Iconic western trout with orange throat slashes. Closer to Calgary in select foothill streams; superb dry-fly target in clear water.
Where to Catch: Small–mid foothill streams west/southwest of the city; clear, cold creeks with gravelly bottoms.
Best Time to Fish: Summer through early fall when flows stabilize and insect activity peaks.
| Season | Activity |
|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Fair to good late spring; small nymphs/leeches in soft seams. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Excellent on dries (caddis, PMD, ants, hoppers); small streamers on cloudy days. |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Good; fish feed up before winter; terrestrials/attractor dries early fall. |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Limited; many small streams ice over or close—check regs. |
Peak Season: Late June–August in clear, stable flows.
Tackle & Tips
Lures: Ultralight spinners/micro spoons; subtle presentations.
Bait: Often artificial-only—verify rules.
Leaders: 9–12 ft, 5X–6X tippet.
Gear: 3–4 wt fly rods; ultralight spinning, 2–6 lb line.
