Bow River Fishing Report - August 22, 2025
Aug 22, 2025
The river looks great. More consistent levels, and clarity, should make for some excellent fishing this week. The river, up until the Highwood, is at seasonal levels and very clear. Downstream of the Highwood, which is still high, but running clear, the Bow is seasonally high, but clear. Fishing has been sporadic, possibly due to constantly changing levels on the city stretch.
Some Hopper eats, and still some Stoneflies around, if you want to throw foam, or work a hopper-dropper rig. Caddis, Pale Morning Duns, and Tricos are in play if you find more consistent risers.
The number of bugs hatching should increase with the warm weather, unfortunately this also applies to mosquitos. So cover up, or deploy some bug spray, but remember to be careful around fly lines, and waders when using products containing Deet, due to it's caustic nature.
Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Gairen
Top to Bottom - Left to Right: Galloup's Mini Bangtail, Strolis' Headbanger Sculpin, FM Articulated Trout Slider, Wire Worm, JT Gabriel Leech, Morrish Hopper, KB's OG Chubby, Foam Run Caddis
Lot's of bugs, and more hoppers should be on the way. Still a bit hard to pin down the consistent sippers, but they can be found with a little patience, the right spot, and a bit of luck. Caddis, Pale Morning Duns, and Tricos are all hatching in large numbers. A two fly system can be useful when prospecting, or when throwing small, almost impossible to see, emergers. Attach a point fly, usually larger and easier to see, to your leader, or the tag end of your joining knot, either a double surgeons, or blood knot, and then attach a second smaller fly 18-24 inches behind. Quite useful when fishing tiny emergers to splashy risers.
Nymphing is a great way to catch trout on the Bow River. Nymphing is a great way to effectively cover water. Stonefly, and caddis imitations, as well as attractor patterns, such as San Juan Worm variations, or Will's Chai Tea, along with leeches are all excellent choices right now. Lot's of weeds, so be prepared.
Streamer fishing remained the most productive fishing method, but has also suffered a bit from the water conditions. With more stable conditions the streamer fishing should remain productive. Fewer Brown Trout, and more Rainbow Trout, are being caught.
Spey fishing is a great way to avoid obstacles in, and around, the water. Tall grasses can be avoided, and when skating flies, so can the growing weed beds. Skating dry flies is very fun. Putting the spey casting and skating together is usually a recipe for fun times.
Shirts for the cool evenings, and, soon, days to come.
The Eastern Slope rivers and streams have all pretty much cleared up, and are fishing well. Caddis, and PMD's are hatching regularly, and Grasshoppers are around in numbers. Get out there while/when you can. Time is limited. This is our summer.
Click here for our Eastern Slopes Opener
Weeds have taken over most lakes. Surface flies, mouse, or frog imitations, fished early in the morning, or during the evening are great way to provoke strikes, and avoid the weeds Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.
Level 1 Fly Fishing Course
Tomorrow (Saturday, August 23) is the last session. 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
Back Roads Maps. For all your back roading needs.
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
Tying accessories to keep your junk organized, and/or make you life easier.
Dries: Morrish Hopper, Juicy Hopper, Henneberry Hopper, OG Chubby Foam, Club Med Hopper, Extra Chubby Chernobyl, 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,
The weather forecast for next week has a zero percent chance of rain. So we'll say 10%. This could be the start of our new shortened summer.
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.
The time is now! The rivers are in summer form, finally. Get out there and enjoy the remainder of summer. And hope the our Autumn makes up for our shortened summer.
