Accommodations
Season
Species
Ideal for
Experience the Best Dry Fly Fishing in the Canadian Rockies
The world-renowned Elk River and tributaries are classic freestone streams, holding native Westslope cutthroat trout, as well as average-size resident bull trout. This phenomenal dry fly fishery is well known for its fish-holding structure and its crystal clear waters. You can drift or walk-and-wade with spectacular vistas of the Canadian Rockies. Andres and his team have a decade of experience in the area and over 25 years in the guiding industry, ensuring a memorable fishing experience.
Offering a variety of different lodging options in Fernie and at all price points, Andres FlyFishing is an excellent option for focused anglers, couples, larger groups, and families – all combined with breathtaking scenery while fishing carefully managed fisheries. We can’t imagine a better setting to pursue your Western trout fishing vacation.
Accommodation Details
Lodging Details
Andres FlyFishing books several options for lodging in Fernie.
Fernie Best Western (Fernie, BC) The Fernie Best Western is the most convenient and economical option in Fernie. The hotel is very nice and has a great location. Breakfast is included with a room night at the Best Western and there is a Boston Pizza located right next door as a quick dinner option.
The Historic 901, located in the heart of downtown Fernie, sits one of the most unmatched accommodation experiences in western Canada. Created from the restoration and rebuilding of the town’s original public school (from 1908), enjoy a variety of options with 2, 3, 4, or 5 bedroom Suites.
Lizard Creek Lodge is at Fernie Alpine Resort. The outdoor pool and hot tubs overlook the mountains. Each suite has differing configurations and plenty of amenities, with most suites having full kitchens, a fireplace in the lounge, and a private balcony. You’ll enjoy coming home and putting your feet up after a great day in the outdoors.
Food and Beverages
Dining options vary depending on which lodging option you choose. Lunch and non-alcoholic beverages are included during each of your guided days while fishing with Andres FlyFishing. Breakfast is included during a stay at Fernie Best Western. For a small ski town in the Canadian Rockies, a pleasant variety exists. Fernie’s multiculturalism, history, mountain culture, and hip vibe all blend to give its dining a thumbs up from global visitors and locals alike.
Typical Length of Stay
Trips of any length of stay can be arranged. Please call Yellow Dog for details.
Non-Angling Activities and Options
Located in the spectacular Canadian Rockies, Fernie is quickly gaining a reputation as a year-round adventure destination. Recently voted the “Best Small Town in BC” for the second year in a row, Fernie makes an ideal vacation destination. Mountain biking, white water rafting, golfing, shopping, and hiking are convenient and available.
Internet / Communications
Wi-Fi is available at most of the Andres FlyFishing lodging options, and cell phones work while in Fernie.
Travel Details
How To Get There
We suggest flying into Glacier International (FCA) in Kalispell, Montana, and renting a car for the drive to Fernie. Fernie is approximately 118 miles from Kalispell and the drive typically takes about two hours. There is a small airport in Cranbrook, BC (YXC) that has customs and accepts small private planes.
Documents Required
A passport is required for U.S. citizens to enter Canada. A British Columbia fishing license is required and may be purchased upon arrival.
Drunk Driving or other Criminal Record
Anyone with a criminal record (including a drunk driving conviction) may be excluded from Canada. A waiver of exclusion may be issued but several weeks are required and a processing fee must be paid. Contact the Canadian Embassy or a Canadian Consulate in the U.S. for more information.
Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog provides airline reservations ad ticketing assistance through etcTravel Group, and a full-service airline logistics agent that can help book airline tickets, hotels, rental cars, and more. You can click here to request a quote or contact Yellow Dog for more information at 406-585-8667. etcTravel Group offers dedicated support services for all Yellow Dog clients. Service fees may apply when booking or researching tickets, and etcTravel will discuss this with you before sending quotes.
Travel Tools
– Airline Ticketing
– Moon Phases
– Rent This Rod
– Trip Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
– Global Rescue Membership
Fishing
General Information
The guides at Andres FlyFishing have a vast amount of water to choose from throughout the area. Specific fishing areas will be decided based upon current conditions at the time of your trip. The following are just a few of the main rivers that are within reach. There are also several smaller tributaries
The Elk River, BC
The Elk River is home to a native population of both Westslope cutthroat and bull trout and is renowned for its dry fly fishing. The Elk River is the most easterly river in British Columbia, beginning at Elk Lakes and flowing for 110 miles before entering the Kootenay River. The Elk River provides consistent dry fly fishing for wild cutthroat trout, along with the chance of catching a very large bull trout.
The St. Mary River, BC
Like the Elk River, the St. Mary has a lake at the top that buffers flow and minimizes scouring during runoff. It’s also one of the most scenic floats that Andres FlyFishing offers. The St. Mary is home to very good populations of Westslope cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, cut-bows, bull trout, and the occasional Eastern brook trout. Like the Elk, the St. Mary is a dry-fly fisher’s paradise.
The Kootenay River, BC
A large freestone river with a good population of bull, cutthroat, and rainbow trout. The Kootenay River below Libby Dam in Montana is a renowned tailwater fishery, but above the dam and Lake Koocanusa (on the Canadian side of the border), the river is virtually untamed and unknown. It can be a great late season bull trout option.
The Crowsnest River, Alberta
Primarily a rainbow trout fishery, located in southern Alberta 45 minutes from Fernie, B.C. The best time to fly fish the “Crow” is from late June through October.
