Bow River Fishing Report - May 31, 2025
May 31, 2025
Runoff is coming!! Well, here actually. There is no telling how long, or intense run off will be. A lot will depend on what happens weatherwise. The forecast calls for hot weather and possible rain showers, both of which could contribute to increasing the river flow. The river is on the rise in both Banff and Calgary, and clarity may also become an issue.
The Highwood has been high with a couple of feet of visibility, but that could all change very quickly. Below the Highwood confluence visibility on the Bow can be considerably worse. Often the fishability of this section will depend on the quality of water coming out of the Highwood and into the Bow River.
Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Craig 
Nymphing will continue to be your best bet to catch fish. A larger, dark, stonefly nymph, or leech, is a great idea right now. Try adding split shot, and/or lengthening your leader, to achieve a deeper drift, until you are hanging up on the bottom occasionally.
The trout are chasing and hitting streamers hard. The higher water tends to press them up against the bank. Larger, dark coloured, streamers continue to produce some very good fish.
Swinging wet flies and small streamers through runs and riffles is an great way to cover water quickly, without expending a whole lot of effort. A consistent and effective rhythm can be attained with consistent practice and self-diagnoses.
Flotant is an essential part of dry fly session. Lot's of options for every dry fly situation and style.
Pike Pike fishing has been pretty good lately. 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.
Echo Fly Rod Demo Day Saturday June 21, is Echo Fly Rod Demo Day. Test out a new rod, or two, and receive some valuable casting input from industry experts.
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
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 for children. Cool and fun facts, and stories to excite the junior angler.
Dries: Booty's DL Cripple BWO, Double Vision BWO, 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
Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Hi Res Bugger, Tungsten Found Ya Bugger, Slum Lord Jig, FM Olive Sculpin, Clouser Minnow, JT's Kreelex Minnow, Cone Head Lightning Bugger, Marabou Clouser
Nymphs: Jimmy Legs, Rubber Legged Squirrel, Will's Chai T, Kaleidoscope, Tungsten Prince, BWO Killer Jig, Bead Head Prince, MFC Lightning Bug Purple, Puparazzi Tungsten Jig Caddis, 4 Bead Caddis, Juan's Jig UV Kryptonite Caddis, Tungsten Mic Drop
Trout Spey: Rio's Pocket Rocket, Aqua Stu's Ostrich Intruder, Jerry's WMD Sculpin, AF Mattoli's Spey Bugger, King Squirrely Muddler
The forecast calls for a cooler temperatures starting this weekend and carrying on through the week. Water colour, and levels on the Bow in Calgary, and down stream, really depend on the flood management, irrigation needs, and reservoir levels. Whatever runoff will be, is happening now.
Sun shirts are a great way to block damaging UV rays. Lot's styles, and colours.
The river is high, and dirty, and getting higher, so make sure you wade with caution. The extra flow, along with the slickness of the Bow River rocks, can be a sketchy proposition.
Get out there when you can. Runoff will dictate when and where you can fish in the next little while.
Fish Tales
