Bow River Fishing Report - July 17, 2026

The Bow is in good shape, with slightly more consistent levels, and daily better visibility. Some sharp changes in the water levels happened in both Banff, and Calgary, and to a lesser extent in Carseland. The river remains slightly high, but with closer to normal levels, and continues to drop and clear. Anglers have reported some tough fishing, but also some really great fish.

Bugs everywhere! The tail end of the Stoneflies is underway, and both, caddis and Pale Morning duns, are hatching daily in large numbers. The fish are fat and happy, and so are many anglers.

Boat Launch Update

Policeman's Flats is open!

All boat launches are open, with the exception of Legacy Island.

Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Allard

Left to Right from top: Skid Bitch, Parachute Adams, Willie's Ant, Reece's Pieces, Peacock Leech, Red Wire Worm, Bow River Bugger, Hai's Jig Leech(unavailable at time of posting), Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow

Bow River Fishing

The dry fly fishing has not been as good as all of the bugs may suggest. It may take some time for the fish to settle in and start rising with any sort of consistency. With lot's of Stonefly, caddis, and Pale Morning Duns hatching through out the day, and the grasshoppers starting to chirp on the steep and grassy banks, it is only a matter of time until the dry fly fishing goes off. 

Stonefly nymphs, and leeches patterns continue to be your best bets in the high, still, off colour water. Fish as deep, and slow, as possible. The fish are starting to move, but are still concentrated in deep pools, and other holding water. The longer you can keep your nymphs in this zone, the better your chances of success. Add weight, and/or tippet, until contact with the bottom is obtained. Fast heads of pools, and tail outs, should not be ignored. Back Country Skinz are a great substitute for waders in many situations. 

The streamer fishing is going great, and has resulted a ton of follows, along with some very nice fish. Decent water clarity returns to the river, and it continues to journey down to more typical levels. Working the banks, soft seams, and pocket water, with a heavy sink tip, and/or heavily weighted fly, will offer some of your best chances. Lighter coloured flies, often with some flash, are starting to work better, but larger profile dark flies also continue to attract fish.

Now is the time to start skating dries through runs, and riffles, with your trout spey. A heavy sink tip will still be appropriate for the high water conditions, but skating dry flies with the Stonefly hatch still underway is often a great idea. And plenty of fun. 

Nebo lighting products. If darkness won't stop your fishing, you need Nebo. Rechargeable lights for all situations.

Eastern Slopes

The Eastern Slopes streams, and rivers, are down to almost normal levels, and for the most part, quite clear. Still lot's of bugs, caddis, PMD's, and plenty of terrestrials, including early season hoppers. Top water action has been tough to come by, but as things stabilize the fish should become more willing to feed on the surface. In the meantime small streamers and nymphs have proven fairly effective.

Pike

The weeds have almost taken over most Pike lakes. This is making the fishing quite difficult. However, many persistent anglers have been rewarded with good fish. Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.

Courses

2026 Level One Fly Fishing Course

This one-day session features both classroom instruction and an afternoon of hands-on fly casting. Students with spend the morning in a classroom environment learning the basics about equipment, lines, knot tying, and more. After lunch, (included with registration), students head outside for a dry-land casting session. By the end of the day students will be able to cast 30 feet of fly line.

Click here for 2026 Dates, or to register online.

Books

Books that break down the basics, and aim to make fly tying more accessible, and also less intimidating.

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, True Golden Stone, Fool's Gold, Ken's Chubby Jack, Morrish 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, Dali Lama, Kreelex Minnow, Articulated Sparkle Yummy, Lynch's Drunk and Disorderly, Zonker Skullhead

Nymphs: Jimmy Legs, T.J. Hooker, Smethurst's Stone Bomb, SP Tungsten Bead Mop Fly, Werminator, Wire Worms, Reese's Pieces, Puparazzi Tungsten Jig Caddis, BH Extended Body Caddis Pupa, Tungsten BH Rock Grinder Barbless 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

Especially with the hot weather, please remember to try to keep fish wet, and pinch your barbs. Keeping fish in the water as much as possible, will help reduce the stress put on the fish. Pinching your barbs will make releasing the fish easier, for you, and the fish.

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

Rob