Out Fly Fishing Outfitters, AB
Orvis-Endorsed Fly-Fishing Outfitter in Calgary, Alberta
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Josh Nugent
Out Fly Fishing Outfitters
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Learn MoreWhat is Provided to Customer
We can supply everything for you, so you don't have to worry about bringing any gear, unless you wish to use some of your personal gear. We have breathable waders, boots, rods, reels, and all the leaders, tippet and flies you require. We've learned over the years that providing the flies makes our guests far less gun shy when it comes to delivering the fly tight to the structure the big fish hang out around. If you have personal waders, a fly rod or flies you've tied that you'd like to bring, you're welcome to bring your gear and your guide will help you set it up for here.
What Should Customers Bring
- A camera (although guides will typically have a camera in the boat still)
- Sunscreen (again your guides will typically carry this in the boat)
- Dress in layers. It can be very warm during summer days but the weather can change quickly
- Raincoat (guides usually carry extra in the boat but to have one you know will fit well its best to try and bring one)
- Fishing license (these can be purchased online at: albertarelm.com)
Sample of Typical Trip
We work very hard to make sure a typical day on the water with us is anything but typical. From the beginning we have always believed that it's your day O.F.F. and not ours, which is why we don't count the hours and why we don't have specific start or end times. On our full day trips you're on the water for as long as you want to be, whether that’s 6 hours or 14. When the golden stone hatch is going off we'll sometimes start as early as 3:00 am and when evening caddis hatches have fish sipping long after sunset it's not uncommon for us to not get off the water until after midnight. We've yet to meet a fish that only feeds from 9-5, so why run our trips only during those hours? We'll work with you and your schedule to make your day O.F.F. as enjoyable as possible.
- Your guide will pick you up at the pre-determined location. The majority of our guests meet us at our shop located at #109, 9919 Fairmount Drive SE, Calgary, AB.
- While driving to the river with your guide you can find out a little more about your guide and help give your guide more insight into what your goals and desires for your trip are. This is the time to make sure your guide knows any time constraints you may have for the trip.
- Once you get to the river you'll get your orientation of the river and the program for the day at the boat launch. (dry fly fishing vs nymphing or streamer fishing etc.).
- Your guide will load all the gear and equipment into the boat, and if you're wearing waders you’ll get geared up now at the launch while they set up the boat and rods for you.
- Remember that the first hour or so is a feeling out process for everyone. The more honest you've been about your talent level and limitations the quicker you'll be fishing on a program that suits your ability and desires. Our goal is to make sure you finish every day a better fly angler than when you started, and to make sure you had fun in the process.
- When you get to the half way point in the day, or when you're ready, your guide will prepare your lunch shore side while you continue fishing, or lounge over snacks and a cold beverage while you wait.
- After lunch, your guide will have you back on the water until you run out of energy, daylight, or water.
- Your guide will load up the boat and gear while you relax and then will return you to your pick-up location at the end of the day.
Season:
Out Fly Fishing Outfitters is open year round, with a peak season from July through September.
Winter Season: December - February (Fishable if we have Chinooks ie: weather above freezing)
Spring Season: March - May (Feast or famine time of year, we wouldn't recommend planning travel for this season but if you're here visiting or working it could be well worth your while)
June: Runoff for rivers, but this is when we guide lakes and pike on the fly
Peak Season: July - September (Prime time and best time to book your holiday)
Fall Season: October - November (Can fish extremely well but becomes more weather dependent)
For a detailed description of our fishing seasons please visit our website.
Species:
Winter Season: Bow river Rainbows & Browns
Spring Season: Bow river Rainbows & Browns
June: Pike, Arctic Grayling, Rainbows, Browns, Brook trout
Peak Season: Rainbows, Browns, Brook, Cutthroat, Bull and Golden Trout. Cutbows and Arctic Grayling
Fall: Rainbows, Browns, Cutthroat, Bull, and Brook Trout. Cutbows and pike
Region/Terrain:
Our primary fishery is the Lower Bow River but we also guide on the Crowsnest, Oldman, Livingstone, other small mountain streams and alpine lakes in Southwestern Alberta.
The blue ribbon stretch, or "Lower Bow", is the section of the Bow River downstream of Calgary. The Upper Bow located near Banff, Alberta, is known as the "Jewel of the Rockies" and is exceptionally beautiful, however the fishery there does not compare to that of the lower Bow. We have compiled a very detailed description of the different sections and stretches of the river on our website.
Additionally, a full break down of all the trips and fisheries outside of the Bow that we offer can be found on our website, but here is a brief description of some of the main fisheries we guide on in addition to the Bow River.
Because Calgary is situated so close to the Rocky mountains we are fortunate to be able to slip out to the mountains for day trips, or stay at cabins and B&B's right in the heart of the mountains. Our mountain streams are exceptionally cold and rugged, although several of them still provide remarkably easy access for how unspoiled, remote and breathtaking they are.
The alpine lakes we fish are right in the heart of the Rockies. Some of them, such as where we fish for golden trout, are at high enough elevations to be above the tree line. Many of these lakes are absolutely breathtaking. Both hike-in and heli-fishing options are available for our alpine lake trips.
The lakes and reservoirs we guide for pike on are prairie reservoirs that are typically shallow, fertile and not heavily treed. These reservoirs are here for agriculture irrigation purposes but happen to provide prime habitat for suckers, perch, whitefish and other coarse fish that are all food sources of large predatory pike.
Typical Weather:
Winter Season
During winter we experience Chinooks (warm winter winds) due to our proximity to the mountains. During a Chinook temperatures can get well above freezing and the river becomes viable to fish. Outside of the Chinooks it's typically too cold to fish at this time of year.
Spring Season
The weather can be unpredictable this time of year. It's possible to still get snow and have freezing weather, but it's also possible to have 70F degree days. May can be a wet month as this is when our early season rains typically start. It's not uncommon to have days in May reach high 70's and low 80's but mid 60's are the norm. April May can bring beautiful weather or very unpredictable weather.
June/Runoff
June is typically when we get much of our rain, but it's also when days get longer and start getting warmer. Mid 70's and days into the 80's are possible.
Summer Season
This is the time of year to travel to Calgary. We are very fortunate to have nice and reliable weather during the summer. We see mid-day temps in the high 70's and low to mid 80's but it's not uncommon to have 90F days. It cools off enough at night and the climate is dry enough that the hot days are still very bearable.
Fall Season
Fall marks the changing of the leaves and the return of frost at night. October can be very nice still with mid-day temps hitting the 70's but it gets cold at night and snowstorms are possible. As we move into November the fishing becomes very weather dependent as it will typically be below freezing at night and not all days will get above freezing as the month progresses.
$475 for half day trips and $600 for full day trips with completely customizable packages of any trip duration. All prices are in Canadian funds and do not include licenses, gratuities or taxes. Refer to our website for specific pricing of special trips.