Shallow Water Drift Co. 

5.0/5 (10 reviews)
 Travis Crescent Northeast 5631, Calgary, AB T2K 3W1, Canada

Shallow Water Drift Co. 

5.0/5 (10 reviews)
map-thumbnail
Travis Crescent Northeast 5631
Calgary, AB, Canada

Come to Langdon, Canada for some amazing freshwater fly fishing with Captain Gene Aquilini, the owner and the head guide of Shallow Water Drift Co. Born and raised in Calgary, he’s been fly fishing for more than 30 years and guiding for 19.

He specializes in fly fishing throughout Southern Alberta, focusing on the world renowned Bow River, famous for its Trout fishing. Gene will do everything to put you on the Brown Trout and Steelhead of a lifetime. Trips are strictly catch and release – you’ll get to take a photo and then kiss the fish goodbye for another passionate angler to catch.

You can choose from 6, 8, and 10-hour trips, as well as 2-day packages! The first day, Gene will take you to the paid camping site that will be ready for you to occupy. He’ll have his trailer and his boat there. You’ll eat a nice big breakfast and then go fishing. The fishing trip will take around 10–12 hours before you head back to camp.

There, you’ll be served a nice steak dinner with baked potatoes and salad. Besides food, Captain Gene also offers water and other beverages, but the clients can bring beer if they want to. The second day includes fishing a different section of the river. All transportation is provided.

Fishing is done from a 16’ Willie Boats drift boat. You’ll be floating with the current, equipped with top-notch safety gear. The boat can take up to 2 adult anglers and a child.

There’s no minimum age for children, but those 14 and younger must be accompanied by adults. Parents should bring a life jacket their kid is comfortable in. Clients should also bring their waders and boots if they want to go wade fishing. Gene can provide that as well, but he has limited sizes.

The captain provides high-quality fly fishing and conventional gear. He only uses Loop rods and Hatch reels. Spinning lures are not provided – they usually cost around $80, and Gene will be more than happy to advise you on what to get.

All aboard!

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Customer reviews

Rating summary

5.0/5
out of 5 stars from 10 reviews
Boat
5.0/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (30)

Now River
Book now so worth it !
Book now so worth it !
+27

Angler rating

10
0
0
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

86%

Appropriate for children

86%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

100%

Caught fish

80%

Showing 1 - 5 of 10 reviews
Showing: 5 of 10 reviews
Jaylene Boire
Jaylene Boire
5.0
Verified
Book now so worth it !
Bow River Float Trip in the City on July 5, 20252 adults
I would highly recommend , we came 8 hours for this trip and we are 100% coming back and bringing people with us next time ! . The knowledge and experience that gene had was 100% worth every penny . Hands down best experience of guided fishing . We did 6hrs , and it was enough for what we needed and we had no experience with the fly fishing . Definitely a fishing experience I will never forget . You will not be disappointed with this guide .
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Reported catch:
Brown Trout
Response from Captain
July 9, 2025
Thanks for the great review. Definitely was a blast fishing with you both. Cant wait to see you all next year. Gene Aquilini
0
Andrew OLMSTEAD
Andrew OLMSTEAD
5.0
Verified
Now River
Lower Bow River Float Trip on July 15, 20252 adults
Geneo was great. Very friendly and knowledgeable about the river. Caught multiple fish and was patient with novice anglers. Highlight of the trip was a warm cooked lunch on the beautiful banks of the river. Highly recommend!
Review media 0
Reported catch:
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
0
Stan Hickory
Stan Hickory
5.0
Verified
Great trip
Lower Bow River Float Trip on October 2, 20252 adults
I had floated the Bow a number of years ago and did not do well (different company). This trip was different. Caught some great fish!
0
ABDUL HAMID BIN IBRAHIM KHAN SURATTEE
ABDUL HAMID BIN IBRAHIM KHAN SURATTEE
Calgary, AB
5.0
Verified
An unforgettable fishing trip
Lower Bow River Float Trip on June 11, 20232 adults
Going on the fishing trip was an enriching experience. Besides picking up fly-fishing, we were able to admire the scenic Bow River and the rich biodiversity it has to offer. Our guide, Mr Gene Aquilini, was very patient while teaching us how to fly fish. He also gave us an educational tour of the Bow River and provided us with a sumptuous lunch. We found fly fishing rather tiring but interesting since it was a new experience for us. Catching rainbow trout was exhilarating. We saw pelicans, eagles, and a lot more birds. In all, we had a really good time and would recommend joining tours like this.
Reported catch:
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Response from Captain
June 13, 2023
Guiding the World. Let’s welcome the boys from Singapore to the Bow River, Alberta, Canada. What a fantastic day Abdul. Your son Dan and yourself did amazing for two guys that had never Fly Fished before. We caught some really nice Rainbow Trout. Thank you for choosing Shallow Water Drift Company for your Adventurer of a lifetime. Enjoy the rest of your holidays well your in Canada. Gene Aquilini Shallow Water Drift Company
0
Damian Bhana
Damian Bhana
Calgary, Alberta
5.0
Verified
Half day trip with priceless memories
Bow River Float Trip in the City on August 21, 20222 adults
Captain Gene was an awesome teacher and coach throughout the journey. He really knew how to set us up for the best chances of success catching fish, he explained EVERYTHING to us and helped us learn about the history and current status of the Bow River. Hee also taught us about the ecosystem of the Bow River in Calgary which my daughter found really interesting. This trip was my father's day gift from my daughter and getting to spend that time with her and seeing the big smile when she caught her first fish was priceless. Highly recommend booking a trip with Gene to anyone wanting to try fly fishing in Calgary :)
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Response from Captain
August 23, 2022
Great day with you both on the Bow River. Can’t wait to see you guys again😎✌️
0

