Bow River Fishing Report - October 26, 2025

The weather forecast is calling for warm daytime temperatures and clear skies over the weekend, with slight cooling on Monday and Tuesday, and a return to slightly warmer temperatures next week. The river is cool, and continues to be very low, and clear.

The fishing has slowed down a little bit, but there are still good fish being caught by persistent anglers. All techniques have been effective in certain situation, and at certain times. Dredging nymphs and streamers through deep holding water has been effective mostly in situations where the angler is able to sink the fly effectively. There have been rising fish, mostly on sunny clear days. Just to add to the difficulty.

Still not sure what was going on at Carseland in over the last couple of weeks. The flow rocketed back up on Wednesday morning after almost exactly a week of exceptionally low flows. One can only assume it had to do with the pumping station that is being built by the Highway 24 bridge.

For more fall fly fishing tips see: Fall - a favorite fishing season

Still some Trico's around and lots of Midges, and BWO's. More risers lately, mostly small. Usually a larger one mixed in there somewhere.

Bow River Flies - Owner Picks - David

Top to Bottom - Left to Right: BWO Para Sipper, Double Stack Chernobyl, Doug's Gnatty Boy, JT's Veil Leech, Strolis' Headbanger Sculpin, JT's Hi-Res Bugger, Black Widow Tung Drop, Copper Worm, Doc's Deep Dweller

Smaller dry flies are still the ticket. Trico, midge, and BWO imitations tend to work best at this time of the year. Soft seams, and slow backwaters, are prime lies. Risers will be hard to spot, but a keen eye, and patience, will go a long way. A hopper-light dropper rig is a fun, and often effective, way to catch fish under the surface, while still having a chance at a dry fly bite.

The nymphing continues to be situationally good. Nymphs are working fairly well when worked as deeply as possible through the deeper runs. Fishing two flies, both tied to the tag ends of, either a double surgeons, or blood knot, or the hook bends. These are followed by split shot on a smaller diameter tippet size. This rig is hard to cast, but very effective to fish.

The streamer fishing has been hit, or miss. With some of the hits being very good. Deep presentations, through deep water is your best bet. Don't neglect the tail out water that will often hold feeding trout. 

Trout spey is a great way to cover a large amount of water, in a shorter amount of time, and often with greater finesse, than single handed rods. Small dark streamers and wet flies swung through riffles, and runs, is a fun way to cover lots of water, and reach places you may not be able to reach with a single handed rod.

We carry a large variety of Women's gear to help make the transition to fall, and then, spring fishing, more comfortable.

Traveling this winter? These Patagonia Black Hole MLC (Maximum Legal Carry-On) can help you to maximize your carry-on capacity.

ES1

Eastern Slope rivers, and streams continue to be low and clear, with very small nymphs, or streamers being your most effective options. There are still some fish coming for the dry fly, but the clear, low water, and bright sunlight have made catching them a challenge. Your time is limited on a lot of the eastern slope streams.

Pike Fishing

The cool weather has the pike actively cruising shallow bays and providing some good action for late season anglers.  Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.

We ask that you handle your fish with care by:

Check out our selection of fish themed glassware. 

Bow River Flies to try:

Dries: Extra Chubby Chernobyl, Pav's X-Caddis, Micro Frank, Rowley's Water Floatman,  Tom Thumb, Goddard Caddis, Griffith's Gnat, Para-Sipper Mayfly, Para Klinkhammer, Harrop's Last Chance Cripple, Stillborn Midge, Trina's Sprout

Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Skiddish Smolt,  Clouser Minnow, JT's Kreelex Minnow,  Jig, Slum Lord Mini Leech, Cheech Leech, Gartside Leech, Rickards' BH Seal Bugger Leech

Nymphs: Jimmy Legs, TJ Hooker, Will's Chai T, Tungsten Jig Mic Drop, Tung Stud, Perdigon, Wagler's Boatman, Dee's Boatman/Backswimmer, Black Widow Tung Drop, Doc's Deep Dweller

Trout Spey: Aqua Stu's Ostrich Intruder, AF Mattoli's Spey Bugger, Brett's Klamath Skater, McGovney's Skater, Darkes' Naknek Leech Tube Fly, Jerry's Baby Mouse, Dee's Boatman/Backswimmer, John Deer Caddis, TB Swing Nymph