FLY FISHING BOW RIVER OUTFITTERS
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DATES FOR 2021 CLASSES 
COMING SOON

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FALL 2020

SPRING 2020

SPRING 2019

Our philosophy :
A Professional Guide is a professional at all times; they are mentally alert and physically prepared for a strenuous day of guiding. Their self-confidence can be observed but not heard; they are totally prepared for the day and ready to accept its challenges—good or bad. Their appearance and dress show pride in themselves and the operation they represent. They immediately become a teacher to their clients and the client readily accepts their leadership.  We understand that what makes us successful is our strong work ethic, our patience, and the desire to LOVE on people. 

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  Have you always wondered it what it takes to become a professional fishing guide? You are not the only one.  We field this question on a daily basis, and seeing such a high demand for it, we have created Western Canada Fly Fishing Guide School.  After spending 2018 beta testing our course with another group, and having great success with the students, we are excited to offer our school bi-annually. We are going on our 5th and 6th classes in 2021 . 
  Understanding that there is a high demand for people curious about what it takes to become a fly fishing guide, we have spent the last 3 years fine tuning , and beta testing a course that will give you the most insight, and equip you with preparedness to start your journey off on the right foot. 
  Guiding can be a lucrative career, but it comes with some very heavy demands, and it's not for everyone.  We want you to know that becoming a guide doesn't require the best of fly fisher(people) it requires the best of People, with a diverse toolbox of skills, ready to to be used every single day. At WC Fly Fishing Guide School, we will help you develop your "Guides Toolbox", unique to you as a person, not just turning you into a fly fishing guide "mold" . We want to make guiding easier for you, and the way to do that is to prepare you in the most diverse situations we can re-create.  With our years of experience in the guiding industry, we are fully equipped to pass on this knowledge to our students! 
  We pride ourself in maintaining our 2:1 students to instructor ratio, unlike many other outfits, we like to keep our class sizes small, so our students can get the most out of their 6 days with us. A typical day at guide school will start with us in the classroom before we head down to the river. On the 6th day of the school, you will have a pseudo guided trip, with a client of Fly Fishing Bow River Outfitters, as well as an instructor with WC Fly Fishing Guide School. 

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Class of 2020 Spring

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Class of 2019

Who is this course for?
  • Men and Women who are wanting to learn more about the guide industry and potentially make this a career and have a head start when applying to outfitters or lodges
  • Men and Women who are wanting to start a career in outfitting / guiding 
  • Men and Women who already guide, but want to hone and refine their skills with other like minded people
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What should you expect from guide school:
  • 6 days ~ 60-70 hours
  • Access to Industry leaders with over 50 years outfitting/ guiding
  • 10%-15% classroom time
  • 85%-90% on the water 
  • Fly Fishing Aptitude
  • Knot Tying
  • Entomology and fish feeding habits 
  • Boat handling on a river ( rowing / Safety / Knowledge / SPEED)
  • Swift Water Rescue, and river safety
  • Boat handling for different styles of fishing
  • ​General Guiding Competence, and Skills to be confident to take clients on the river 
  • The ability to teach each skill set to your clients, to give them the needed skill set for making the day on the water one to remember ( from casting to catching more fish )
  • Fly Fishing Photography ( Fish First) 
  • Social Media In the industry( ethics, professional code of conduct, leveraging) 
  • Marketing your self in the industry
  • The business of guiding / outfitting  
  • An inside look at how the industry works ( fly shop, outfitters, code of conduct, dealing with other industry professionals)
  • Guiding from a Drift Boat
  • Walk n wade strategies, and safety
  • How to prepare for and handle overnight guided camping/ fishing trips
  • Proficiency trailering / launching  a boat ( understanding maintenance with boat trailers)
  • and more...

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What's included in your Tuition?
  • 6 days 60-70 hours of Instruction
  • Transportation to and from the River
  • River Shuttles
  • ​Drift boats are provided 
  • Lunch Every day including yours and your clients lunch on the pseudo guide day ​
  • Course Materials 
  • Certificate of Completion 
​What's NOT included:
  • ​Alberta Fishing Licence 
  • Accommodations or Food ( beyond what is stated above)
  • Travel to Calgary, Alberta
  • Personal Fly Fishing gear

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2019 FLY FISHING GUIDE SCHOOL DATES
Guide School #1 Dates 
6 days
Friday-Saturday-Sunday May 31-June 2nd  
&
Friday-Saturday-Sunday June 7th-9th


2020 WESTERN CANADA FLY FISHING GUIDE SCHOOL DATES
6 days each

Due to the High volume of inquiries, 30% deposit will be required to hold your spot in your class 

Class #1 $2499 cad + gst. FULL
6 days
 April 17-19th / Friday - Sunday 
April 24-26th / Friday - Sunday 

Class #2 $2499 cad + gst
6 days
September 20-25 2020
Sunday-Friday

2021 WESTERN CANADA FLY FISHING GUIDE SCHOOL DATES 
Class #1 $2499 cad + gst.
6 days
 TBD
Class #2 $2499 cad + gst
6 days
TBD
Class #3 $2499 cad + gst
6 days
TBD


* If you need accommodations, we have a great rates set up at our preferred vendor, ask about this when booking * 




Still not convinced this is for you? Give us a call and we would love to discuss this more! We realize this is an investment , but we can promise you, you wont find a more diverse and all encompassing guide school around. We take pride in developing you as a person not just fitting you into the mold of a "fishing guide" . This will set you up for success in which ever path your guide career may take you.  


    Want to know more, or Sign Up?

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    Bragging may not bring happiness, but no man having caught a large fish goes home through an alley

FLY FISHING BOW RIVER OUTFITTERS
​phone 403-968-9877

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Guided Trips
    • River Floats
    • Lake/Pike Trips
    • Walk and Wade Trips
    • Overnight Excursions
    • Lessons
  • Contact Us
  • WC Fly Fishing Guide School
  • Fly Fishing Academy
  • Thursday Night Live
    • Thursday Night Live
    • TNL Season 1
    • TNL Season 2
    • TNL Season 3
  • Testimonials
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • FAQ
  • The Bow River
  • Podcast