Bow River Fishing Report - June 22, 2025
Jun 22, 2025
Fish Creek at noon Sunday, June 22, 2025
Summary of Conditions
- The Elbow catchment above Calgary has received approximately 50-70 mm of precipitation since yesterday morning and approximately 10-20 cm of snow in the higher elevations.
- The Bow catchment downstream of Banff/Canmore has received 80- 110 mm of precipitation since yesterday morning, while areas upstream of Banff/Canmore has received 10-30 mm of precipitation with snow recorded at higher elevations.
- An additional 30-50 mm of precipitation is forecasted through late this evening in the Bow and Elbow catchments with the potential for some showers on Sunday and Monday.
- Flows on the Elbow at Sarcee are forecast to peak at between 50-80 m3/s and are expected to peak on early Sunday morning
- Flows on the Bow are forecast to peak at between 300-450 m3/s and are expected to also peak in Calgary on Sunday morning
- The event for both the Bow and Elbow is expected to result in some pathway closures and inundation of low lying areas, but is not a concern from a community flooding perspective at this time.
We are having a high water event! Relentless rain has increased flows and decreased visibility though out the system.
Lots of bugs around, but good luck getting a fly to them. Good luck, them seeing anything below Fish Creek. Once the river stabilizes things should get back to normal, but it may take a few days, or a week. Once that happens the Stoneflies should be happening in a big way.
Bow River Flies - Stoneflies 
Nymphing will be a great choice post high water. You are looking for riffles and runs of walking pace water. If you are not ticking bottom, or hanging up occasionally, add more weight, or tippet, or both until that is achieved. Your favorite stone fly nymph would be a great choice right now.
Large, dark streamers continue to be the ticket. The streamer fishing has been hit, or miss. Some of the hits have been amazing! Amazing! The streamer fishing should continue to produce through the high water period, if clarity and. consistent river levels can be achieved.
Pike fishing continues to be good. Cooler, overcast days are your best bet, but any day you can get out can be a good one. The Bow River along with Lake McGregor, Crawling Valley Reservoir, Lake Travers, Little Bow, Clear Lake, Twin, Badger, and Lake Newell, are all great options. Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.
A good pair of wading boots can sometimes mean the difference between a good, or a bad day. These light weight options are a great choice for backcountry adventures.
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
Wading Shoes, are a great way to wet wade, once the temperature are appropriately high. Light weight, and fast drying, they are a comfy way to enjoy the river.
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
Books - New and back in stock. Barry White's, "My" Bow River, is a homey, tribute to the "old" Bow River by one of its legendary figures. The Pop Up Fly Fishing Mini Guide, is a new addition to our line of low tech, print, on-river solutions. Also, new to our shelves is, The Flies That Trout Prefer, a comprehensive trout behavior, tying, and fishing guide.
Dries: Black Micro Frank, Galloup's Double Winged Caddis, Keller's Centre Stage Caddis, 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, Cone Head Lightning Bugger, Marabou Clouser, Lynch's Mini Drunk & Disorderly, Galloup's Dungeon, Coffee's JJ CH Sparkle Minnow
Nymphs: Jimmy Legs, Rubber Legged Squirrel, Will's Chai T, Kaleidoscope, Tungsten Bead Head Prince, MFC Lightning Bug Purple, Puparazzi Tungsten Jig Caddis, 4 Bead Caddis,
Trout Spey: Rio's Pocket Rocket, Aqua Stu's Ostrich Intruder, Jerry's WMD Sculpin, AF Mattoli's Spey Bugger, King Squirrely Muddler
The rain has screwed things up for the moment on the Bow. How quickly thing normalize will depend on the normal upstream factors, runoff, Irrigation, and reservoir capacities, along with a new push of water due to the new snow in the mountains.
High water can sometimes make wading a bit hazardous. So be cautious. and consider your return options when you are making a crossing, or wading off of the points of islands. Take you time and ensure your footing. Watch for floating debris!
Continue to try to get out there whenever you can. River levels, and clarity, may change due to further rain, or snow in higher elevations. Wait and see, is now the approach.
Safe fishing.
Fish Tales
