It’s a new year but the same old Bow River trout still need love. My lovely girlfriend and I headed out this past weekend to take advantage of the wonderful weather we have experienced here …
Wishing all the readers of the Blog a very Merry Christmas this season. We wish to thank everyone for their continued support here at the Bow River Blog. It’s hard to believe we are in …
It was amazing to get out inner city fishing the Bow River before it got cold and winter takes its icy hold on Calgary. I was fishing the Robertson Tackle Sunrise Samurai today with great …
Still can’t believe you left us much too early. One day we were talking and fishing and the next day you were gone. I know everybody has to leave this earth eventually, but my heart …
It’s always an honor and pleasure to guide and fish with my friend, and Calgary Stampeder, Mr. Reggie Begelton. In early August, Reggie had asked me if we could create some content for the CFL. …
It’s always an honor and pleasure to guide and fish with my friend, and Calgary Stampeder, Mr. Reggie Begelton. In early August, Reggie had asked me if we could create some content for the CFL. While on a bye-week, which means the club has no football games that week, we awoke early and met the two camera guys, who work for the CFL, here in Calgary.
After meeting up, we headed out to the mountains to shoot the video and spend the day at the lake. The video has just recently been released, so I can now share it with all my readers. I really appreciate Reggie including me in this fantastic trip. Special thanks to the CFL for the great day!
It’s been a challenging early August here on the Bow River with all Rivers Running chocolate milk in color.
I went down to check the Highwood River and it’s extremely dirty and high, making the lower Bow River virtually unfishable. One may catch the odd trout, but the chances are very low.
According to news reports, this is the fifth rainiest season on record, making conditions on the Bow River far from ideal.
Hoping things will clean up soon, so we can get back on the river and back to the trout we love.
Often, people don’t own boats and would like to hire fishing guides out on a local river or lake. You may be traveling and would like to fish while you are on holidays! Hiring a fishing guide can teach you a lot about a local waterbody, while catching fish along your day’s journey! As a small business, I appreciate every person who uses my services, whether they are local, or from out of province/country.
Some fishing guides either make a part time living, or a full time living offering these services. It is either their primary means of supporting themselves, or like me, it subsidizes my income. Guides normally have a boat, all the gear to provide you for the day, gas for the boat, trucks to pull the boat, lunches if that is provided, and on and on it goes.
There is a lot of planning that goes into every trip which includes shopping for lunches, making lunches, checking and maintaining gear, spooling reels with new line, organizing tackle boxes, making trips to and from local tackle shops, boat maintenance are some examples. There is a great deal of work and time that goes into every trip!
As a business owner, I take customer service very seriously! I set myself apart from any competition. I answer your emails and calls promptly and get back to you quickly. After all, “I’m not the only guide in town”. After we arrange your trip, that YOU booked, you cancel on short notice, or no notice at all. Thanks for wasting my time.
Years ago, a regular client booked a trip with me. I made lunch, went to the local tackle shop and bought 100.00 worth of lures, gassed up the truck, woke up early, showed up to the boat launch and the client never showed up. After many phone calls, and several text messages that morning, I stood there in disbelief! That guy was never welcome back in my boat again, and justifiably so! Many guides make this their full time living! Its not just a little side hustle, it’s their way of life. It’s their job!
So, what’s your point Mike?
The point is, I was counting on that money to pay my mortgage, to buy food for the week to feed myself and my child. It was money that was going towards the light bill, the internet connection so I could keep my business running. It was going to put gas in the truck so I could make appointments for the week. And now, none of that will happen!
I urge you, please think about the guide before you cancel on short notice. I understand, things do happen in life, and I will reschedule with you when those things do arise. Please be mindful that the funds you are paying the guide for your trip is oftentimes used to pay bills. When you cancel, those bills don’t get paid. Please be aware that when you cancel on short notice, I could have put another client in your place and made money to cover my bills.
This season I can fish mid-week, so my dear friend Rob Clarke from Edmonton decided to come down to Calgary and join me for a full day trip on the Bow River this past Monday. Rob arrived Sunday evening which gave us time to catch up and have a mean steak dinner at my place.
After chatting and filling our bellies, we headed to bed early and arose at 5am to birds chirping and blue skies. After making coffee, and loading the truck with gear, we headed down to McKinnon Flats and launched the G3 jet boat at 6 AM.
I decided to document our trip and make a video for YouTube. I like looking back on video footage in the dead of winter when its too cold to fish.
