Canmore?

[Barnes19]

I'm taking the family camping in Canmore next, I'm hoping to scratch a couple species off the list. I fished a lot for Pike, Walleye and most of my trout fishing has been limited to stocked ponds. I have a spin caster and a fly rod that I'm learning to use. I will be stuck to shore fishing but I hope some of you might be able to give me some pointers on fishing the Bow River in that area. I've also read that shore fishing at Spray lakes can be productive I'm just not sure if it is this time of year. If I can catch a Bull trout and/or a Lake trout I'll be a Happy Camper.

[millsboy79]

There are grayling in canmore ... quarry pond.

[Bobdep]

There are grayling in canmore ... quarry pond.



And tiny tiny brooks in Dog just around the corner [emoji1303]


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[Barnes19]

Thanks guys, Quarry could be fun with my daughter.
Where is Dog? Would be nice to catch a Brookie!

[Darren N]

Thanks guys, Quarry could be fun with my daughter.
Where is Dog? Would be nice to catch a Brookie!


Dog park is located at the Quarry - I think it shows on the map at site if not mistaken- just a five minute walk from the quarry itself. Glad to hear they still have that - a few years ago i went to visit and the dog park pond was a big mud puddle with no fish in it - must of been restored.

[Spidey]

If you try Quarry, get there early! This time of year it quickly fills up with swimmers, paddle boarders, kayakers, triathaletetes (although they would put up a good fight on a 9 weight), and amateur cliff divers. Very early morning or dusk is your best bet for those elusive graylings. Prince nymph or red ant on sink tip works well.

Lot's of places on the Bow (north and south of the bridge just off downtown Canmore).

[commieboy]

The dog park pond.

From the parking lot, quarry will be to the left. There is another footpath to the right end of the lot which goes through dog poop across a field. Head through the trees and you find a small pond and a tiny creek. Brookies galore. Or at least there were three years ago. The last couple of times I've been there the pond seemed dead. But I find it hard to believe. Try it out.

Also try the 20 minute hike up pro Grassi Lakes. Two insanely gorgeous lakes right beside each other with lots of little brookies. Also pictographs along the cliff faces. It's a short hike, but uphill all the way.

There is almost no casting room. I go with my 1weight fly rod and roll cast. I have no idea about spinners. Not my thing. If it's a warm day, bring an inflatable up for yourself and your daughter.

Gets really crowded but almost nobody fishes it.

[Barnes19]

Thanks for all the info, Seems like that area is worth checking out, I like the idea of hiking up to Grassi.

Spidey, Is there Bull trout in the Bow river in that section near the town of Canmore?

I also noticed that Gap and Ghost Lake are close, can anyone tell me if they are fishable from shore?

[kayaker]

There are bulls, browns and RM whitefish in the bow up there.

[commieboy]

Thanks for all the info, Seems like that area is worth checking out, I like the idea of hiking up to Grassi.

Spidey, Is there Bull trout in the Bow river in that section near the town of Canmore?

I also noticed that Gap and Ghost Lake are close, can anyone tell me if they are fishable from shore?

Gap is fishable from shore. Tough place to get a bite. Go in the evenings.

I forgot to mention Grotto mountain pond. Another fun place for kids. Stocked with small rainbows and there are some big surprises in there as well. Picnic tables, good shore fishing and an easy place to launch a canoe or inflatable. It's small and family oriented so it gets PACKED. But the little walk through the canyon is fun for kids… it's like a mini scramble since it's all rocks and towards the end there are more pictographs to look for.

[Kurt505]

Bow valley trail just east of exshaw there is a spot right next to the highway were the bow river does almost a hairpin turn and heads east. From that corner and down that straightaway for 300 yards or so I've caught some nice Browns.

[Barnes19]

Thank Kurt, Brown Trout is another species I've dreamt of catching since I joined the Forum.

[Spidey]

Thanks for all the info, Seems like that area is worth checking out, I like the idea of hiking up to Grassi.

Spidey, Is there Bull trout in the Bow river in that section near the town of Canmore?

I also noticed that Gap and Ghost Lake are close, can anyone tell me if they are fishable from shore?

Yep, but I've only caught browns, bows and whites.

A buddy of mine caught a very nice bull where the Bow feeds into Gap Lake. You can park on the Trans Canada and hike into that confluence (look for the big gate just south of the westbound highway.)

As already said, Grotto pond is a nice place to take the kids. So are the Mount Lorrette ponds on the 43.

[Barnes19]

Well I'm back from Canmore, unfortunately I didn't get to fish as much or during the best times of day like I would have wanted to but I did stop in at a couple of the spots that were suggested. I fly fished the Bow River at the Bow River Campground where I had a couple fish chase my fly but I never hooked up. I did have a RMW on my spin caster briefly but it went air born and shook the hook. We hiked up to Grassi lakes and me and my friends son fished for a couple minutes, there was some Brookies cruising around but we didn't catch any. Was up at Quarry one rainy day which was good because there wasn't many people, I saw one large Grayling hanging out off a steep drop off but wasn't interested in what I had to offer. Me and my little buddy hiked up to Dog lake where we managed a double header on some little Brook trout. I'm a little disappointed I didn't catch more fish but happy to scratch Brook trout off the list. Thanks for your input. Fly fishing is addictive but I think I'll have to get a bigger fly box and work on learning to "Match the Hatch".123450

[Darren N]

Good job still - Canmore requires patience and a lot of R and D by going out and trying what doesn't work first. Fussy fish - need to go lighter tippet is what I learned.