George Cleveland wrote:

visitors and fish) most of our trip will be spent camping in the
mountains of Southern Alberta. While I might want to try the Bow for a
day I'd much rather be close to a small stream with lots of pocket
water. I'm not one to focus on big fish. If I could wake up (uneaten
by bears) and look out my tent flap at a stream that held a fair
population of 8 to 12 inch trout I'd be happy. I've been looking at
the Provincial Parks south of Banff online and wondering what they had
to offer. But any info would be appreciated.

The Bow is best fished from a drift boat for various reasons.

My recommendation is that you take the Forestry Trunk Road south towards
the Crowsnest Pass, and camp and fish along the way. The total drive is
less than 3 hours.

Campsites are plentiful in the Forest reserve, including random camping
with no facilities. Bears are not a big concern as long as you are bear
smart. I can recall four attacks in Southern Alberta the whole time I
have been here (16 years). Three were during the day during fishing or
hunting activities. Two were within a week of each other, and were the
first maulings in 10 years. One resulted in a death. Only one attack was
on a tent with sleeping campers, and that was in Banff. I don't think
anyone was killed.

There are a number of campsites in the Crowsnest pass area. All are safe.

I would be more than willing to meet you one day and take you to a small
streams. I took Tim Cartar to a few a couple of years ago. There is a
lot of water in the area, and the fishing should be pretty good that
time of year.

For other things to see, I recommend Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, the
frank slide interpretive centre. The tyrell museum in drumheller is
worth a trip, and would be an easy day trip from Calgary. It is in the
other direction from the good trout fishing, but it is impressive.