Bow River Fishing Report - July 18, 2025
Jul 18, 2025
The rain increased water levels, and decreased visibility, this week, and with more rain forecast we are probably in for more of the same. The higher water has the fish pressed up against the banks. The upper city stretch has decent visibility at this time, with things degrading as you move downstream. Things can change drastically, especially downstream of the Highwood.
Top to Bottom - Left to Right: Bead Head Prince Nymph, Jimmy Legs, BH Extended Body Caddis Pupa, Double Vision PMD, Rubber Legged Stimulator, Parachute Caddis, Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow, Brown & Yellow Budget Dungeon, Brown Skiddish Smolt
Large Stonefly imitations are a great choice right now. Very early morning, or late evenings, are still the prime times, but are occurring through out the day. If you come upon rising fish, however, you probably will require a smaller, more specific, fly. You could throw your Stonefly, but you may want to observe, and try to see what is hatching, or, even better, floating on the surface.
Nymphing continues to be very good, with some pauses in the action due to the rain, and the river fluctuations caused by this. Nymphing may get more difficult as the weed mass increases, but it is a risk/reward situation. If you're willing to clean the weeds off of your flies often, and maybe lose a couple, then nymphing should continue to be successful. Walking pace water should be targeted, and weight, and tippet should be added until the flies are ticking off of the bottom, or hanging up occasionally.
The streamer fishing has been great with the higher water levels. Large flies continue to produce large fish. The high water has the fish pressed close to the bank, and they are chasing, and hitting, flies hard. A trailing leech can be effective picking up an fish that are attracted, but not convinced, by the lead fly.
The trout spey fishing continues to work well. Skating flies has become a bit hit, or miss, but small dark streamers have been doing very well.
New Fish Tales branded hats. New colours, and styles.
East Slopes rivers and streams are fluctuating due to the sporadic rains. Still lot's of Caddis and Pale Morning, and Evening Duns on the go. Possible Green, and Brown, Drake hatches depending on location, and elevation.
Click here for our Eastern Slopes Opener
Now is the time to check out shoes and sandals for wet wading.
Level 1 Fly Fishing Course
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.
Classes are filling up quickly. Click here for Course Dates and to Register Online
Orvis Guides to everything fly fishing. Full of information on all types and aspects of fly fishing.
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.
- Pinching your barbs
- Keeping fish wet
- Eliminating unnecessary fish contact with dry surfaces
- Reducing handling time
Bow River Flies to try:
Dries: KB's Sleezy Rider Stonefly, Jake's Trigger Belly, Extra Chubby Chernobyl, RIO's Skater Tot, Ninch's Iceberg Caddis, Pav's X-Caddis, High Vis Parachute PMD, Klinkhammer PMD, Double Vision PMD, Harrop's CDC Thorax PMD
Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Hi Res Bugger, FM Olive Sculpin, Clouser Minnow, JT's Kreelex Minnow, Budget Dungeon, Strolis' Headbanger Sculpin, Conrad Sculpin
Nymphs: Strolis' Dimmer Stone ,Jimmy Legs, Rubber Legged Squirrel, Will's Chai T, Smethurst's Stone Bomb, Dirty Hipster Stonefly Jig, MFC Lightning Bug Purple, Puparazzi Tungsten Jig Caddis
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,
The forecast this week is again a bit unstable. Rain is forecast and things may, or may not, change drastically. Angling should continue to be good, outside of any hiccups caused by severe weather.
Wade carefully. Keep an eye out for thunder storms, as well as floating debris. A lot of stuff is washing down the river right now, don't get taken by surprise.
Get out there when weather, and river conditions allow. High water is a great time to catch the "big one."
Tight lines!