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Select date to see availability
December 2025
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
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Number of days
1
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
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Almost there...
Bow River Mecca Camp and Fish
Low rate deposit non-refundable
2 Day Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
Overnight stay, liveaboard
Seasonal trip Apr 15 - Oct 31
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US $617 
Entire boat: up to 2 people
Bow River Float Trip in the City
Low rate deposit non-refundable
6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
Seasonal trip Apr 15 - Oct 31
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US $418 
Entire boat: up to 2 people
Walk and Wade Trip
Low rate deposit non-refundable
8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
Seasonal trip Apr 15 - Oct 31
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US $454 
Entire boat: up to 2 people
Lower Bow River Float Trip
Low rate deposit non-refundable
10 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
Seasonal trip Apr 15 - Oct 31
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US $490 
Entire boat: up to 2 people
There are 3 people looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

5.0/5
out of 5 stars from 10 reviews
Boat
5.0/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
4.9/5

Photos & videos by reviewers (30)

Now River
Book now so worth it !
Book now so worth it !
+27

Angler rating

10
0
0
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

86%

Appropriate for children

86%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

100%

Caught fish

80%

Showing 1 - 5 of 10 reviews
Showing: 5 of 10 reviews
Jaylene Boire
Jaylene Boire
5.0
Verified
Book now so worth it !
Bow River Float Trip in the City on July 5, 20252 adults
I would highly recommend , we came 8 hours for this trip and we are 100% coming back and bringing people with us next time ! . The knowledge and experience that gene had was 100% worth every penny . Hands down best experience of guided fishing . We did 6hrs , and it was enough for what we needed and we had no experience with the fly fishing . Definitely a fishing experience I will never forget . You will not be disappointed with this guide .
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Reported catch:
Brown Trout
Response from Captain
July 9, 2025
Thanks for the great review. Definitely was a blast fishing with you both. Cant wait to see you all next year. Gene Aquilini
0
Andrew OLMSTEAD
Andrew OLMSTEAD
5.0
Verified
Now River
Lower Bow River Float Trip on July 15, 20252 adults
Geneo was great. Very friendly and knowledgeable about the river. Caught multiple fish and was patient with novice anglers. Highlight of the trip was a warm cooked lunch on the beautiful banks of the river. Highly recommend!
Review media 0
Reported catch:
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Brown Trout
0
Stan Hickory
Stan Hickory
5.0
Verified
Great trip
Lower Bow River Float Trip on October 2, 20252 adults
I had floated the Bow a number of years ago and did not do well (different company). This trip was different. Caught some great fish!
0
ABDUL HAMID BIN IBRAHIM KHAN SURATTEE
ABDUL HAMID BIN IBRAHIM KHAN SURATTEE
Calgary, AB
5.0
Verified
An unforgettable fishing trip
Lower Bow River Float Trip on June 11, 20232 adults
Going on the fishing trip was an enriching experience. Besides picking up fly-fishing, we were able to admire the scenic Bow River and the rich biodiversity it has to offer. Our guide, Mr Gene Aquilini, was very patient while teaching us how to fly fish. He also gave us an educational tour of the Bow River and provided us with a sumptuous lunch. We found fly fishing rather tiring but interesting since it was a new experience for us. Catching rainbow trout was exhilarating. We saw pelicans, eagles, and a lot more birds. In all, we had a really good time and would recommend joining tours like this.
Reported catch:
Rainbow Trout (Steelhead)
Response from Captain
June 13, 2023
Guiding the World. Let’s welcome the boys from Singapore to the Bow River, Alberta, Canada. What a fantastic day Abdul. Your son Dan and yourself did amazing for two guys that had never Fly Fished before. We caught some really nice Rainbow Trout. Thank you for choosing Shallow Water Drift Company for your Adventurer of a lifetime. Enjoy the rest of your holidays well your in Canada. Gene Aquilini Shallow Water Drift Company
0
Damian Bhana
Damian Bhana
Calgary, Alberta
5.0
Verified
Half day trip with priceless memories
Bow River Float Trip in the City on August 21, 20222 adults
Captain Gene was an awesome teacher and coach throughout the journey. He really knew how to set us up for the best chances of success catching fish, he explained EVERYTHING to us and helped us learn about the history and current status of the Bow River. Hee also taught us about the ecosystem of the Bow River in Calgary which my daughter found really interesting. This trip was my father's day gift from my daughter and getting to spend that time with her and seeing the big smile when she caught her first fish was priceless. Highly recommend booking a trip with Gene to anyone wanting to try fly fishing in Calgary :)
Review media 0
Review media 1
Review media 2
Response from Captain
August 23, 2022
Great day with you both on the Bow River. Can’t wait to see you guys again😎✌️
0

FAQs about Shallow Water Drift Co.

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The fish you can target

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What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Unpowered boats
Capacity
2 persons
Boat length
16 ft
Year built
2011
Boat manufacturer
Willie Boats
Boat type
Drift boat

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