Had intended to fish the lower Bow this weekend but Mike Guinn sez that the muddy Highwood has stained the Bow downstream. So, off to Canmore Friday nite. (Bow Valley Motel, $50, OK) Have arranged guide for the a.m. – (they phone home last night, drunk, to inquire of Pam where the hell I was!) and 10 minutes after 9 “Al” cruises up in his 1971 suburban (where, as it turns out he spent the night), he’s tall, lanky and hung-over. We go to the store to get lunch, grab the boat, check out the “town bridge”
(easy access for PFC), but decide to put in at highway bridge east of town. Gorgeous, breathtaking scenery in the valley up her; river is much smaller, quite braided. Al throws chainsaw in the 14’ MacKenzie! There are a number of old log jams as it turns out, but there’s always a way around (stay left?). Typical snowy, sunny, windy, calm, rainy, hot, cold day. Get 8 or 10 hits, mostly on streamers, mostly “M & M’s”; mostly feisty 1# browns (1 Whitefish). Al is pretty good on the oars for a guy who lives in “a van down by the river.” Take out at campsite by Esso Station 3 mi. down the highway – 4 or 5 mile float. We’re on the water about 10:00, off at about 6:00 with a fair bit of walking and wading. Al seems fairly impressed by having a client who can cast passably (as opposed to usual Japanese tourist couple). Real down to earth operation, here…Berkely Rods & Reels, not rod tubes, lotsa split shot. There are some big BWO’s at midday; I get a couple of fish on #16 Hare’s Ear dropper below Irresistible indicator. Tar has good time, is pain in the ass as usual. Note “apparently it’s a nice float from Bow Falls on Golf Course put in to either Park boundary or Canmore. Taxi’s work for shuttle’s. Tip from Al: vinegar packets from restaurant =excellent glass cleaner. 40° Water
