The Anchor B Ranch is located in the middle of arguably
the best trout fishing in Southwestern Alberta, the
Oldman River System. The area boasts an endless diversity
and variety of fisheries, coupled with spectacular
scenery and a stunning lack of fishing pressure. Our
guests fish for cutthroat, rainbow, brown, and bull
trout.
In addition to the Oldman, on which the Ranch is located and provides us private
access, we are within 20 minutes of the Crowsnest and Castle rivers. Further
to the west (a very easy 1 hour drive), in British Columbia, the famous cutthroat
fishing on the Elk River.
Northwest of the ranch all within a half-hour jaunt we find such rivers as
the Livingstone and Highwood Rivers which originate along the Continental divide.
We have many rivers and creeks within a stone's throw and all fish well during
our peak season of July and August, and the shoulder seasons of May - June and
September - mid October.
In addition to large attractor patterns used to lure wild cutthroat we commonly
use Slate and Blue Winged Olives as well as other Mayflies, Stoneflies, Caddisflies,
Nymphs and Leeches to smoke out wily Browns and feisty Rainbows.
Our fishing philosophy is simple. Whether floating or walking and wading,
we practice 'catch and release fly-fishing' and we want all of our guests to
catch fish. Guests are encouraged to use our friendly staff to personally design
each day's outing for them. No one leaves our breakfast table without a well
thought out fishing plan for the day. With this attention to detail, it is our
experience that fishermen of all skill levels have fun.
If you find that you need to hone your skills our Trout Pond is a great place
to have a private casting lesson with your guide. Feel welcome to do this before
you hit the trail in the morning or to finish off your evening.
Here is an overview of the streams a short distance away:
Oldman River
The Oldman River is a major watershed in southern Alberta. It flows out of the
rockies and out onto the windswept foothills and prairie. The reach above the
Oldman Dam is a good cutthroat, bull, and rainbow trout river. 20 inch trout
are possible though typical catches are 12 to 16 inches. The reach below the
dam is short as it enters First Nations lands within 7 miles. It has good fishing
for rainbow trout to 24 inches, bulls to 10 pounds, and cutthroat trout. The
Oldman is popular with fishermen throughout July and August but by early September
the river is a ghost town.
Highwood River
An hour away from the ranch, the Highwood flows out of the rockies and through
a beautiful, open foothill valley. It is spectacular in the fall as rich ochre
leaves radiate against the deep blue mountain skyline. The Highwood is a freestone
river with a good population of rainbows and cutthroats, as well as a few large
bull trout. It is a major spawning tributary of the Bow River rainbows and
large rainbows often hold over in the pools near Longview. Typical trout are
12 to 18 inches with good chances of 20+inch. Things heat up in July with stonefly,
mayfly, and caddis hatches, followed by hopper fishing in August through October.
Livingstone River
A tributary to the Oldman, the Livingstone River is considered one of Alberta’s
best catch and release cutthroat trout streams with typical trout 10 to 17 inches.
It’s close proximity to Calgary brings fishing pressure but mid week still
offers solitude. This photogenic freestone river is set in a shallow box canyon
with stunning views of endless pools, riffles, and pocketwater. Good dry fly
action can be had all season on large stonefly, hopper, or green drake patterns.
By late August trout holding in the flats are wary and require 6x tippet and
size #22 flies. Larger bull trout appear in the crystal clear, deep pools later
in summer and large streamers are often effective.
Crowsnest River
The “Crow” is a perfect trout stream. Located 20 minutes south of
the ranch, this mountain and foothill river is 20 yards wide, easily wadeable,
and has a healthy population of rainbow trout. It is a well known trout stream
and the fly fishing is challenging by August. Astute fly fishers watch subtle
eddies and undercuts for large trout gently sipping flies. Smaller #18 to #24
mayfly and midge patterns are popular. A trip to the Crow before runoff and
spawning each spring yields excellent fly fishing as rainbows hold in the clear
pools and riffles. Many Albertans consider the Crowsnest second only to the
Bow River for fly fishing enjoyment. Expect 12 to 19 inch rainbows.
Castle River
The Castle is an abundant cutthroat and bull trout river system. Relatively
few fly fishers stop at the Castle system, opting to fish the Crowsnest, Oldman,
and Elk Rivers. The Castle is a smaller river system with several exceptional
tributaries. Quiet, solitude filled days are the norm, with very good fly fishing
for good numbers and sizes of trout.
Tributaries
Many people enjoy fishing small, intimate tributaries to the larger waters.
The smaller streams and creeks generally see less fishing pressure than the
main stems and often provide the best fishing. There are several excellent
tributaries close to the ranch and dozens within a short drive. These often
produce high catch rates of cutthroat and rainbow trout on the dry fly or dropper.
The sizes of trout average slightly smaller but 20 inch fish are always a possibility.
Elk River, BC
The Elk is an hour away. The Elk and several other trout streams in south eastern
British Columbia have an excellent reputation as the best cutthroat trout waters
anywhere. High catch rates, large sizes present, beautiful mountain valley
scenery, and comfortable fly fishing conditions make the area pleasant to fly
fish. Our location is close by and offers you the chance to fish the best waters
of southern BC and Alberta in the same fly fishing vacation. |
