What to bring for a Banff Trail Riders Fishing Trip
with accommodation in Wilderness Tent Camps
Below is a list of items you NEED to bring with you. We have had many years of personal experience
dealing with Mother Nature up here, so please take our list to heart.
Average Temperature
Month
June
July
August
September
High
19C / 66F
22C / 71F
22C / 70F
16C / 60F
Low
5C / 41F
7C / 45F
7C / 44F
3C / 38F
Average temperatures at an elevation of 4538 feet. Temperatures will drop at higher elevations.
When packing your gear, keep in mind it is being packed out and our animal's comfort
is very important to us. By following these guidelines you can help us ensure that:
For our fishing trips you should split your gear into 2 bags: Your camp bag and your days fishing
gear.
Your camp gear: You must pack your gear in soft bag. It can not have any hard edges, frames or wheels.
Your gear is restricted to a Total maximum weight of 30 lbs including your sleeping bag,. If you do not have
a water-resistant bag, it is a good idea to line the inside with garbage bags in the event of rain. You may pack
your sleeping bag separately from your other gear. Your camp gear goes directly to camp and is NOT
available to you during the day.
Your fishing gear: Each day we will ride to a fishing location please pack your fishing gear separate and we
will pack this with us on our day ride. Again please keep this gear to a minimum
Saddlebags, here you can pack your items for the day: rain gear and other essentials that you will need
during the day (camera, sunscreen, bug spray, lip balm, extra sweater, water bottle, etc) that you are taking
on your horse with you are not included in the 30lb weight restriction.
The length of your trip will alter what you need to bring. This list is ideal for a 6 day trip.
The following list details essential items to bring with you:
1. A warm sleeping bag -- We recommend a bag rated to -15 degrees Celsius or 5 degrees Fahrenheit.
You may not need it, but it sure comes in handy if you do. A favourite cowboy trick for extra warmth
is to tuck a flannel sheet or non-bulky blanket inside your sleeping bag. WE SUPPLY MATTRESS
AT EACH CAMP.
2. A warm coat -- Essential to ward off chilly nights or a windy day. Also bring a heavy sweater (wool
is a great insulator) or fleece jacket.
3. Rain gear -- A rain coat and rain pants, and if possible, coverings for your boots and hat. Please DO
NOT bring rain ponchos, they flap in the wind and spook the horses. If you have one, we recommend
an oilskin slicker. We have a limited supply of full-length oilskin slickers available. These are
available for pick up upon check in based on a first come first served basis.
Clothing that is easily layered works the best. You can always remove what you don't need, but you still
have it just in case. Also, bring your most comfortable gear -- this is not the time to break-in new boots or a
new hat.
4. Shirts – long sleeve and t-shirts to your preference and length of trip.
5. Jeans – a cowboy classic. Also important is a pair of long underwear for chilly nights.
6. Riding boots -- A boot with a heel that can easily slip in and out of stirrups. Alternatives would be a
narrow style of hiking boot or solid sneaker. For safety reasons, clunky hiking boots are not
recommended. Water (rain) resistant boots are recommended.
7. Sneakers -- or an extra pair of shoes for wearing around camp, an extra pair of DRY socks is also
recommended.
8. Toiletries -- towel, facecloth, biodegradable shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, disposable razors, etc.
Please note that we do not have any electricity at the camps. WE SUPPLY TOILET PAPER AND
HAND SOAP AT ALL CAMPS.
9. Hat -- A cowboy hat offers the most protection from the elements. Baseball caps or canvas-type hats
are also fine. Please ensure that your hat fits snug or ties on and will not blow off in the wind. Chin
straps are receommended.
10. Gloves -- Lined leather or suede gloves provide protection from the elements and a sure grip on the
reins (bring two pair just in case one gets wet).
11. Scarf -- A silk or cotton scarf is recommended for extra warmth.
12. Sunscreen-- sunglasses and mosquito repellent.
13. Your camera – extra batteries.
14. Flashlight -- Remember to check your batteries!
15. Liquor – Each of our camps are licenced and offer a selection of wine and beer.
16. Cellular phones do not work in the areas you'll be riding in so leave them somewhere safe. If you
will be using the camera on your phone, please note there is no charging station in the backcountry.
