Cochrane To Resovoir On The Bow

[Billhv]

In particular, I am looking at a pull out point nearer to Calgary. BowGlen Prov. Park has no river access. Any ideas? Is the boat launches on the south side of the river at Emerald near Springbank a public access? Thanks.

[DougC]

It is a public access but the locals put a locked gate there and plaster the surrounding roads with no parking signs and harass anyone who dares go near it. Your best bet would be to launch a jet boat in Cochrane and motor your way back up.

[LastBoyScout]

Lack of public access certainly makes a Jet boat look attractive, even if you hate those guys.

[Guest 420FLYFISHIN]

Hate the driver not the machine

 

[fredo]

In particular, I am looking at a pull out point nearer to Calgary. BowGlen Prov. Park has no river access. Any ideas? Is the boat launches on the south side of the river at Emerald near Springbank a public access? Thanks.

 

[fredo]

As mentioned access to Bearspaw is limited to a walk in from the south side.Back in the day we canoed from Chochrane bridge to Bearspaw dam and portaged around landing at Bowness park.It was a trip suited to younger folk.It's still doable but you'll need portage wheels to get past the dam.Be aware the wind shifts against you in the late afternoon.Be prepared to paddle nonstop for the portage at the dam.

Talking to a resident of Emerald Bay

,he has seen lots of people blown back uplake,land at Emerald Bay and beach their boats and call a cab.

That being said,the fishing can be very good.Check out the channels as the river slows and enters the resevoir.Be aware at about noon the Ghost dam dumps water downstream raising the water level in the river by as much as 3 feet in a matter of an hour.Don.t get caught on a gravel bank when this happens.On the numerous floats we did back when we witnessed the water rise and scour the previously dry gravel shoals of insects/nimphs etc.At the bottom end of these daily events trout were waiting,conditioned to this daily smorgasboard.Lots of trout.So many rising/sipping it looked like it was raining.

Anyone interested in the long term plans for Bearspaw resevoir should check Enmax Legacy Parks Fund Bearspaw Park Concept.There's a map and info.Quite an ambitious project including a bridge across the resevoir connecting to Glenbow Park.