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The Cascade River in Banff National Park is one of the most beautiful wild rivers in Alberta.
It starts in the Rocky Mountains west of Cremona, in the same general area as the Red Deer drainage creeks such as the Fallentimber
and the Panther which flow east.The Cascade flows south to join Lake Minnewanka just north of the town of Banff. The access
is best at this point, though some hardy adventurers can hike up the Panther or come in on trails through the Ghost Wilderness
Area. The Cascade River Fire Road starts at the old Bankhead town trailhead, mountain biking is allowed for the lower 14 km
of the road to the junction of Stony Creek, it's a good steady climb up the road. BEWARE there are numerous bears in the area,
but according to the Brewster horse wranglers the bears will avoid people for the most part. This entire section of the river
has lots of pools, runs, riffles, undercut banks and log sweepers which makes for excellent trout habitat. The majority of
fish are cutthroat with the size ranging from 6 to 15 inches. There are also rumoured to be Bull Trout in the river, but I
have never seen one, though I also have not fished for them. The more closely accessed areas tend to have the smaller fish.
Most dryfly patterns that catch cutts on other rivers and creeks work here too, things like the Trude, Stimulators, Mayfly
imitations and deerhairs, in sizes 10 to 14. I have also caught them on samll beadhead patterns, and nymphs like the hares
ear and pheasant tail in sizes 12 to 18. It is classic cutthroat water and the fish are quite co-operative, with many times
more than one fish coming to your fly. Sometimes a larger fish will rise up, only to have a smaller trout rush up and @#%&@#
it away. From Stony Creek north only hiking is allowed and the river gets more rocky and freestone. The scenary is spectacular,
the fishing excellent, and a license is $20.00 a year. I have only seen one other fisherman on the water while I have been
there, and also not seen many signs of human action. It is only catch and release fishing with all hooks to be barbless. If
you like adventure fishing and don't mind being dogtired at the end of the day, give the Cascade a try. Remember to bring
lots of water, warm clothes, extra food and keep your eyes open for bears.
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