Testimonials

I would like to thank Mike very much for making my fishing trip on the Bow River in August of 2006 a trip I will never forget. I cannot remember the last time I caught so many fish in one day. I would highly recommend fishing with Mike to all my friends back home. Todd. P.

16 comments

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    • Asad on August 15, 2008 at 8:45 am
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    Hey Mike,
    i read alot of information on your site and its great i tell ya, is it possible if i can meet up with you next time you go fishing? please reply me back via email and give me your ph# so we can talk and plan out a trip to bow fishing, never fished in a river and i am looking forward to do it with you, i need a guide who can train me up, hope for the best,
    Asad

    • on August 16, 2008 at 1:51 pm
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    Hello Asad, I will e-mail you my information you have requested and we can get together for a trip very soon. The fall months provide awesome fishing for monster Brown’s that are getting ready to spawn later on in the fall.

    I look forward to floating the Bow River with you and getting you into some serious trout.

    ~Mike.

    • Asad on August 18, 2008 at 11:21 am
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    Hey Mike,
    i am looking forward to it much more than you, i need a guide, a teacher who can teach me how to play bow’s water, i usually go fishing alone as none of my friends are interested and they all think its boring but they do not know as they are ignorant. I do not want to miss on this opportunity to fish with you and i’d say we should get on the trip as soon as possible. Please email me your phone# as i do not want to leave mine on the blog, looking forward.
    Asad

    • on August 18, 2008 at 1:04 pm
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    Hello Again Asad, not to sound conceited but I am that guy. I will teach you how to catch and release massive trout while we fish the Bow River.

    I have e-mailed you my phone number so we can do this trip. I suggest a float trip at this time of the year.

    I look forward to seeing you with a monster trout on the end of your fishing line.

    ~Mike.

    • John M on March 18, 2010 at 9:59 pm
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    Hello, What a great website! I was wondering where on the Bow you would recommend to use a spinning rod? I have a Light action rod/reel with 6 lb test.I was also wondering what lures you would recommend? Thank you for your time and input!

    • on March 18, 2010 at 10:35 pm
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    Thanks so much John, I use a spin rod everywhere on the Bow. I have fished from the Bow Glacier all the way past the Carseland Weir. You will do well with the lures I have suggested here on the site, see the “Tackle” category and you will see and learn about what I use on the Bow.

    I would suggest using 8lb test as there are some BIG fish in the Bow River, I use Berkley XT. Very good monofilament fishing line. I use a medium action spinning rod, Berkley Precision Tech and the the Berkley Series One medium action.

    Thanks for your comment and hope that answers your questions. Please visit again soon.

    ~Mike.

    • John M on March 19, 2010 at 11:05 pm
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    Hello, well I am sold on the Rapala crackin rap and the Countdown. What are your opinions on a bait caster tho? I was gonna get a medium action combo with 12 lb test. Think that could handle those big browns/ Rainbows from the vids?

    • on March 20, 2010 at 6:12 pm
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    Hello John, I do not like bait casters to fish the Bow but everyone has there personal preference. I like spinning rods when I fish rivers, medium action at the most. I feel 12lb test is too much, it takes the fun out of it for me. I NEVER go over 8lb test when I fish the Bow River. There is no need to use anything more than 8lb test line.

    Please let me know what you decided on for a rod and reel.

    Thanks,

    ~Mike.

    • Mike B on April 22, 2011 at 9:45 pm
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    Hey there Mike, I have been looking online for the longest time trying to find out about fishing the bow in Cochrane. I have fished it several times now and i have had no success. I catch lots of fish everywhere else on the bow and i tend to use the same techniques and flies that work in the south of the city. Is it just the time of year or have you any suggestions. I know that there are fish there but its just not happening for me. It would be great to hear what you have to say.

    Thank you,

    Mike

    • on April 22, 2011 at 9:57 pm
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    Hello Mike, thanks for the question. It is in my opinion that there are many more trout down river in the “south of the city” and the chances of catching fish from Police to Mac say are much greater. In the upper Bow near Cochrane the are less trout per square kilometer and the chances go down as a result.

    I have done a little fishing near Cochrane and fish great looking stretches of water where I would bet my house that there is fish and do not catch anything. I spent most of the day fishing in several locations near Cochrane and only came away with two or three trout. So I can’t tell you exactly why that is but it has happened to me before as well Mike.

    If anyone has a more scientific answer to Mike’s question than feel free to post a reply here.

    I hope that my answer clears the air a little for you Mike.

    Thanks for the question and I hope to see you back here often,

    ~Mike.

    • Mike B on April 26, 2011 at 3:28 pm
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    Thank you for the reply. I will be keeping my eyes open.

    mike

  12. I was having alot of trouble catching fish on the Bow. I was always reading forms and searching for information and tips that would get me into fish. There isn’t alot of info out there until I stumbled across the bowriverblog! After reading the stories and tips Mike provides in the Blog I hit the river with a whole new confidence. I have learned much about differnt tatics and ways to approach the river that have got me into more fish consistently. Mike told me that I should learn about the species themselves and learn how to “read” the river to help me find the fish. This tip has help me the most, and turned me into a more successful angler. Thanks to Mike and the bowriverblog.

    • on March 12, 2012 at 1:59 am
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    Hello Charlie, thanks very much for the kind praise. Very humbled to hear you have been reading the Blog and making the tips included here count on the river. It has always been my hope that I am helping other anglers achieve success where they have failed in the past. Hearing your comment really inspires me to keep posting high quality content that will help anglers like yourself achieve success.

    “Hitting a river with confidence” is very important to hooking fish, walking onto a river bank with a plan can be very rewarding as you know Charlie. Bottom line is I am very happy you have put the content here to use on the river with success.

    Nice to finally meet you at Bass Pro Shop this past weekend.

    Cheers,

    ~Mike

    • Harley on August 20, 2012 at 1:18 pm
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    Good day, I am going to Cochrane for Labor Day long weekend and planned on trying some fly fishing. Where would be a good spot and what is hatching around there at that time of year?

    • on August 21, 2012 at 11:50 pm
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    Hello Harley, I do not fly fish so I cannot give you any advice on which flies to use near Cochrane. You can try a few of the fly fishing forums they have on the Internet, those folks are usually very helpful.

    Thanks and good fishing to you,

    Mike

    • Darryl D on October 7, 2020 at 2:46 pm
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    We fished this summer with Mike and learned a ton about trout and cast placement. It was an epic day at 28c and we still caught over 30+ Rainbows and a Brown trout.
    We had a great shore lunch break and even caught fish from shore too.
    It was an overall great day and I fully recommend it to anyone looking for adventure. Mike has fishing and gear knowledge that blew us away.
    The way he reads the river and the current is awesome.
    The adventure would be great for kids and spouses.
    5 Stars in my books!!

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