Our incredibly talented team of guides and friendly (and helpful) shop staff offer a great experience for the first time angler as well as the experienced angler! Creating amazing memories, while providing the best equipment, latest river updates, and beautiful accommodations in Fernie at Fernie Tightlines Lodge.
Our History
The famous Elk River in Fernie, British Columbia, is situated in the East Kootenays of the Canadian Rockies, which is where Kootenay Fly Shop & Guiding Co. was established in 1995. Built to offer anglers a full service fly fishing shop and various Guided Fly Fishing Trips for some of the best fly fishing waters in North America where the last strong remaining populations of pure strain Wild West Slope Cutthroat Trout can be found.
Pursue Cutthroat Trout on the dry as well as fishing for huge Bull Trout on the Elk River. We offer Catch and Release fly fishing excursions from 1 to 5 days on the rivers, lakes, streams and creeks in British Columbia and Alberta. Float and Wade the Elk River, or fish one of the many lakes, our fishing tours are designed to accommodate the diverse angler.
Scott Hopkins is the owner and operator at Kootenay Fly Shop and Guiding Company.
In his youth Scott spent many happy days exploring the backcountry of the Kootenays from his family’s cabin in the Windermere Valley. Winters found him on the slopes alpine ski racing. Like many, it was the skiing that originally inspired Scott to put down roots in Fernie in the late nineties. However, he quickly fell in love with summer and the world-class fishing opportunities in the Elk Valley. What had been a hobby of his youth became a full-blown passion. Soon enough, skiing was a fun past time to get him through to the next dry fly season.
After 20 years in corporate Calgary, Scott saw an opportunity to make his Fernie dream a permanent reality. Scott purchased the Kootenay Fly Shop and Guiding Company in 2021 leaving Calgary behind for good. When he’s not on the river or in the shop, Scott might be found on the frisbee golf course or cooking up a mean brisket for his wife, son, daughter and anyone else willing to share a story and good time. Come by to meet River, the Hopkins family’s faithful chocolate lab and newest shop dog. Scott, River, and family are looking forward to meeting all of the amazing returning and new clientele of Kootenay Fly Shop. They are excited to continue the tradition of a friendly family business.
