I put this post in the Alberta thread, but thought I might get some other replies here too...
Looking for some information!
My wife and I are planning a trip to Alberta some time late summer or early fall. She has relatives that live in Red Deer, Wetaskwin, Bitern Lake, Calgary, Camrose and many others. We will probably be staying in Wetaskwin the majority of the time we are there.
I am an avid fly fisherman and spin cast fisherman looking for information on fishing Alberta's rivers and streams for trophy trout. I have heard that the fishing is excellent and that your waters offer many species of trout in trophy sizes. I am particularly intersted in cut throats because we don't have them around here.
I am most interested in day trips that are accessible within an hour or so drive. We are considering the possibility of renting a car and traveling a bit further for a day or two to stay overnight near some excellent fishing.
I have the necessary equipment: waders, rods, vest, pontoon float tube, etc. I just don't know the area as I have never been! The only water I know of is Bow River in Calgary from reading one of vancouvercanuck's posts and saw pics of bows he caught there.
We will be flying in and most likely renting a car when we get there.
Any information on where to fish, if guides are necessary, getting licenses, local fly shops, details on getting fishing gear through customs and into the country would be a huge help to me! I am worried that since 9-11-02 it might be tricky getting across the border with fishing gear?!?
When is the best time to catch trout during your season out there? Is late summer or early fall (August/September) a good time to fish your rivers and streams?
Thank you for your help and advice!