Bow River Fishing Report - July 24, 2026

It's on! Everything is happening right now. Lot's of bugs. Cleanish water. Fake overcast conditions due to smoke. Everything is chasing everything. Streamers? Yep. Dry Fly? Yep. Nymphing. You bet. Early in the day, and evening, will be the sweet spot. 

Huge evening hatches of caddis are now the norm. Late morning, or early afternoon PMD's are are happening, and in calmer condition often quite fishable. The Stoneflies are tailing off, but still effective. More hoppers every day. Good times!

Boat Launch Update

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

Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Daniel

Left to Right from top: Kreelex Minnow, Tungsten Found Ya Bugger, Vampire Leech, KB's Hop Zone, Parachute Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl, Tungsten Energizer Squirrel, B Smo's Jigged Coffee Larva

Bow River Fishing

Ok. It took awhile, but the dry fly fishing is happening in spades. Heavy evening, and often mid-morning, hatches of caddis are the new normal for right now. PMD's, and other mayflies, are often happening during the day, and the last of the Stoneflies are still active at night. Less windy days are ideal for spotting risers, but don't limit yourself to them. Patient, and observant, anglers are often able to spot fish in almost any conditions. To catch fish on the dry fly, you have to fish a dry fly. Or you can fish a hopper-dropper rig, using either a Stonefly, or a grasshopper (which are increasing in numbers every day), as your indicator fly. 

Stonefly nymphs, and leeches patterns continue to be a good choice, but smaller nymphs are starting to preform well too. Continue to seek out deeper, almost walking pace water. and to work you nymphs as deep, and slow, as possible. The fish are are on the move, but will still concentrate in deep pools, and other holding water. During the heat fish will often move to the faster oxygenated water to cool off.  Do not neglect faster water, heads of pools, or tail outs. The Cling Rod Rack makes dropping your rod in the river, or rocks, a thing or the past.

The streamer fishing is going balls out. Good clarity, and more typical water levels, have put the bite on. Working the banks, soft seams, and pocket water will offer some good chances, but don't neglect faster water at the heads of pools, tail outs, and other faster water. Smaller bait fish patterns, and of course leeches, are working well.

Using your trout spey to skate, and swing, dries, and soft hackles, through riffles and runs is a great way to spend the day, or even a couple of hours. Pick your set-up, get in a rhythm, and work some water. You can cover a great deal of water using very little effort compared to a single handed rod by using a trout spey.  FishPond fishing accessories and fishing accessory holders. From carrying your net to carrying out your litter. If it's fishing related FishPond probably has it covered.

Eastern Slopes

The Eastern Slopes streams, and rivers, are down to normal seasonal levels. They are generally pretty clear, with occasional murky conditions caused by rainfall. Lot's caddis, PMD's, the occasional green drake, and plenty of terrestrials. The dry fly action is getting better, as things continue to stabilize the fish should become more willing to feed on the surface. Small hopper-dropper rigs have been seeing plenty of success.

Pike

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.

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 on tying Caddis and terrestrials. That might be useful.

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

With the continuing hot weather, please remember to keep fish wet, and please 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, and much less stressful for all involved. 

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

Rob