Bow River Fishing Report - April 24, 2026

Another tough week. The Bow experienced a variety of water levels, along with changes in clarity, which made the fishing kind of hit, or miss. Bars, and drop-offs, have been a great place to pick off a big one, or two. There were less fish chasing off of the banks, and most of the action was found more mid-river.

Next week starts off cool and snowy, but the weather is supposed to turn nice, around Wednesday. River conditions will depend on snow melt, pre-run-off in the mountains, and whatever water management steps are taken up-stream. The fishing could be tough, but you won't know unless you get out and do it. Go, if you get a chance, and conditions seem favourable.

Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Tobias

Left to Right from top: EB Coffee Leech, Coffee's CH Sparkle Minnow, Flesh Eating Sculpin, Wire Worm, TJ Hooker, Tungsten Prince Jig, Cubby Chernobyl, Ms. Tickle Cripple, Micro Frank

Bow River Fishing

Afternoon hatches of BWO, and midges, can produce some rising fish. The only issues being, water, and wind conditions have to be working in your favour, to even have a chance. There are also quite a few Skwalas around, so you could use a Skwala, or Stonefly, imitation, as a point fly, and indicator, for a small trailing midge, or BWO. 

Nymphing will give you the best chance of catching a fish. The fish are moving around more, and can be caught feeding in shallow, medium/walking paced riffles and runs, as well as the deeper pools. Make sure that your flies are on the bottom. If don't feel your flies ticking off of the bottom, or get snagged occasionally, you are not getting deep enough. Add tippet and/or weight until the proper depth is achieved.

Fish Pond Vests are a great way to carry and organize your gear. 

The streamer fishing was hit, or miss, last week. This will probably continue with the unstable weather conditions forecast for most of the coming week. Large, dark coloured, streamers are a good idea in high dirty water, while smaller profile streamers tend to be more effective during low, clear conditions.

Trout spey is a great way to effectively prospect for active trout, without expending excess energy, or wading excessively. The longer casts, and rhythmic motions makes for a very pleasant, and often productive afternoon. Small streamers, and wet flies, are great for prospecting in low, clear water. Larger flies, and heavy sink-tips, are best used in high, and/or off-colour, waters. 

Pike Fishing

Start prepping for pike season with a new selection of streamers - perfect for tossing to toothy critters. With ice coming off of most of the local lakes the fish will be eager on opening day which is just a couple of weeks away. When that time comes.... sunny and calm afternoons in shallow bays, and weed beds, will often be your best bet.

Events

Wednesday, May 6, 2026 - Pike on the Fly with Jean Ducharme. Come to this session to learn pike tactics from someone who fly fishes Alberta pike more than almost anyone else we know. Jean will touch on fly selection, gear, leader, tippets, habitat structure, water temperatures and other key ingredients to help you be successful fly fishing for pike. Whether you're just getting started in fly fishing for pike or wanting to up your game in search of trophy fish this session is worth attending.

Water Not Coal is Corb Lund's Citizens Initiative Petition to protect the Eastern Slopes of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Please sign the petition!

Books

Novels that follow, or include, a fly fishing theme are extra entertaining. Especially, when they are actually good novels.

Bow River Flies to try:

Dries: Stillborn Midge, Trina's Hi-Vis Sprout Midge, Dornan's Water Walker, Winged True Skwala, Hi-Vis Fat Albert, Jake's Trigger Belly, Micro Frank, Harrop's Last Chance Cripple, Booty's Cripple, Double Vision BWO

Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Clouser Minnows, Slum Lord Jig Leech, Tungsten Found Ya Bugger, Galloup's  Mini Dungeon, Skiddish Smolt, Lynch's Mini Drunk and Disorderly, Cheech Leech, Precious Metal

Nymphs: Will's Chai T, Perdigon, Smethurst's Stone Bomb, Goldie Hawn Stonefly Nymph, Dirty Hipster Stonefly Jig, Rubber Legged Squirrel, Tungsten Red Tie Pheasant Tail Jig, SP Tungsten Bead Mop Fly, Werminator, Gummy Worm, Wire Worms,

Trout Spey: She Ra Tungsten Bead Jig, Soft Hackle Hare's Ear, Tungsten Energizer Squirrel Jig, Jerry's WMD Sculpin Steelhead Intruder, Stu's Mini Ostrich Intruder, Brett's Klamath Skater, Bead Head Perpetrator

MFC's Flyweight Fly Boxes are ultra-light, vibrant floating fly boxes that utilize MFC slit foam for long lasting organization of your bugs. Many options feature MFC signature artist designs, so you can personalize your gear.

Please remember to try to keep fish wet and remember to pinch your barbs. Pinching your barbs will make releasing the fish a lot easier for both you and the fish.

We ask that you handle your fish with care by:

FYI - As per the Government of Alberta:

Water levels are a bit above normal for this time of the year. Mostly due to the recent volume of snow and rain fall. Fishing should improve if a more consistent flow can be maintained. 

Wade with caution and use common sense. The forecast is for much nicer weather starting on Wednesday. Hopefully there is consistent temperatures for a long enough time for flows to settle down and the fishing to improve.

Once the weather, and flows settle down for a minute, it should be a great time to get your feet wet. Get out there and enjoy nature if, and when, you can.

Rob