Bow River Fishing Report - August 29, 2025
Aug 29, 2025
It's hot. Followed by continued hotness, at least for the next little while. The river looks very good, but fishing is tough, with less rising fish, mostly due to heat and direct sunlight. There have still been hopper eats through out most days, not particularly consistent however.
So many bugs! Bugs in the river, bugs in the air, bugs in the grass. Bugs. Heat and direct sun have kind of put off the dry fly bite. Mozzies are epically bad, so cover up, and use bug spray, and maybe you will survive. Remember to be careful around fly lines, and waders, when using products containing Deet.
Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Will
Top to Bottom - Left to Right: Olive Gartside Leech, Blue/Black CH Flash-A-Bugger, White Complex Twist, Barbless Jig Perdigon, Will's Chai Tea, Grape Fat Frank, Dark Olive Parachute Caddis, Morrish Hopper
Caddis, Pale Morning Duns, and Tricos are all hatching in large numbers. Grasshoppers and the occasional Stonefly continue to provide your large fly opportunities. Larger flies should be thrown as close to the bank as possible, usually in a boating scenario, and worked through riffles and runs. If you have drifted your fly through likely water with no result, consider skittering your fly over the same water, or combining skittering and drifting in your first pass. You may be surprised with the results.
Fishing with a combination of large and small nymphs will allow you to cover more of the water column, and gives the trout different options. If one fly out preforms another, consider changing out the weaker option. Still lot's of weeds, so be prepared to deal with that.
Streamer fishing continues to be one of the more productive fishing methods, but has also suffered a bit from the bright hot weather. Smaller streamers in brown, and olive, have been quite effective. Fish coming out of holes off of the banks and lurking deep in pools during the hot weather. Sink your flies as deep as possible. If you are not ticking off of the bottom at some point during your swing, or strip, consider adding more weight, or changing to a heavier fly.
Spey fishing is a great way to avoid obstacles in, and around, the water. By skating flies, tall grasses can be avoided, as can weed beds. Skating flies is a fun and productive way to cover lot's of water looking for eager fish.
Sun protection for kids. Protect them from the sun, because skinned knees, and eating bugs, are outside of your control.
The Eastern Slope rivers and streams are clear and running at normal levels, but fish has been tough, mostly due to the clear hot weather. Caddis, and PMD's are still hatching regularly, and there are a great number of Grasshoppers around. Get out there. There is still some time left.
Click here for our Eastern Slopes Opener
Weeds, and heat, are taking their toll. Surface flies, fished early in the morning, or during the evening, may provoke some strikes, and at least avoid weed beds. Small flies fished deep have produced fish, but more often weeds. Persistence, and patience, is the key to success. Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.
If you feel like a fun challenge, give tying Steelhead and Atlantic Salmon Flies a try.
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
Quick release options for this hot weather. Make it easier on the fish by keeping it in the water during this hot weather. Anytime really, but especially during hot weather fish can over stressed by handling.
Dries: Morrish Hopper, Juicy Hopper, Henneberry Hopper, OG Chubby Foam, Extra Chubby Chernobyl, Pav's X-Caddis, Double Vision PMD, Bloom's Para Ant
Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Skiddish Smolt, Clouser Minnow, JT's Kreelex Minnow, 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,
Buffs for extra sun protection. Don't let the sun take you out. Fishing days are too valuable to lose to sun stroke.
The weather forecast is hot, hot, hot. The fishing may a bit tough with the crystal clear water, and blazing sun. Faster, oxygenated water, deeper pools, and undercut banks will hold fish. Whether they decide to take the fly is another issue altogether.
Watch your footing it is very slick out there! Please wade with care, and continue to watch out for bank erosion, especially around high banks, and undercuts. I saw high banks crumbling randomly last week.
Get out there! Summer is almost over, and there is no guarantee of a mild fall.
Fact: You will catch 100% more fish if you go fishing.
Since you read to the end. I saw surface Boatmen on the bottom end last week.