17. Water bottle - for refreshment while you are riding. You will be able to refill your water bottle at
each camp.
18. Saddlebags – You are welcome to bring your own; please fill them with only those essential items
that you would need during the day, such as lip balm, your camera, sunscreen, etc. We reserve the
right to limit the amount of gear in the saddlebags for weight. Daypacks, backpacks or other bags are
NOT allowed -- they are hard on your back and hard on the horse's back, and do not tie properly to
the saddle.
Equipment Rental
Email Bactrax/Snowtips at [email protected], for information regarding sleeping bags/liners,
luggage bags etc. Located at 225 Bear Street (just a block away from Banff Trail Riders), Snowtips offers a
convenient rental service. They are open from 8am until 8pm, and would love to receive your inquiries. If
you would prefer to contact them by telephone, they can be reached at (403) 762-8177.
Fishing License. – Each participant must have their own license for Banff National Park. You must show
us your fishing license at the check in and carry this permit on your person for the duration of the trip. If you
need to purchase a license we do sell them at the Trail Rider Store. More info is available here.
Fishing Gear – this gear is not inclusive of your luggage 30lb weight limit and will be accessible at
streams and lake stops during the day.
Fly Rod and/or Spinner Rod with reel. Rods must be in cases or collapsible.
Fishing line
Rubber boots, hip waders, or chest waders – personal choice
Small trout net
Riding boots – should also be comfortable for walking to that perfect fishing hole
All tackle boxes must be no bigger then 10”x12”
Tackle: Spinner Rod
- Spoons (kamlooper spoons, red and white spoons, five of diamonds spoons)
- Spinners ( Panther martin, blue fox, and Mepps Spinners)
o Tackle: Fly Rod
- Dry Fly’s
- Wet Fly’s/ streamers Fly’s
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Please note you are traveling and fishing in a National Park and there are certain
restrictions.
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There is a zero possession limit on bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout in Banff
National Park. The only fish that can be retained throughout most of Banff National Park
are non-native fish such as brook trout, brown trout, and rainbow trout (max possession
is 2 fish).
Westslope Cuthroat trout are federally listed as a "Threatened Species" in Canada.
Although you may catch and release this species, it is imperative that fish are handled
carefully to ensure their survival.
Please visit this site for best practices on catch and release fishing:
(http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/peche-fishing/visit14b.aspx#release)
- Baits or scented attractants are not permitted while fishing in Banff. This is because native
species such a bull trout and threatened westslope cutthroat trout have a zero possession
limit. This means it is "catch and release" only for these native species. By not using bait,
you will reduce your hooking mortality.
- Barbless hooks are not required but are strongly recommended, as are single hooks (rather
than trebles); again this is to reduce hooking mortality.
- There is a lead ban in all park waters. It is illegal to use or even posses any lead weight, jig
or lure less than 50g when fishing park waters (this applies to small lead lures such as
panther martens or buzz bombs).
Help Released Fish Survive
Give a released fish the best chance for survival by following these suggestions:
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Minimize the time you play a fish. A fish played too long may not survive even if released.
Remember to always bring fish up from depth slowly. Fish brought up too quickly will
rupture their air bladders and die.
Be gentle, keeping the fish in the water at all times when handling and releasing.
Handle the fish with bare, wet hands. Keep fingers away from the gills and do not squeeze;
this may cause internal injury, gill or scale damage.
Remove the hook gently with needle-nosed pliers. If the hook is deep, cut the leader rather
than pulling the hook out. The hook will decompose in time. Most fish survive with hooks in
them.
Continue to hold the fish in the water, gently moving it back and forth. This moves water
past the gills and will help revive it. For flowing waters, face the fish upstream. When the
fish begins to struggle, let it go.
If the fish is bleeding excessively, it will likely not survive if released. Kill it and include as
part of your catch if permitted.
The use of barbless hooks is recommended to make release easier. Hooks can be made
barbless by flattening the barb with needle-nosed pliers.
Single hooks are recommended to release fish more easily.
Continuing to angle for trout in waters exceeding 18o C reduces the ability of these fish to
survive the 'catch and release' process
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