Cam Jensen’s Eastslope Adventures specializes in guiding a host of productive and unspoiled trout fisheries in southwest Alberta, including the Castle, Oldman, Waterton, and St. Mary River drainages. Although the bulk of this program is walk-and-wade, in the early season anglers enjoy float trips in rafts. This is a sophisticated wild-trophy trout fishery with prolific insect hatches and some of the largest and most feisty fish south of Alaska. Packages include accommodations and meals at a comfortable no-frills log home situated on the Waterton River.

Just east of Glacier and Waterton National Parks, in the heart of southwest Alberta’s rolling farm and ranch country, lies an overlooked area with impressively large trout, and very little angling pressure. On these home waters is where Cam Jensen set up Eastslope Adventures. Eastslope Adventures guides a host of productive and unspoiled trout fisheries in southwest Alberta, including the Castle, Oldman, Waterton and St. Mary’s River drainages. In addition to these trophy rainbow and brown trout systems, guest can also walk and wade fish the clear wild, and rugged west slope cutthroat systems that drain the parks immediately east of the lodge. Cam and his guides specialize in fishing dry flies whenever conditions permit, often to large trout while wading. Although the bulk of this program is walk-and-wade, in the early season anglers often enjoy float trips in rafts. Packages include accommodations and meals in a rustic, yet comfortable log lodge situated on the Waterton River.

This fishing program is focused on hunting big fish on dry flies. For most of the season guests can count on walking and wading all day, driving from one private access to the next. Although this trip is best suited for reasonably fit anglers, the wading is not difficult and walks to the river are flat and short. There are times, primarily during the early season, that the guides will use rafts with rowing frames to access the rivers.

Due to the amount of world-class fishing opportunities in close proximity, anglers should come prepared to fish a variety of different waters. After dinner each night Cam will sit down with the group and discuss a strategy for the next day’s fishing based upon current conditions and angler preferences. If conditions have changed by the next morning, the plan will likely change also.

This is truly a wild, trophy trout fishery with prolific insect hatches. Catch rates vary from day-to-day. On the best days anglers can hook serious numbers of fish but this is best thought of as a quality, not quantity destination. Anglers can expect to hook 10 to 15 fish per person per day. Keep in mind that on some of these fisheries, half or more of those fish will be over 19 inches. Fish in the 26-28-inch range are hooked weekly.

The Eastslope Adventures lodge comfortably caters to eight anglers in seven spacious single or double occupancy rooms with attached private baths. The rustic, log-built lodge is situated mere yards from a productive stretch of the Waterton River, allowing anglers to fish the home waters unguided in the evenings or early mornings. A cozy great room with a stone fireplace and a large deck overlooks the river. Hearty, home style meals are served family-style at a large table in the dining room. A lunch bar is set up for anglers to make their own sandwiches before setting off for the day’s fishing.

Guided waterfowl hunts are popular in September and October, and a cast and blast trip can be arranged for those interested in both sports.

Day 1: Arrive Kalispell, MT or Alberta, CA, pick up rental car (not included in package) and drive to the lodge.

Days 2 – 7: Five days guided fishing.

Day 8: Depart Eastslope for the airport and journey home.

2024 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

• 7 night/6 day package: $5,340
• 6 night/5 day package: $4,530
• 5 night/4 day package: $3,610
• 4 night/3 day package: $2,965

Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, guided fishing, transportation to/from the river, flies (feel free to bring your own)

Not Included: Airfare, transportation to and from airport, fishing equipment, alcohol, fishing licenses, gratuities

Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout

Season: June 16 – October 15

Capacity: 8 anglers

Who is best suited to this destination? Anglers that prefer to fish with small flies while wading for strong, robust rainbow trout and cutthroat. This destination is best suited to the angler who enjoys a challenge and pursuing a quality fish over a high catch rate. Anyone who wants to improve their trout game, can take some constructive criticism, and are not overly concerned with creature comforts will love this lodge.

Where is the lodge? Eastslope Adventures is in southwest Alberta, approximately 30 miles west of Cardston, Alberta.

How do I get there? Guests will either fly into Kalispell, MT, rent a car and drive three and a half hours to the lodge or will fly into Calgary, rent a car and drive two and a half hours to the lodge. Guests with private planes can fly into Lethbridge, Alberta for just over a one-hour drive. The lodge is in a rural part of Alberta and guests should follow the instructions on the itinerary they receive once they have booked.

When should I go? June 16 – October 10. The first two weeks of the season offer great fishing, but the conditions differ from year to year. You may be fishing small mayfly dries and caddis patterns or deep nymphing under an indicator. In either situation you are casting to fish that have not seen flies in over six months. The first few weeks of July are usually the time for indicators and streamers during runoff. By mid-July, the water has dropped, and dry fly season begins. Hopper and terrestrial season can be impressive and usually lasts until mid-September when tricos and blue-winged olives become the main fare. In October guests have the option of a cast and blast trip with duck hunting in the morning and fishing the second half of the day.

