Bow River Fishing Report April 30, 2025
Apr 30, 2025
Warm, sunny weather is forecast for most of the week and into the weekend. Lot's of good fish caught this week. Streamer fishing has produced huge, literally. And the nymph fishing has also been great.
With the warm weather water levels are up in Banff, and should continue to increase. So it will not be too long before the reservoirs are at capacity, and flows are increased on the lower Bow. But who really knows how run off will go down?
Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Rob
Dry fly fishing has been slow. probably due to the amount of bugs under the water. Blue Winged Olive and Midges hatches continue on a daily basis. Continue to watch for risers at the heads of pools, and in sheltered backwaters.
The nymph fishing continues to be excellent. Concentrating on getting your fly, or flies, down as deep as possible. It you're not feeling bottom, or hanging up, occasionally, try adding more weight and/or tippet. So many bugs in the river! Good things have been happening on stonefly, and leech imitations.
Streamer fishing has been a bit tough, but persistence has still resulted in some very good fish. Large, leggy streamers, with, or without, a leech trailer have proven quite effective.
Swinging flies through riffles and runs is resulting in some good fish. Spey casting enables you to cover a lot of water, so it is a great way to search for active fish. Small wet flies are fun to cast, and swing, but result in some spectacular takes for such small flies.
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 1 and are filling up quickly. Click here for Course Dates and to Register Online
There are a variety of great line cleaners to keep your line in tip top shape.
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
- Try to reducing handling time
Read the musings of the late John Gierach. Cherished fly fishing author, and the original "trout bum."
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 identify 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.
Dries: Steve's Para Sipper BWO, Griffth's Gnat, Doug's Gnatty Boy, Hi Vis Parachute BWO, Double Vision BWO, Silverman's Purple Crystal Stim, Doran's Skwala Water Walker, Black Micro Frank, Trina's Stimi Chew Toy
Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Hi Res Bugger, Tungsten Found Ya Bugger, Slum Lord Jig, FM Olive Sculpin, Clouser Minnow, Complex T Bugger, Kreelex Minnow, Cone Head Lightning Bugger, Marabou Clouser
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 nice for the remainder of the week and into the weekend. The river has been fluctuating, and is on the rise in Banff. Hopefully, things will stay consistent this week, but the warmer temperatures are sure to bring on the melt. As usual, the river levels downstream of the Bearspaw Reservoir are dependent on flood mitigation efforts, irrigation, and reservoir limitations.
As always, wade with caution, and use common sense.
Get out there and enjoy the great weather!
Tight lines!
