Bob Lowe was born and raised in Southern Alberta. Bob's father spent all of his free time fishing the streams, rivers and lakes. Bob was a regular participant in these trips along with quite a collection of similarly addicted gentlemen. Today, some of the river systems that are fished are popular destinations, but overall this part of the province is still considered pristine. Protection and sound fisheries management has created an environment some say will be the next "Yellowstone". In the late 70's I was introduced to the Bow River and was totally hooked. My first float trip was made in a 12 foot aluminum boat. On that trip we watched in awe the magnificent McKenzie Drift boats, with the guides rowing the well dressed clients with their expensive equipment. We caught fish but the desire to own one of those boats was born on that day. During the winter months my phone bill was outrageous as I contacted all the major manufacturers. My budget just wouldn't allow a factory built boat. Greg Tatum had a wood kit available and that turned into my first boat. For three years every free day was spent rowing that boat. Once you acquire a boat all you get to do is row because most smart fly fisherman never want to learn. Because I was on the river so much, outfitters started using me for a few trips every year and by the late 80's I was working for Dennis Evenson of Bow Valley Guides. Dennis runs a professional operation and because of his great work ethics and great love of the sport a lot of his knowledge and professionalism has rubbed off on me. A job transfer allowed me to move to Pincher Creek, which was like sending the fox into the henhouse. Because the river systems were more challenging we made the a transformation to rafts. We could be in the water only 15 minutes from home and the only human prints we were seeing were our own. I was truly in heaven! There was so much water to reaquaint myself with and that brought so many memories of walk wading with my Dad. The fishing was as good, if not better, than when I was a kid and I had acquired much more knowledge from Dennis and many of our clients. In the past six years I have rafted almost every mile of floatable water in this area. I have learned what can be floatable and at what time of the season. I have received permission from landowners for establishing access points to the water. My guides are respectful, safe and concientious people who have roots in the area. We all tie our favorite patterns and have knowledge of which patterns are effective in this area. Of course we have a few secret designs that we might share. Our equipment and boats are the best the industry offers. My wife, Billi, does all the behind the scenes work and my famous fishing dog, Buddy, is a regular on almost every trip. REFERENCES: Dennis Evensen Bow Valley Guides Ltd. Box 3949 Station M Calgary, AB 403-276-5013 Due North of Montana -- A guide to fly fishing in Alberta Author: Chris Dawson Publisher: Johnson Printing Boulder, Colorado