Hi to everyone - v new to all this but we hope to be out in Alberta early next year. In the meantime do any of you Albertans know the best places to go fishing? I know there is a lot of fly fishing but is there any good old coarse fishing out there?

Regards, Cal

Where in Alberta?

I've not been out fishing this year, but last year and the year before I did alot out past Bragg Creek - theres a couple of stocked ponds out there, and lots of places along the Elbow river. There are small ponds all over the place, and if you have a 4x4, you can go off the beaten track and fish in peace!

At the time, I lucked out and had an expert fishing friend, he knew all the places to go - but I can't remember half of them now, only the popular ones.

When you buy your fishing licence, they will give you a booklet containing details of the various places to go fishing, along with the rules and seasons.

To tell you the truth, BC is the best place for Albertans to fish, due to access to salmon from the ocean, but the following links are for fishing in Alberta:

This site has a discussion forum and lots of photos; why don’t you join in:
http://www.fishalberta.com/

A few more, just for fun:
http://www.bowriverflyfishing.com/
http://www.bowriver.com/intro.htm

Most Canadians will probably never have heard of coarse fishing. My girlfriend used to laugh at all the people fishing over in the UK, the rod lengths are somewhat larger

There some places that have Carp, and of course northern Pike but most of this is done with lures and spinners.

I found fishing very different over here from back home.

Then of course, there`s ice fishing, now that`s an experience!!

Like Simon, I've fished the stocked ponds - Allen Bill & McLean Ponds are pretty popular - people bring along a bar-b-q to cook thier catch. Can be very busy on warm weekend days. Go on a cool rainy morning and you get the fish and the lake to yourself!

You'll also see an osprey which is pretty good at catching the fish.

I've tried the Bow once or twice without success - I've seen the trout in it, but didn't catch any. It also has mountain whitefish, which are related to trout.

The lakes in the other parts of the province have some walleye - most of the fishing is catch & release because the fish populations aren't high and the fish have to be large to breed.

The provincial government site is here:
http://www3.gov.ab.ca/srd/fw/fishing/

I'm told BC has good fishing, haven't tried it as I like to nip out for a quick hour's fishing.

Don't expect to do much fishing before June - the Kanaskis lakes stay frozen until around May! About the same time the Bow thaws - it's covered in ice for the early part of the year.

Many thanks for all the replies. Guess I'll have to start learning to tie flies!

Simon - we're heading out Calgary way!

Thanks again, Jayne

It's not the expensive sport it is in the UK .... fly fishing is cheaper than spinning.