Bow River Fishing Report - August 1, 2025
Aug 01, 2025
The Bow upstream of Fish Creek, August 1, 2025
So... ,this week was pretty much a write off. Some fish were caught, but anglers worked very hard for those fish. Sporadic, torrential rain made a mess of the Bow, and surrounding rivers and creeks. This weekend's weather calls for rain, and the forecast has changed several times, for the worse, in the last couple of days. That being said, conditions should continue to improve unless/until the rain spikes the river again.
Lots of bugs around. Caddis, PMD, and the occasional Stone. I spotted some small hoppers at Fish Creek this morning.
Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Gideon
Top to Bottom - Left to Right: Elk Hair Caddis, Para Humpy, Fat Albert, Cheech Leech, Mongrel Meat, Silvey's Sculpin Leech, JR's Jiggle Stone, Fruit Roll-Up, JT's Werminator
Once the river stabilizes the dry fly fishing should pick up significantly. Soft seams and pool edges, should be targeted. Keep your eyes peeled for Caddis, PMD, and occasional, Stonefly hatches. Never underestimate the power of a terrestrial. Ant's, beetles, and now Hoppers, are on the menu.
Fish Creek, August 1, 2025
Once the river and weather decide to cooperate, and the Bow get a little more "normal," normal nymphing rules will apply. Walking pace water, in pools, and runs, is ideal. Faster, riffle, water is often best fished using a hopper-dropper rig. Nymphs with a larger profile, like stoneflies, leeches, and worms, will be your best bets, until clarity improves.
Again, consistent flows for an extended period of time should settle fish into their usual lies. The streamer fishing suffered the same fate as every other technique, it kinda sucked, but quality streamer fishing should resume once things stabilize. Larger streamers thrown as close to possible to the shore, boat fishing, or swung, from shore, working undercut banks, and backwaters, are a great idea if high water persists.
The trout spey fishing has also been almost impossible due to the conditions. Bla bla bla... fishing good soon.
The Bow River downstream of Fish Creek, August 1, 2025
Fly patches for quick and convenient fly changes. Several options to choose from.
The Eastern Slope rivers and streams are starting to shape up. This should continue unless the forecasted rain causes issue again. Still Caddis, along with Pale Morning, and, sometimes, Evening Duns hatches. There is still a small possibility of Green, and Brown, Drake hatches, more often at lower elevations.
Click here for our Eastern Slopes Opener
The cooler, rainy days have produced some great fish on most local lakes. Smaller streamers have produced some very good fish. Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.
Level 1 Fly Fishing Course
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 are filling up quickly. Click here for Course Dates and to Register Online
Still water fishing is becoming more, and more, of an option with all the river turmoil.
Please try to keep fish wet and remember to pinch your barbs. Keep fish in the water as much as possible. 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:
- Pinching your barbs
- Keeping fish wet
- Eliminating unnecessary fish contact with dry surfaces
- Reducing handling time
Lot's of vices in stock if you would like to start tying, or to upgrade your vice.
Dries: KB's Sleezy Rider Stonefly, Jake's Trigger Belly, OG Chubby Foam, Club Med Hopper, Extra Chubby Chernobyl, Ninch's Iceberg Caddis, Pav's X-Caddis, High Vis Parachute PMD, Klinkhammer PMD, Double Vision PMD, Glo Ant, Cheeto Beetle
Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Kousin Kim Olive, Clouser Minnow, JT's Kreelex Minnow, Budget Dungeon, Strolis' Headbanger Sculpin, Jig Slum Lord Mini Leech, Cheech Leech, Silvey's Sculpin Leech
Nymphs: Strolis' Dimmer Stone, Jimmy Legs, Will's Chai T, Smethurst's Stone Bomb, Dirty Hipster Stonefly Jig, MFC Lightning Bug Purple, Puparazzi Tungsten Jig Caddis, Tungsten Jig Mic Drop, Lightning Bug Barbless Jig
Trout Spey: Rio's Pocket Rocket, Aqua Stu's Ostrich Intruder, Jerry's WMD Sculpin, AF Mattoli's Spey Bugger, Brett's Klamath Skater, McGovney's Skater,
Pack it out with you. Leave it better than you found it. Nature does not want your garbage.
There is more rain forecast for this weekend. Who knows what is going to happened?
Please wade with care, and watch carefully for bank erosion. Also, high dirty water can make for some very treacherous footing, add to that, poor visibility, and all kinds of floating debris. Be careful, and stay aware.
Hopefully, the weather allows river conditions to improve, and getting out there becomes less of a crap shoot. High water is nice, but at some point a more seasonal level would be a nice change. High seasonal, and good clarity, would be great, and should be just around the corner. Fingers crossed.
Tight lines!
