Bow River Fishing Report - October 26, 2025
Oct 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.
Flies and Foam Fly Tying Series at Prairie Dog Brewing
Wednesday October 29, Bow River Basics
Join us at Prairie Dog Brewing, this Wednesday, October 29, for the first of a series of four fly tying nights running until April 2026. This series focuses not only on fly tying, but fun, and community too.
Tyers will want to bring their vice, tools, thread, and glue, but non-tyers are very welcome too! The focus will be fun, with a touch of instruction to take with you. Tickets for each event are $25 and include a materials kit for the night and a $9 credit toward Prairie Dog Brewing food or beverage. The $10.00 tickets for non-tyers does not include materials kit.
Traveling this winter? These Patagonia Black Hole MLC (Maximum Legal Carry-On) can help you to maximize your carry-on capacity.
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.
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.
Bench Side reference guides.Please try to keep fish wet and remember to also 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
Check out our selection of fish themed glassware.
Level 1 Fly Tying
Start you fly tying journey in style. Get expert instruction from Fish Tales own, Will Spokes. Chai Tea Master, and all round good bloke. Will will get you off to a good start with a great base of skills, and techniques.
Session 1 - Tuesdays - January 27th, February 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th
Session 2 - Tuesdays - March 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st
Cost: $120 instruction fee - vise, tools and materials not included
Fall 2025/Winter 2026 Monday Night Tying Workshops
Join us this Monday, November 3, 2025 for the second in the series of Monday Fly Tying Workshops.
Registration is required. Register HERE
November 3, 2025 - Gamechangers with Gideon
November 17, 2025 - Go-To Nymphs with Will
December 1, 2025 - Boobies and Blobs with Craig R
January 19, 2026 - Classic Patterns/Updated Materials
February 2, 2026 - Dungeons with Gideon
February 23, 2026 - Pike Patterns with Jarod Brown
March 2, 2026 - Favorite Foam Flies with Ray Rowland
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
The flow at Carseland shot up to more normal levels this Wednesday, as you can see in the above chart, since the sudden drop last Wednesday. Makes me wonder how much water the new pumping station being built will be pulling out from below the weir. Time will tell.
As usual, please wade with caution, and show respect for your fellow anglers.
The weather seems to be holding for the time being, so get out there and enjoy it.
Tight lines!
