Bow River Fishing Report - July 25, 2025
Jul 25, 2025
The Bow River above Fish Creek, Friday, July 25
Clarity, as of Friday morning, was about 4 inches. Maybe. Conditions are worse downstream of Fish Creek.
As you may, or may not, know, last week was a fishing disaster on the Bow. Everything that could go wrong, went wrong. Bouts of intense, torrential, rain turned the river into chocolate milk, and spiked the river levels. Needless to say, fishing was terrible. With more rain in the forecast, who knows what is going to happened? And where did all the mud come from? Things should improve?
The bugs have not gone anywhere. Catching fish on flies that imitate them may be a bit of an issue, until things clear up and stabilize a bit more.
Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Courtney 
Top to Bottom - Left to Right: Kousin Kim Olive, Dornan's Chicklet Stinger, Jig Slum Lord Mini Leech, Reese's Pieces, Thai Tea Leech Jig, Chenille Worm Dropper, OG Chubby Foam, Club Med Hopper, Extra Chubby Chernobyl
Fish Creek, Friday, July 25.
When dry fly fishing resumes Caddis imitations will probably be your most consistent option. Soft seams and edges of pools, along with back waters, should be observed for risers. Caddis, PMD's, and, maybe, Stoneflies will be your main dry fly options at this point, but never underestimate the power of a terrestrial. Ant's and beetles can be very effective.
Nymphing should improve with much of the weed mass washing away. Now we just need the river to cooperate. Normal rules will apply. Look for walking pace water, in pools, and runs. This might be hard to come by for the next bit with the extreme high water. Once things settle down, and flows are consistent for an extended period of time, the fish should settle into their more usual lies. 
The streamer fishing was excellent before everything went to heck, and should resume once things stabilize. Larger streamers will continue be the ticket for as long as the high water persists.
The trout spey fishing has suffered the same fate as the other techniques. Almost impossible due to the conditions. As conditions improve, so should the spey fishing. Wet flies, streamers, and skated dries should all be in play when things get back to normal.
Fly Boxes for all the streamers that you got for the high water. Lot's of sizes and styles.
The Eastern Slope rivers and streams are still fluctuating due to the rain. 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
The cooler weather has picked up the bite at most local pike lakes. Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.
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
Hatch Guides are a great aid in helping to decide the flies you need for a trip, or a season.
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
Dries: KB's Sleezy Rider Stonefly, Jake's Trigger Belly, OG Chubby Foam, Club Med Hopper, Extra Chubby Chernobyl, Ninch's Iceberg Caddis, Pav's X-Caddis, High Vis Parachute PMD, Klinkhammer PMD, Double Vision PMD, Glo Ant, Cheeto Beetle
Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Kousin Kim Olive, Clouser Minnow, JT's Kreelex Minnow, Budget Dungeon, Strolis' Headbanger Sculpin, Jig Slum Lord Mini Leech, Cheech Leech, Silvey's Sculpin Leech
Nymphs: Strolis' Dimmer Stone, Jimmy Legs, Will's Chai T, Smethurst's Stone Bomb, Dirty Hipster Stonefly Jig, MFC Lightning Bug Purple, Puparazzi Tungsten Jig Caddis, Tungsten Jig Mic Drop, Lightning Bug Barbless Jig
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 Bow River below Fish Creek, Friday, July 25
The sun will shine eventually. Get some protection from the sun.
There is rain forecast for this week, but the showers should be nowhere near as intense as the craziness that occur during last week. Things should clear up gradually, and be fishable, maybe as early as Saturday. Or maybe not.
Please wade with care. The high dirty water can make for treacherous footing, and carry along all kinds of debris.
Get out there when weather, and river conditions allow. High water is a great time to fish. As is, any other time you can get out.
Tight lines!
