Bow River Fishing Report April 19, 2025
Apr 20, 2025
The weather forecast is for cool wet weather this weekend followed by warmer more settled weather later in the week. This past week had consistent fishing for the most part, with the exception of a couple of bumps in the water level. These bumps put the fish off temporarily, usually in the later part of the day.
Ton's of bugs, both in out of the water. The rainbows should be on the sawn, but there are still quite a few big pre-spawn fish in the river for some reason, Handle them carefully and let them get on with business.
Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Gideon
Blue Winged Olive and Midges hatches continue to happened on most days. Watch for risers at the heads of pools and in sheltered backwaters. If you happened to spot a consistent riser, or two, try to match the hatch. Skwalas should continue to be around for a little while.
The nymph fishing continues to be very good. Continue to concentrate your nymphing efforts on deep pools and runs, concentrating on getting the fly, or flies, down as deep as possible. It you're not feeling bottom occasionally, add weight and/or tippet. Lot's of Stone Fly nymphs in the river.
The amount of bugs in the water seems to have slightly slowed down the streamer fishing. However, large fish are still being caught. Smaller streamers have proven more effective lately. The lower water levels has the fish concentrated in deeper riffle and runs.
Trout spey has slowed down a bit. Swinging flies through riffles and runs is still resulting in some good fish, you just have to work a bit harder. Spey casting enables you to cover a lot of water in a shorter period of time than conventional casting.
A one day session where students will spend the morning in a classroom environment, learning about equipment, lines, knot tying, etc. Then, after the included lunch, the students will head outside for a dry-land casting session.
Classes start May 4, 2025, but the classes are already full prior to June 14 and filling up quickly. Click here for Course Dates and to Register Online
A catch and release tool will minimize and harmful contact with the fish.
Keep fish wet and pinch your barbs. Try to keep fish in the water as much as possible. Pinching your barbs will make releasing the fish a lot easier.
We ask that you handle your fish with care by:
- Pinching your barbs
- Keeping fish wet
- Eliminating the fishes contact with dry surfaces
- Reducing handling time
We have new books of observations from some of Alberta's most prominent conservation and nature authors.
Scientific Anglers leaders and tippet are BOGO for same priced items until April 30, 2025.
Another successful Pike on the Fly with Jean Ducharme. All 17 participants received a great deal of knowledge, and a fly from Jean's stash. Great job Jean!
Session Seven: Fishing the Bow from shore with Will Spokes
Wednesday, May 7 - 7 p.m. Ready for a refresher on fly fishing the Bow? Join Will for this session focused on fly fishing from shore. Will spends a lot of his time on the banks of the Bow and will help you fine tune your approach.
Session Eight: Bow River Bugs
Wednesday, May 21 - 7 p.m. Join us on the river for this session to help you learn to identifiy bugs. Check out what you get with a kick sample, investigate the contents of a bug seine, and (maybe) check out the contents of a throat sample. Location to be announced.
Tuesday Fly Tying Workshop - Final session
For a small registration fee, including enough materials to tie 3 of the flies presented, you will learn all of the steps to successfully tie a Morrish Hopper. So bring your vise, tools, thread and epoxy and tie along!
This session is hosted by Fish Tales own, Gideon Bennet, and will run from 7pm to 9/9:30 this Tuesday, April 22.
Morrish Hoppers With Gideon
NEW DATE - On Tuesday April 22nd, Gideon Bennett will be showing how to tie the Morrish Hopper, a truly effective and consistent pattern on the Bow River summer after summer. Join us to discover the secrets of this ingenious fly design.
Dries: Steve's Para Sipper BWO, Griffth's Gnat, Doug's Gnatty Boy, Aylward's Pop Top Spinner, Hi Vis Parachute BWO, Double Vision BWO, Silverman's Purple Crystal Stim, Doran's Skwala Water Walker, Black Micro Frank
Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Hi Res Bugger, Tungsten Found Ya Bugger, Slum Lord Jig, FM Olive Sculpin, Clouser Minnow, Complex T Bugger, Kreelex Minnow
Nymphs: San Juan Worm imitations, Jimmy Legs, Rubber Legged Squirrel, Will's Chai T, Kaleidoscope, Tungsten Prince, BWO Killer Jig, Bead Head Prince, Lightning Bug Purple.
Trout Spey: Rio's Pocket Rocket, Aqua Stu's Ostrich Intruder, Jerry's WMD Sculpin, AF Mattoli's Spey Bugger.
FYI - As per the Government of Alberta:
The weather is a bit sketchy this weekend, but turns nice for the remainder of the week. The river has been fluctuating, and is on the rise. Hopefully things will level out later in the week with the more consistent temperatures. Apart, of course, from occasional fluctuations caused by weather, or flood mitigation measures.
The Rainbow's are spawning. Maybe a little less handling, and/or targeting, of Rainbow's for the next couple of weeks.
As always, wade with caution, and use common sense. There are still a couple of pieces of floating ice in the river. Stay alert.
Get out there and enjoy yourselves!
Tight lines!
FTFS
