Bow River Fishing Report - August 16, 2026

This week was a bit of a rollercoaster ride, and not just the charts recording river flow. The angling was kind of tough this week and the bugs were only around sometimes, and sometimes not. The fishing also had it's moments, but sometimes not. All very hit or miss. Sunny, hot weather is forecast for the next week.

The bugs have also been strange. Hatches on some days, on some stretches, but often not others. Sort of normal, but it seemed more pronounced this week. I don't know why. The evening caddis hatch seems to be the most consistent, followed by mid-morning, and afternoon, Pale Morning Duns. Not really any big bunches of Trico's at this point, but that may change.

Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Sasha

Left to Right from top: CDC Pheasant Tail Jig, BH Extended Body Caddis Pupa, Frenchie Jig, Foam Run Caddis, Yeti Hopper, Swisher's Dancing Caddis, Articulated Sparkle Minnow, Conehead Crosseyed Mullet, Fish Flash Minnow

Bow River Fishing

The dry fly fishing was quite difficult over all, but once again some very rewarding moments. The usual hatches are happening over the course the day. However, they have been pretty inconsistent. Steady risers have been difficult to spot, but certainly not impossible. Persistence, and observation, continue to be the keys to success. Hopper-dropper set-ups had mixed results success wise, but it was often quite slow.

The nymphing slowed slightly this week, but continued to produce, just with less frequency. Pheasant Tail, as well as Perdigon style nymphs, continue to be pretty good choices. The cooler weather seems to have slowed things down a bit, but deep and slow will continue to give you a decent opportunity.

The streamer fishing has been good. The high, and off colour water, caused by the recent rain has made the streamer fishing quite good. Hit the banks and off shore bars, like you would during the spring high water. Larger profile flies are a great idea right now.

The current higher water is a great time to hone your steelhead game in the heavier water, before you head out steelheading. Cast whatever sort of flies you will be using on your trip, just on a smaller scale. Especially in the case of dry flies, it is nice to learn their skating characteristics before you go. Try to achieve a trout spey set up that is similar to your steelhead set up, or vise versa. The less time spent sorting out your game on your trip the more effective your actual steelhead fishing time.

Eastern Slopes

The fishing was generally pretty tough this last week, with some situational exceptions, right place, right time sort of thing. Overall pretty rough though. Hopefully once the fish adjust to the cooler weather the bite should improve. Still lot's of bugs, Caddis, and PMD's, predominantly. You have until Halloween, for the most part, to take advantage of the high country, so time's a wasting.

 Pike

The incoming, hot and sunny, weather will make the pike fishing more difficult, as will the weeds. Evenings, early mornings will provide you best chances. You may even want to fish a floating mouse, or frog, to avid the weeds. And pike on the dry is pretty exciting stuff.   Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.

Books

Books by Alberta authors, Lorne Fitch and Kevin Van Tighen, and in the case of Heart Waters with photographs by his brother Brian, about conservation in our own backyard.

Bow River Flies:

Dries: Peacock Caddis, Bloom's Parachute Caddis, Swisher's Dancing Caddis, Skater Tot, Foam Run Caddis, Goddard Caddis, X-Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl, Heifer Hopper, Morrish Hopper, The Chopper Hopper, Lil Pete Copper Hopper, Para-Wulff, Adams Irresistible. Double Vison PMD

Streamers: Clarke's Rat, Gartside Leech, Jig Slum Lord Mini Leech, Coffey's Sparkle Minnow, Galloup's Butt Sump, Galloup's Mini Bangtail, Complex Twist Bugger, Bow River Bugger, Kreelex Minnow, Articulated Sparkle Yummy, Lynch's Drunk and Disorderly, Zonker Skullhead

Nymphs: Jimmy Legs, T.J. Hooker, SP Tungsten Bead Mop Fly, Werminator, Wire Worms, Reese's Pieces, Puparazzi Tungsten Jig Caddis, BH Extended Body Caddis Pupa, Tungsten BH Rock Grinder Jig, Tung Red Tie Pheasant Tail Jig

Trout Spey: Soft Hackle Hare's Ear, Tungsten Energizer Squirrel Jig, Jerry's WMD Sculpin Intruder, Stu's Mini Ostrich Intruder, Brett's Klamath Skater, Steel Plow Skating Dry, Hoody's Hanger, Mini Mousey McMouseface

Please continue to pinch your barbs, while trying to keep the fish wet, as much as possible, Please limit handling your handling, and try to release fish in a timely manner. All of these actions should help reduce the stress put on the fish. 

We continue to ask that you handle your fish with care by:

Rob