How will I fish? July is a mix of nymphing and dry fly fishing. August and early September offer your best shot at fishing dry flies with hoppers and hopper/droppers. Some floats are available throughout the season, but most of the fishing is walk/wade. Anglers who visit the lodge in late June and early July will have the most options for floating.

Is there wade fishing? Over the course of the season 80% of the fishing is done while wading.

Where will I fish? The Waterton and St. Mary Rivers are the main venues. Anglers also owe it to themselves to fish the Oldman or Castle Rivers and some of the mountain streams which house cutthroat trout. The number of miles accessed depends on the angler’s individual desire to walk and wade. Anglers up for walking will experience more remote sections of river that have less pressure throughout the season. Overall, for an entirely waded trip, guests should plan on walking at least two miles per day.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? Depending on where you are fishing each day, drives are 45 minutes to 1.5 hours.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? Rainbow trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout depending on the systems you fish.

How many fish will I catch? This is a truly wild trophy trout fishery and catch rates vary from day-to-day and system to system. On the best days you can hook good numbers of fish, but this is best thought-of as a quality, not quantity destination. Anglers can expect to hook 10 – 15 fish per person per day. Note that the larger fish on the St. Mary can be hard to land!

Will I see other anglers? You will likely see other anglers at parking areas and access points, but generally not while fishing. Guests willing to walk farther in the day will see far fewer other anglers.

What are the guides like? Personalities will run the gamut from intense to jovial. All the guides are professionals and know their waters and fish intimately.

What are the physical demands? Although the wading is not difficult anglers should expect to spend the day on their feet with a fair amount of hiking.

Are there any special skills required? A willingness to improve your trout game. If your cast lands 14 inches away from the target the guides will ask you to pick it up and re-cast.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge can provide rods and reels if necessary. Anglers should be prepared with their own waders and boots. Terminal tackle and flies will be provided.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? Bring a 6-weight for the St. Mary. It is also nice to have a 3- or 4-weight rod for the cutthroat streams.

What are the top flies? Throughout the season the flies change often, guests should call before their trip for the best patterns.

What are the options if water conditions become challenging? There are several different fishing locations, meaning guides have options if one river is experiencing poor fishing conditions. Guests should be prepared to fish in sun, rain, wind, or snow.

What is a typical day like? Breakfast is served at 7:00AM and guides will arrive to pick up anglers in front of the lodge at 8:00AM. Anglers will be on the river until about 4:30PM and back to the lodge around 5:30PM. Dinner is served at 7:00PM, at this time the lodge owner, Cam Jenson, will chat with each angler about the next days’ fishing excursion.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge? The lodge is relaxed, comfortable and more about the fishing than the amenities.

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge? Cam Jensen is the on-site host as well as head guide. It should be noted that Cam’s focus is heavily weighted towards the fishing. His feeling is that the purpose of the lodge is to provide a dry place to sleep and a warm meal. Each evening he spends his time taking notes on how everyone’s day went and talking with you about your best options for the following day. Cam is a skilled and seasoned guide whose communication style is brief, direct, and honest.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? The lodge is a comfortable, rustic log building on the banks of the Waterton River. The facility is basic and utilitarian. Your room and bathroom will be cleaned before you arrive but do not get serviced throughout your stay. Meals are hearty and home style.

What is the alcohol policy? The lodge is in Cardston, Alberta which is a dry city and does not provide alcohol. Guests who wish to have alcohol with them during their stay at the lodge should purchase in either Kalispell, Calgary, or Lethbridge.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? The lodge is small, simple, and warm. The main lodge has a dining area and comfortable seating area for guest’s use when not in their rooms. The four lodge rooms are part of the main building and sleep two per room in queen sized beds. Each room has an ensuite bathroom. Due to the size of the lodge, single occupancy will not be considered.

Is there internet and/or cell service? There is spotty cell phone coverage at the lodge, provided your carrier allows coverage in southwest Alberta. The lodge has a land-line telephone for emergencies and Wi-Fi is available throughout the property.

Are there other activities? There are not other activities, this lodge is heavily geared toward fly fishing.

Are there any other expenses? Guests should plan on gratuities, car rentals, fishing licenses and alcohol purchase for their trip in addition to the standard rates.

Do I need a visa? You do not need a visa for this destination, a passport will work just fine.

Are there any health concerns, dangers, or annoyances? Mosquitoes at the lodge in the evenings can be a little aggressive. Weather in the Rockies can be unpredictable, and guests are encouraged to bring layers for cool mornings and evenings with an option for lighter clothes during the heat of the day. Rain and snow are a possibility in most months of the year.