Bow River Fishing Report - August 15, 2025
Aug 15, 2025
Fishing improved this week, but evening rains continued to cause river levels to spike, and issues with visibility. As usual, things improved once the river levels stabilized and some clearing occurred, but the fishing was more difficult for the duration of these changes. More Rainbows are being caught, and lots of small ones. The river remains high, especially downstream of the Highwood, which is still running high.
There continues to be lots of bugs hatching. Caddis, PMD's, and Tricorythodes (Trico's), are all hatching prolifically. Hoppers are starting to show up in numbers, and should really go off if we get any sort of prolonged heat.
Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Grace
Top to Bottom - Left to Right: Chubby Chernobyl, Big Foot, Elk Hair Caddis, Clouser Minnow, Flat Head Kitty, Coffey's BH Sparkle Minnow, TJ Hooker, Sili-Leg Stone, Bead Head Hare's Ear
A return to more typical flows should improve the dry fly fish drastically. Caddis, PMD's, and Trico's, are all happening right now. Lot's of evening caddis. Lot's! Sporadically rising fish, and high, off colour water, have made the dry fly fishing tough.
Nymphing is a good way to effectively cover water. A double nymph rig is a great setup for fishing the Bow. Tippet off of your leader using a double surgeons, or blood knot, to the length you want to your first fly (between 9-12 feet total length, including leader), then tippet off again (18-24 inches), leaving a longish lower tag end. Do not remove the lower tag end from when you attached the tippet. The fly will be attached at this junction, where it can float freely. You can tippet off again to add weights if necessary. The extra weight makes it hard to cast, but can be very useful.
Streamer fishing remained the most productive fishing method, but has also suffer a bit from the water conditions. With more stable conditions the streamer fishing should remain very productive. Fewer Brown Trout, and more Rainbow Trout, are being caught.
The Spey fishing continues to produce exciting strikes on the swing. Whether you are skating dry flies, or swinging soft hackles and small streamers, spey fishing is a productive and fun way to work the water effectively.
Be prepared for when the sun comes out. Polarized sunglasses are an essential part of any fly fishing outing. Sunglasses by Smith, Kaenon, Suncloud, and Goodr. All sunglasses available at Fish Tales are polarized.
The Eastern Slope rivers and streams have cleared up, and are fishing great. Caddis, and Pale Morning Dun are hatching regularly, and Grasshoppers have started to show up in greater numbers.
Click here for our Eastern Slopes Opener
The cooler weather has helped to keep the fish biting to a certain extent. Weeds have become more of an issue, with most lakes being adversely effected. Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.
Level 1 Fly Fishing Course
Only one session left! 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.
Only the August 23 session is still available Click here to Register Online
Books on Salmon and Steelhead flies. A slightly different take on fly tying than the trout flies you may be used to tying. It's fun to try new things.
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
MFC 100's and Half Capes, for those who are starting out, or only wish to tie a smaller amount of flies. A variety of sizes, and colours, for all of your hackling needs.
Dries: Morrish Hopper, Juicy Hopper, Henneberry Hopper, OG Chubby Foam, Club Med Hopper, Extra Chubby Chernobyl, Ninch's Iceberg Caddis, Pav's X-Caddis, Double Vision PMD, Glo Ant, Cheeto Beetle
Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Skiddish Smolt, Clouser Minnow, JT's Kreelex Minnow, Budget Dungeon, Strolis' Headbanger Sculpin, Jig Slum Lord Mini Leech, Cheech Leech, Silvey's Sculpin Leech
Nymphs: Jimmy Legs, TJ Hooker, Will's Chai T, Dirty Hipster Stonefly Jig, MFC Lightning Bug Purple, Puparazzi Tungsten Jig Caddis, Tungsten Jig Mic Drop, Lightning Bug Barbless Jig, Pearl Core Pupa Tungsten Bead Caddis, Tung Stud, Perdigon
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, Senyo's GL Predator, Mini McMouseface,
Net holders and carriers. Lot's of carrying and attaching options. Make sure to attach your net to yourself in some way. No net left behind.
Things should/could continue to improve, with occasional bouts of instability, for as long as the showers continue to persist. The showers are forecast to end this weekend, so . . . Lot's of bugs around. A great number of caddis, good PMD hatches, and a growing number of hoppers.
Please wade with care, and continue to watch out for bank erosion, especially around high banks, and undercuts. Watch your footing and keep an eye out for floating debris.
Get the heck out there! What are you waiting for?
