The guides at Andres Fly Fishing have a vast amount of water to choose from all throughout the area
Specific fishing areas will be decided based upon current conditions at the time of your trip. The following are just a few of the main rivers that are within reach. There are also several smaller tributaries.
Elk River, BC
The Elk River is home to a native population of Westslope cutthroat and bull trout and is renowned for its dry fly fishing. The Elk River is the most easterly river in British Columbia, beginning at Elk Lakes and flowing for 110 miles before entering the Kootenay River. The Elk River provides consistent dry fly fishing for wild cutthroat trout, along with the chance of catching a very large bull trout.
St. Mary River, BC
Like the Elk River, the St. Mary has a lake at the top that buffers flow and minimizes scouring during runoff. It’s also one of the most scenic floats that Andres FlyFishing offers. The St. Mary is home to very good populations of Westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, cut-bows, bull trout, and the occasional Eastern brook trout. Like the Elk, the St. Mary is a dry-fly fisher’s paradise.
Kootenay River, BC
A large freestone river with a good population of bull, cutthroat and rainbow trout. The Kootenay River below Libby Dam in Montana is a renowned tailwater fishery, but above the dam and Lake Koocanusa (on the Canadian side of the border), the river is virtually untamed and unknown. It can be a great late season bull trout option.
Crowsnest River, Alberta
Primarily a rainbow trout fishery, located in southern Alberta 45 minutes from Fernie, B.C. The best time to fly fish the “Crow” is from late June through October.
Oldman River, Alberta
This scenic river starts in the mountains, spills out of the foothills, then flows over the prairies before eventually joining the Bow River. The tailwater stretch of the Oldman is home to brown, rainbow, cutthroat and bull trout, and has superb hatches resulting in outstanding dry fly fishing.
Boats and Equipment
Float fishing on area rivers is done via McKenzie-style drift boats. Jet boats are used to fish the Kootenay River.
