Bow River Fishing Report - May 22, 2026

Still lots of bugs. Plenty of BWO's, more and more caddis , and the beginning of the the Stonefly hatch. And still the fishing has been tough. Erratic flows, discolored water, and floating debris all combined to make for some challenging angling. If more consistent flows can be achieved in the city the fishing should improve.

This coming week seems like it should be a bit more stable. But who really knows? If the wind stays down, and the river cooperates, there should be some late afternoon, and evening, dry fly action. If the water stays high, and stable for an extended period, without too many spikes and drops, the fish should press closer into the banks. Which should make for some good streamer and nymphing opportunities. 

Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Rob

Left to Right from top: Trina's Stimi Chew Toy, Crystal, Stimulator, Chubby Chernobyl, BH Prince Nymph, BH Rubber Legged Squirrel, Werminator, CH Bow River Bugger, Copper Tung Spark A Bou, Clouser Minnow

Weights. Lot's of sinking options to help, get, and keep, your flies in the zone.

Bow River Fishing

The large BWO hatches should give way to the caddis that are starting to hatch during late afternoon and early evening hours. Take advantage of any calm, or less windy, afternoons, or evenings. Look for consistently rising fish on inside seams and below undercut banks. Caddis flies will be your best dry fly option until the stoneflies start to hatch and the foam flies become the ticket.

Nymphing has been hit, or miss, like the rest of the techniques. A more consistent flow should help pickup the nymphing.  Try to get your fly, or flies, down as deep as possible, for as long as possible. If you are not hanging up on the bottom, or losing the occasional fly, then you are doing it wrong. Add weight and/or tippet until contact with bottom is fairly regular, without hanging up too much. There is a fine line. Err on the side of "deeper". Target, deep, walking pace water in pools, and runs. Caddis and Stonefly nymphs have started to work, in both traditional nymphing, as well as hopper-dropper rigs.

Waders. Whether you are just starting out, or need to replace your old, well loved, waders, we have the waders for you. 

Fish continue to more chase streamers than take them. Things will improve, consistency wise, if the river levels stabilize. Continued higher flows, and lower visibility, should be pressing the fish closer into the banks. During these conditions mid-river bars, and drop offs hold some large fish. Large dark streamers continue to produce. Often a trailing weighted, or un-weighted, leech can increase your chances in the fasted off colour water.

With the come caddis hatches swinging wet flies has been a pretty effective way to cover riffles, runs, and especially tail outs with minimal effort. Even misses on the swing are usually pretty exciting, and often splashy.

Pike Fishing

Pike fishing in shallow bays, and off of weed beds, will offer a decent chance at this time of the year. Poppers and small baitfish imitations are a good choice 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. We are now in the home stretch. Please sign the petition!

Books

Reference Books are a great way to choose, and then tie flies. Full fly recipes and detailed tying instructions make these reference guides a useful part of any tyers library.

Bow River Flies:

Dries: Peacock Caddis, Bloom's Parachute Caddis, Streaking Caddis, Swisher's Dancing Caddis, 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, 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

A fly rod and reel combo is a great way to get started, or outfit yourself, without the hassle of matching rod, reel and line, because it is done for you. 

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