The living waters of the Bow River
A journey of nature, culture, and renewal
Every drop of water in southern Alberta’s Bow River tells a story. The river was born at the end of the last ice age, when glaciers retreated 10,000 to 12,000 years ago in what is now Banff National Park. It has since veined its way along a 587 km course through Calgary and into the prairies. Life was born from the Bow, and in return, it gave life. For thousands of years, Indigenous people travelled the Bow River; it was a highway, a source of water, and its banks offered a home rich with sustenance. Douglas fir trees along the Bow’s banks were ideal for crafting sturdy hunting bows—the river’s namesake.
Fly fishing guide Quinn Soonias of Drift Out West Fly Fishing has formed a strong bond with the river, sharing stories from his Cree heritage in which fishing transcends sport and becomes an experience. Stocking the Bow River with rainbow trout and brown trout began in the 1920s and continued through the late 1940s. Downstream from Calgary, the river provides ideal conditions for trout to flourish. It is world-famous as one of the best fly fishing spots on the planet, and Quinn reads the river like a book.
The Weather Network host, Nathan Coleman (left), holding a fish he caught with Quinn Soonias of Drift Out West Fly Fishing. (The Weather Network)
Quinn is thorough, enthusiastic, and genuine in his efforts to guide you through a fishing experience. He helps you witness everything the Bow has to offer. This experience goes beyond just feeling a trout eagerly take one of Quinn’s hand-tied flies. It’s a restorative journey. In Cree teachings, rivers are regarded as sacred living spirits and part of the medicine wheel, symbolizing nurturing and healing—a life-giving force the Bow has sustained for thousands of years. The river is considered one of Mother Earth’s veins. It not only transports water from point A to point B but also connects life between these points. It’s a cleansing force. After a day of fishing with Quinn, many walk away with a peaceful sense of renewal.
(The Weather Network)
Quinn, as a guide, hopes his guests enjoy fishing and feel some of the wellness benefits of connecting with nature through fly fishing. He wants them to learn about the area and his cultural traditions. For example, the simple act of casting a line into the water and allowing the fly, which mimics a bug, to drift naturally along the riverbed, combined with time spent in nature, has been shown to help maintain a healthy outlook and foster mental clarity. It also provides a level of excitement when a trout has its moment of awareness and strikes your line. If you're a beginner wondering how to land that fish, don’t worry. Quinn will guide you.
CLICK HERE to return to the Experiencing Canada main page for more videos and articles.