The Oldman River, Alberta
This scenic river starts in the mountains, spills out of the foothills, then flows over the prairies before eventually joining the Bow River. The tailwater stretch of the Oldman is home to brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and bull trout, and has superb hatches resulting in outstanding dry fly fishing.
Boats and Equipment
Float fishing on area rivers is done via McKenzie-style drift boats. Jet boats are used to fish the Kootenay River.
Rates and Terms
Package Rates
Remember that Yellow Dog’s services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter. Accommodation and fishing packages with Andres FlyFishing can be completely customized based on the destination, the number of nights lodging, and the number of guided fishing days.
Yellow Dog can arrange Bow River packages as well in conjunction with the Glenmore Inn in Calgary, Alberta and CAN set up Bow River, Elk River combo trips! Please call Yellow Dog for details and custom package pricing.
All prices are per person and quoted in US Dollars (USD). The following rates are based on double occupancy in the room and with the guide.
Fernie Best Western Package * (2 Queen Beds)
6 Nights / 5 Days of Fishing = $2,400.00
5 Nights / 4 Days of Fishing = $1,800.00
4 Nights / 3 Days of Fishing = $1,400.00
The Historic 901 901 * (3 Bedroom Penthouse)
4 Nights / 3 Days of Fishing = $1,950.00
Lizard Creek Lodge * (Studio Suite with Loft and Kitchen)
4 Nights / 3 Days of Fishing = $1,450.00
* The room rates for the Best Western – THE HISTORIC 901 and Lizard Creek Lodge do fluctuate a bit due to the CAD – USD exchange rate and will be solidified at the time of booking
What’s Included:
- Lodging in your choice of accommodation
- All guided fishing
- Packed cooler lunch on the water each day
- Use of all equipment (rods, reels, and all flies)
- Ground transportation to and from the river
- Breakfast is only included at Fenie Best Western
What’s Not Included:
- Transportation to Calgary, AB or Fernie, BC
- Fishing licenses
- Alcoholic beverages
- Gratuities guides and staff
- Breakfast at Lizard Creek Lodge
- Breakfast at Historic 901 (Big Bang Bagels is within walking distance!)
- Dinner each evening
- Package Sales taxes and GST’s (added to final YD invoice)
Daily Rates
Day trip fly fishing rates include guide service, transportation, lunches, non-alcoholic beverages, flies, tippet, and spare rods. Fishing licenses and other incidentals are not included. Certain waters have an additional fee, please inquire to Yellow Dog for details on Day Trips out of Fernie or Calgary. Rates below are for 1 or 2 anglers.
Elk River Day Trip = $585.00
Michel Creek. Day Trip = $600.00
St. Mary’s Day Trip = $635.00
Crowsnest River Day Trip = $635.00
Bull River Day Trip = $635.00
WigWam Day Trip = $635.00
Andres Flyfishing (British Columbia)
TERMS AND CONDITIONS – CANCELLATIONS
A deposit of 50% per person is due at the time of booking to hold both space and guides on all packages. No space or guides will be held without receipt of deposit. Full pre-payment is due 90 days prior to date of trip. All cancellations must be received in writing, sent to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, LLC. For cancellations, deposits and/or final payments are non-refundable, although if cancelled outside of 60 days from start of trip, Andres Flyfishing will honor your deposit for a trip at a later date. Inside of 60 days from start of trip, deposits and/or final payments are non-refundable and no credits will be issued. Based on the circumstances of a cancellation, Andres Flyfishing reserves the right to apply a portion of the payment towards a future trip.
Yellow Dog strongly recommends that anglers and guests purchase travel insurance for your trip. Andres Flyfishing will not refund payments in the event of poor weather or for unused portions of any package. Receipt of deposit and/or final payment is acknowledgment that registrant has read and accepts the deposit, cancellation, refund and responsibility clauses for these packages.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW YELLOW DOG GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND CANCELLATION POLICIES
Payment Terms For All Yellow Dog Trip Bookings
In order to lock in your trip reservation, we ask that you please remit payment at the time of receipt of invoice. For your convenience, Yellow Dog accepts on-line payments via a direct and secure ACH platform – a quick and easy way to complete your trip reservation. Note that all Yellow Dog invoices include a live link that takes you directly to the Yellow Dog ACH platform for fast and easy payment. For open and existing invoices with a remaining balance, payment reminders also include this easy link to the ACH page.
Other customary forms of payment that are accepted are checks or wire transfers. If you would like to pay in a different way or have any questions about alternate payment methods, please contact Yellow Dog at (888) 777-5060 or (406) 585-8667. We are available Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Beginning September 1st, 2020, Yellow Dog will apply a 3% convenience fee for all credit card transactions.
Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures Standard Forms For Payment
- ACH online payments (for US banking institutions only).
- Traditional checks (sent via mail)
- Electronic wire payments (client is responsible for any wiring fees)
*Please contact us if you prefer or require a different payment option. Convenience fees may apply for other payment methods.
**Please be aware that the ACH platform is only available for US financial institutions and bank accounts. International payments can be made via wire or with a credit card.
Yellow Dog Customer Reviews
“Both Andres and Tanner were a pleasure to fish with. They worked hard to put us on numerous, big beautiful cutthroat every day and are very protective of the Elk’s wonderful fishery which we were very impressed with. The hot riverside lunches were off the charts good with grilled Pork tenderloin, salmon and chicken. Fernie is a great little town to visit and our 5 night stay at Birch Meadows Lodge as arranged by Andres and Yellow Dog was completely comfortable and enjoyable with Sonyas’s Breakfasts to die for! the whole experience is highly recommended.” – W. C. Frohlich
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