I wouldn't have bothered to look up but I find myself doing that these days. Having said that, while fishing on the weekend I was watching a large number of birds feeding on mayflys hatching on the water surface. I am the first one to say there is no such thing as a stupid question, so here goes: the birds have a brownish body, black head, white wings, with black tips. What are they? BTW - Fishing was quite good but bloody cold when the wind came up! Thanks

I recall a number of years ago, that the only place to launch a drift boat in the city section is around Bowness, however, there was no way to pick it up in the city (that I am aware of) other than by dragging it out at the Zoo (which would be a lot of work). Last time I launch a 12 ft alum boat and it was a struggle pulling it to the car. Is anyone aware of any put ins on the upper section of the Bow for a drift boat?

Ooops! Didn't see the post below!

Hi folks, I don't usually post anything on this site, choosing to be the reader moreso, than the writer. However, I recently read an article on Robert.F.Kennedy Jr. with regards to his position that as much as 90% of the fish in Alberta are inedible. His statement is that these fish have too much mercury in them to safely eat. He also states: “It causes a grim inventory of diseases: autism, blindness, mental retardation, speech delay, language delay, ticks, learning disorders, as well as heart disease, liver disease and kidney disease. The tests that we do have, which are mainly done provincially in Canada, indicate that Canada has the same problem with mercury that we have in the United States.” I am interested to know what your take is on this? I am not a fish eater for the most part and will continue to "catch and release" ALL fish, but find it interesting that a politician from the U.S. would and can make these statements! Cgyguy

Spent Saturday eve to Tuesday afternoon staying at the North Bow Lodge while fishing the Bow. Accomodations were great, food was great, Stu and Michelle were great, and telling lies while partaking with a cool one, was fantastic. Met some very nice fisherman there, and learned a great deal more about the Bow. Also had the opportunity to chat with Barry White as he had stopped in for a visit while I was there. Barry's knowledge of the Bow and it's history are lifelong. What a great storyteller, and a host of so much to learn. BTW - fishing was awesome as well. If you are ever considering a stop over for a night, the Bow lodge is a great place to consider for a B &B as well. I have no affiliation with NB Lodge, just thought some of you might find our information on our stay, useful! Cheers

I seem to remember someone losing their life belly boating the Bow quite a few years ago? Anybody recall this? I remember I was coming back from a float from MacKinnon to Carseland and an ambulance went flying by me on 22x. Apparently, it had something to do with someone either overturning and being seriously hurt, or a death. Can't quite remember (age does this to one). Albeit, belly boating is not a good idea for the Bow in my book. Save up and buy a pontoon boat! Cheers

I've heard women say that size matters , but does it really matter to a fisherman how big the fish are? In my books, sometimes smaller is better!!!

BK, is that for her legs and her other personal needs or what? :derby racer:

I have a Clackacraft and it is fading a little bit on the outside of the boat and needs a little TLC. Anyone have any ideas of the best way to clean fiberglasss and get the paint back up? I know all about elbow ('grease") but I want to use the right stuff so I don't do any damage. Any ideas or suggestions are much appreciated.

Haven't been to the Bow this week but I did notice that driving past the zoo, that the island in front of the parking lot looks to be going under water? Are the drugs "just" starting to take effect or is the river rishing in prep for run off?

Hey FHD - 30 fish sounds like a lot for you! I was beside you in the other boat, and I only counted 3!!! LOL! Look forward to fishing the Elk with you this summer! Cheers!

Hey FHD - 30 fish sounds like a lot for you! I was beside you in the other boat, and I only counted 3!!! LOL! Look forward to fishing the Elk with you this summer! Cheers!

I floated the Miss last year on the Mothers Day weekend (9th May I think), and we hired a guide out of Craig (Headhunters Flyshop). The weather was certainly something we talked about as it snowed, blew, rained, then sunshine, then cold again. My partner got so wet, he ended up gettting all the signs of Hypothermia, so we phoned the flyshop and someone came out to pick him up. Luckily, he warmed up later that night, but it was scary. Anyhoo, the fishing was tp say the least spectacular! We fished tons of very very small nymphs and a few dries when we could. We brought over 30 to the boat. Other than it being so miserable outside, the trip was great. Fishing pressure was non existant and the town was very quiet with only the locals and a few fish bums who were camping at the river. If you haven't fished this river, I would highly recommend hiring a guide for one day. Speak to Mark Raisler at Headhunters Flyshop if your looking for a quality guy and guide. He certainly impressed me and I would recommend him to anyone. Hope this helps.....

Does anyone know if Bow River Troutfitters has closed it's doors? I have tried calling their 282-8868 number and it is disconnected as well as their 1-800 number? Anyone have any updates on this?

Weir construction begins Updated: Tue Dec. 16 2008 17:51:35 ctvcalgary.ca The cold weather hasn't stalled the start of construction on the Bow River Weir. The weir is being modified to make it safer for boaters and other river users. "There's going to be some concrete on the trailing edge of the weir that will reverse the direction of the undertow so it won't catch things and pull them back into the weir. It will spin the other way and kick things downstream," says Mac Hickley from the Parks Foundation Calgary. The cold didn't hinder work on the project. This is the best time of year to get the work done because water levels are low and it won't impact fish. On Tuesday, workers started taking river bed from one area and moving it to another. The end result will be a series of dams. Work on the weir will be done in a couple of stages and is expected to be finished by 2011. The $15-million project is funded with private, municipal and provincial dollars.

Hey Guys & Gals, Has anyone heard of what's happening with the Weir project? I thought they were going to start on it this year? Was looking forward to seeing the changes they are going to make, but is that project shelved now? Anybody?