Skip to content
Close (esc)

important SHIPPING UPDATE

The recent Canada Post strike may affect shipping to some destinations - Read more to learn how your order may be affected

Read more
Bow River Fishing Report - October 3, 2025

Bow River Fishing Report - October 3, 2025

The cooler nights have increased fish activity, but the clear skies, and crystal clear river, has continued their wariness. Meaning that they are still pretty hard to fool, especially in a dry fly scenario.

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

It sounds like there are a lot fewer hoppers out there these days. Still enough of them out there that the trout are eating them occasionally, either as single flies, or as part of a hopper-dropper rig. Lot's of Trico's, Midges and BWO's. There are still a few, random, large mayflies flying around. Lot's of, very small, Water Boatmen.

Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Daniel Z Top to Bottom - Left to Right: Skiddish Smolt, Clouser Minnow, Precious Metal, Harrop's CDC Biot Dun, Henneberry Hopper, Crystal Ant, Dee's Boatman/Backswimmer, Tung Stud

Very small dries, Trico, Midge, or BWO imitations are all working pretty well for rising fish. The fish tend to be quite skittish in these low, clear, water conditions, so lighter tippet, and a bit of stealth are often needed. Softer seams, and slower backwaters, are good places to spot rising fish, but don't neglect the faster water near the heads of pools. Any bucket , or deflection, can hold feeding fish. The rises are harder to spot, but often larger fish. 

The nymphing has picked up with smaller nymphs working quite well. Approximately walking pace water will be your main target, as usual, but don't neglect the slower backwaters, and soft seams, with boatman imitations. Cast, or drift, into the softer water and strip back with short, sudden, strips.

Smaller streamers are working pretty well right now. The cooler evenings seem to have put the trout on the hunt. The browns are on the move, and the rainbows are fattening up for the impending winter. Trailing a boatman imitation behind your streamer is a great idea this time of the year.

Spey casting using small wet flies is a surprisingly effective way to catch larger trout. The swing through faster water is often too quick for the smaller fish to latch onto, but may hook larger fish.Patagonia Black Hole bags and cubes for all of your storage, and organizational, needs.

ES1

Eastern Slope rivers, and streams, are still low and clear, with spooky fish. Nymphing continues to be productive, with some fish coming up for the dry. Ants and beetles continue to be a great dry fly choice. This is the time for large streamers for Bull Trout.

Pike Fishing

The pike activity has picked up as they prepare for winter. They are actively cruising and looking to eat anything they can before the cold sets in and everything starts to slow down for them. Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.

Hatch books a great tool for helping to plan your tying and/or fishing. Plus, bug are cool.

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:

  1. Pinching your barbs
  2. Keeping fish wet
  3. Eliminating unnecessary fish contact with dry surfaces 
  4. Reducing handling time

Flies and Foam Fly Tying Series at Prairie Dog Brewing

Join us at Prairie Dog Brewing for a series of four fly tying nights between October 2025 and April 2026. This series focuses not only on fly tying, but fun, and community too.

Tyers will need 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.

Dubbing for all of your dubbing needs.

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.

Fall 2025 Course Dates:

Session 1 - Tuesdays - October 21st and 28th, November 4th, 11th, and 18th

Winter 2026 Course Dates:

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

Bow River Flies to try:

Dries: Lil Pete Copper Hopper, Bjorn's Hopper, Extra Chubby Chernobyl, Pav's X-Caddis, Micro Frank, Rowley's Water Floatman, Arrick's Flying Ant, Royal Ant, Glo Ant, Tom Thumb, Goddard Caddis

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 HookerWill's Chai T, Tungsten Jig Mic DropTung Stud, Perdigon, Wagler's Boatman, Dee's Boatman/Backswimmer

Trout Spey: Aqua Stu's Ostrich Intruder, AF Mattoli's Spey Bugger, Brett's Klamath Skater, McGovney's Skater, Senyo's GL Predator, Mini McMouseface, Dee's Boatman/Backswimmer, John Deer Caddis, TB Swing Nymph 

FYI - As per the Government of Alberta:

The forecast continues to be clear, for the most part, with possible weekend showers, and sporadic cloudiness, later in the week. The trout continue to be sort of skittish, but the rain, and/or clouds may change that.

Wade with caution, and common sense. The rocks are slippery, and the water is cold. and getting colder.

The weather is cooperating, for the time being, so get out there while the getting's good! The time for reflecting on the season, and tying flies, is not here yet.

Older Post
Newer Post
Back to top

Shopping Cart

Your cart is currently empty

Shop now