Bow River Fishing Report - October 25, 2026

Still plenty of bugs this past week. Snow, and cold, are forecast for this weekend. The low overnight temperatures may mean the end of some of the less hardy mayflies during this cold snap, but some will return, Blue Winged Olives along with midges, when the weather breaks, and warmer temperatures return. The fishing this week had some tough moments. The Bow is still running low, and crystal, clear making the fish quite wary. There was also a very sudden, and significant drop in water levels, on Thursday, followed immediately by an equally sudden rise. The drop was shockingly low exposing lots of river bank that is not usually exposed. Whatever Trans Alta is doing, this is a crappy time for it, some of this fall's Brown Trout spawning redds were definitely effected, and not in a positive way. 

Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Gideon

Left to Right from top: Kreelex Minnow, Cone Head Sparkle Yummy, Catch Flies Baitfish Perch, CDC Comparadun, Skater Tot, Hot Spot Comparadun, BH Lightning Bug, Morris Water Boatman, Galloup's Tranquillizer Jig

Bow River Fishing

Very small flies is still the way to go when fishing to rising fish. For prospecting for trout the hopper, in a hopper-dropper rig, has become pretty much an indicator, for the much more effective dropper portion. It may be time to retire the hopper-dropper and switch to either a dedicated dry, or more logically, a nymph rig. Rising fish are often spotted on long flats, or soft current seams, off of faster water. Long, light leaders and tippet, along with very small flies, are going to be needed to fool the fish in clear, low conditions, but things may change after this snowy, cold snap, and we may have to adjust our tactics.

Nymphing will be your most effective technique for catching trout in the Bow. Fish as deep as possible in deeper, walking pace, pools, or riffle water. If you are fishing Water Boatman imitations , or even worms and leeches, be sure to let the flies finish out their drift. By that I mean let the line straiten out behind you after your bobber has stopped allowing the flies to start moving upwards, which can often trigger a strike. 

The streamer fishing has been a bit tough, with the low and clear river conditions. Smaller streamers continue to working best, but large articulated streamers have caught some very nice fish recently. If the conditions change due to snow melt, streamers may become the way to go for anyone still able, or keen, to get out.

The trout spey continued to be pretty fun, mostly due to the amount of Water Boatmen. Used as a trailing fly, or on its own, Water Boatmen are a very fun option for successfully swinging riffles, and runs.

For more useful information on fall fishing check out out our Small for Fall article.

Fish Tales has a good selection of winter hats. It's probably time to consider one.

Eastern Slopes

One week and then it is done. The rivers and streams were low and very clear this past week, but that could all change depending on the acumulation of snow and how rapidly, or slowly, melting occurs, if it does. Level One Fly Tying Course - Fall 2026 and Winter 2027

Our Level One Fly Tying Course is designed to provide new tiers with the skills needed to sit down at the vise and tie most flies.

In this course you'll learn the key fundamentals of fly tying, including but not limited to:

• Vise and Tool Use
• Proportions
• Material and Hook Selection
• Proper Finishing Techniques

This course is one evening per week for five weeks. Classes start at 7 pm and run for about 2 hours. Courses are offered in-person at Fish Tales Fly Shop in our fly tying space.

Courses are limited to five participants.  or visit the store to secure your space today!

Fall 2026 Course Dates:

Session 1 - Tuesdays - October 27, November 3, 10, 17, 24

Register Here for Fall 2026

Winter 2027 Course Dates:

Session 1 - Tuesdays - January 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16

Session 2 - Tuesdays - March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Register Here for Winter 2027

Pike

The fall is a great time to catch pike as they fatten up for the long winter to come. Get out there before you can't. Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.

Books

Books on bug hatches, and their lifecycles, This will help to determine the effects they will have and help the fly anglers preparation and planning.

Flies & Foam at Prairie Dog Brewing

Flies & Foam is back with an all-new lineup of fly tying events hosted at Prairie Dog Brewing.

Tickets for each event are $25 and include a materials kit for the night's flies and a $9 credit toward Prairie Dog Brewing food or beverage. Tying will start at 7PM, but participants are welcome to arrive earlier for a bite to eat, or to settle in.

Registration is required for these events.

This winters remaining line-up:

Wednesday, November 18th, 2026 - Life Stages of Caddis

Wednesday, January 6th, 2027 - Leeches for Alberta Streams

Wednesday, February 17th, 2027 - Stonefly Life Stages

Wednesday, March 31st, 2027 - Terrestrials with Ray

Click here to register

We have a large variety of brushes to help make your streamers go.

Bow River Flies:

Dries: Harrop's Last Chance Cripple, Goddard Caddis, Klinkhammer Dry, Chubby Chernobyl, Heifer Hopper, Lil Pete Copper Hopper, Booty's Cripple, Adams Irresistible, Indicator Spinner Trico, Trina's Hi-Vis Sprout, Doug's Gnatty Boy, Renegade, Parachute Extended Body Mayfly, Parachute Sipper Mayfly

Streamers: Coffey's Sparkle Minnow, Galloup's Flat Head Kitty, Bjorn's Sculpalicious, CH Bow River Bugger, Kreelex Minnow, Lynch's Drunk and Disorderly, Zonker Skullhead, Vampire Leech, Precious Metal, Cheech Leech, Gartside Leech, Bead Head Rabbit Leech

Nymphs: BH UV Zebra Midge, Reese's Pieces, Juan's UV Kryptonite Jig, Tereyla's Lightsaber Jig, BH Extended Body Caddis Pupa, Tungsten BH Rock Grinder Jig, Copper John, Red Shop Dip, CDC Pheasant Tail Jig, Tungsten Tailwater Tiny 

Trout Spey: General Practitioner, Tungsten Energizer Squirrel Jig, Jerry's WMD Sculpin Intruder, Stu's Steelie Piglets, Brett's Klamath Skater, Rickards' A.P. Emerger, Tailwater Soft Hackle, Hot Spot Soft Hackle

We continue to ask that you handle your fish with care by:

The forecast this week is ok, above zero for Monday and Tuesday, but after that things get pretty dicey. The forecast snow, and subzero temperatures, will put a damper on any sort of outdoor fishing endeavor. Maybe it is time to consider tying some flies, or reading a book, something more inside.

Get out there if, or when, you can. Whenever, weather, and/or, life allows.