OLDMAN RIVER
The Oldman River flows West to East from the Rocky Mountains of Southern Alberta with many tributaries that include Racehorse Creek, Dutch Creek, Daisy Creek, Vicary creek, and Livingston. These tributaries join to form the Oldman River that travels through a stunning gap in the Livingston Mountain range. The river leaves from the Eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains to the ranch lands and funnels into the Oldman Reservoir along with the Crowsnest and Castle Rivers. Guided Fly Fishing on the Oldman River allows clients to access the knowledge of the river the guides have developed over years of Fly Fishing.
UPPER OLDMAN RIVER
West of the Livingston Mountain range is considered to be the best Cutthroat Trout fly fishing in Alberta. From July to October, these mountain streams produce excellent dry fly and dry dropper fishing for Cutthroat Trout and Rocky Mountain Whitefish, along with streamer fishing for deep hole dwelling, Bull Trout. Fishing the Upper Oldman River involves moving to several different access points and sections of the river throughout the day. This section of the river is truly majestic.
MIDDLE OLDMAN RIVER
As the mountain streams move through the “Gap” and head into the ranchlands the trout increase in size and Rainbow, “Cuttbows” take over for the Cutthroat Trout. The river increases in size with sections where crossing can be challenging while fly fishing. Gorges bends, and deep holes in this section of the river produce large Bull Trout and your guide will know where you need to be and when.
Late June and July large Golden Stone flys encourage hungry trout to feed during the day with late evening hatches occurring throughout the summer producing rising trout chances. Make sure you have a Green Drake or two and a handful of PMD’s on hand! Fall hopper, caddis, and dropper nymphs provide great fishing. Fly fishing in this section of the Oldman River will often involve packing a lunch and being away from your vehicle for much of the day. There are many remote sections where the fly fishing can be spectacular.
OLDMAN TAILWATER
Below the Three Rivers (Oldman) Dam the river increases size once again allowing drift boat access. We like to call this Drift and Wade fishing and our fly fishing guides know exactly where to float and when to get out and work a fly through a deep pocket. The river below the dam is a mid-size river, too large and deep to wade across yet manageable to walk and wade the edges. With very few access points and private land sections throughout the only way to access most of the river is by drift boat.
Bow River sized Rainbows, Browns and large Bull trout place this river, in our opinion, as one of the top Southern Alberta fly fishing destinations. We are one of the very few fishing guides on the Oldman River and even fewer that drift the river. Flies imitating Stones, Hoppers, Streamers, “Dropper rigs”, and matching small hatches such as PMD and Caddis will be used. This section of the river has large Rainbow, Brown, and Bull Trout.
The Outfitters home ranch is 200 yards off the river and we cross it daily. The good fishing starts in April pre runoff and leads in the September and October. We look forward to rowing a drift boat for you and guiding you to a hard fighting wild trout.
