Bow River Fishing Report - May 15, 2026

Lot's of bugs, and lot's of wind. Between the wind, and the off colour water, not much was happening for consistent risers and dry fly fishing. Clouds of Blue Winged Olives, a few remaining midges, and the start of the caddis hatch, signify good times ahead. 

Happy May Long Weekend! In typical May-long fashion, this weekend looks like it could be a rough one, with rain and/or snow, until Monday. The rest of the week seems more stable. River levels and colour will be affected by whatever the rain and snow melt adds to the actual runoff, which is starting to ramp up. A lot also depends flood mitigation, irrigation, and industrial concerns. The river will continue to be high, and off colour, until most of the considerable snow pack has been depleted, and flood controls are no longer necessary.

Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Joel

Left to Right from top: Galloup's Dungeon, Bloody Black Leech, Coffey's Cone Head Sparkle Minnow, TJ Hooker, 4 Bead Caddis, Bead Head Flash Back Pheasant Tail, Ms. Tickle Cripple, Doug's Gnatty Boy, Pav' s Hare's Ear X-Caddis

Bow River Fishing

There are continuing large afternoon hatches of BWO's pretty much every day. There are less midges around, and the caddis are starting to hatch during late afternoon and early evening hours. Try to take advantage of any windless afternoons, and evenings. Soft inside seams, and the soft insides of at the head of pools, will often present your best chance at spotting consistently rising fish. Small BWO, and caddis flies will be the best options until the stoneflies start to hatch and larger flies come into play.

Nymphing has been pretty good, but was more challenging early in the week when the river spiked. Once there was a more consistent flow the nymph fishing picked up. Get your fly, or flies, down as deep as possible. Target, deeper, walking pace water in pools and current seams. A two nymph system, using combinations of worms, leeches, and stone flies(in any order you desire), can be very effective in high water. A 9' leader to the first fly, followed by a second fly about 16-18" below. Tie on the 16-18" tippet using either a double surgeons knot, or a blood knot, and then tie the fly on to the lower tag end. Tippet rings can also be used for ease of retying. Caddis emergers have started to work, in both traditional. and hopper-dropper rigs.Back Country Skinz has a great selection of merch. Stay warm, and protected, during you back country adventures.

The fish are more chasing streamers than taking them. Spikes in the water levels, along with clarity issues, have made things challenging. Things should improve if the river levels stabilize. Higher flows should be pressing the fish closer into the banks. Don't neglect the mid-river bars, and drop offs, as they can hold some large fish. Large dark streamers have proved the most productive.

Trout spey with large dark flies, and an aggressive sink tip, have been producing in the heavier water. Swinging flies through, runs and riffles, is a fun and effective way to cover lots of water quickly, with minimal effort. Hits on the swing are usually pretty exciting, and often splashy.

Pike Fishing

Pike fishing on sunny, calm days, in shallow bays, and off of weed beds, still offers the best chance at this time of the year. Smaller baitfish imitations can be deadly at this time of the year. Consult you Alberta Sport Fishing Regulations for any closures, or restrictions, before you head out. 

Events

Come on in to Fish Tales on Saturday, May 30, get your waders tested for leaks. It's a great way to find out exactly where the holes are and make it easier for self repairing.

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.

Water Not Coal is Corb Lund's Citizens Initiative Petition to protect the Eastern Slopes of Alberta’s Rocky Mountains. Please sign the petition!

Books

Books about hatches are a great way to plan your season. Figure out what you should buy, or tie, for the upcoming season. 

Bow River Flies to try:

Dries: Peacock Caddis, Bloom's Parachute Caddis, Swisher's Dancing Caddis, Micro Frank, Silverman's Crystal Stimi, Harrop's Last Chance Cripple, Ms. Tickle Cripple, Double Vision BWO, Parachute Extended Body Mayfly

Streamers: Conrad Sculpin, Tungsten Found Ya Bugger, Skiddish Smolt, Lynch's Mini Drunk and Disorderly, Gartside Leech, Hot Head Woolly Bugger, Gartside Leech, Skiddish Smolt, Jig Slum Lord Mini Leech, 

Nymphs: Smethurst's Stone Bomb, Goldie Hawn Stonefly Nymph, Hai's Jig Leech Bomb, Stonefly Jig, Rubber Legged Squirrel, Tungsten Red Tie Pheasant Tail Jig, SP Tungsten Bead Mop Fly, Werminator, Gummy Worm, Wire Worms

Trout Spey: She Ra Tungsten Bead Jig, Soft Hackle Hare's Ear, Tungsten Energizer Squirrel Jig, Jerry's WMD Sculpin Intruder, Stu's Mini Ostrich Intruder, Brett's Klamath Skater, Bead Head Perpetrator

Legs for all of your creations. Tons of colours, and combinations. A little leggy goodness for that extra something something

Please remember to try to keep fish wet and remember to pinch your barbs. 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:

FYI - As per the Government of Alberta:

Rob