Bow River Fishing Report - October 4, 2026

Another great week of fishing on the mighty Bow River. Nymphing ruled the river, as usual, but observant dry fly anglers also cleaned up. Streamer fishing was also good but a bit challenging at times with the low clear water. Please watch out for, and avoid, Brown Trout, spawning redds. These will appear as clear, circular, patches in the gravel. If you are not sure, err on the side of caution and avoid the area.

Stable, best describes the forecast for early next week. Late in the week, and the weekend, are another story. Rain, and possible snow. I thing getting out before this all happens would be an excellent idea, if you can manage it.

Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Daniel

Left to Right from top: Skiddish Smolt, CH Crosseyed Muddler, Slum Lord Jig, Dee's Boatman, Tung Dart, Morrish Deep October Caddis, Ross BWO Split Wing SS Emerger, Elk Hair Caddis, Harrop's CDC Biot Dun

Bow River Fishing

Most days Blue Winged Olives were the dominant hatch, some days it was too windy to tell. Those days it was a bit more challenging to spot and catch rising fish, but that just makes it more rewarding when you make it happened. Lot's of surface hits on hopper-dropper rigs, but still mostly sub-surface. Small emergers, and cripples, worked well in a lot of situations, but it often took some fly changes, and sometimes it took throwing something unexpected out there. Like a tiny ant, or large Green Drake. There have been a few Crane flies around.

Nymphing continues to be the most effective way to catch trout on the Bow. Boatman nymphs can be swung on a tight line, through riffles and runs, and then stripped back have started to produce. For regular nymphing, or dropper rigs, very small nymphs have been the way to go. Deep pools with about walking pace water, along with faster heads of pools, tailouts, and riffle water, should be targeted when nymphing.

The streamer fishing has been good. The low clear water, and some times clear skies, made for some nervous trout. Smaller streamers were typically more effective overall than larger streamers, but both caught fish throughout the week.

The spey fishing continues to be effective, and fun. Using spey casts to avoid the high grass on your back cast is awesome, as is the one cast. Maybe combine Spey casting with skating dry flies, it will help avoid the weed in the river, and let's face it, dry fly is the most fun.

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

Eastern Slopes

The Eastern Slope rivers, and streams, are still clear and running at lower than seasonal levels. Fish, however, has been tough at times, mostly due to the clear low water. Caddis, Blue Winged Olives, and a variety of mayflies, are still hatching regularly. There are a still some high country grasshoppers around. Get out there while the regulations, and the weather, still allow.  All kinds of flash to make your streamers go.

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

As the weather starts to cool off the pike fishing should pick up. Smaller flies are starting to pick up larger fish.  Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.

Books

Books on the art of nymphing. 

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 line-up:

Wednesday, October 21st, 2026 - Flashy Streamers with Gideon

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

Tropical trip coming up? We have a great selection of Sun Hoodies, and other sun protection.

Bow River Flies:

Dries: Harrop's Last Chance Cripple, Goddard Caddis, Klinkhammer Dry, Chubby Chernobyl, Heifer Hopper, Morrish Hopper, The Chopper 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, Jailbreak Jig Leech,Bead Head Rabbit Leech

Nymphs: BH UV Zebra Midge, Wire Worms, Reese's Pieces, Puparazzi Tungsten Jig Caddis, 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, Steel Plow Skating Dry, Hoody's Hanger, Mini Mousey McMouseface

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

It is supposed to be pretty nice weatherwise this week, at least until the weekend. Typical. The water levels are a bit low for this time of the year, but as with everything else, this could change. The current low levels could make the fish very spooky. Using a lighter tippet than usual would not be a terrible idea if river conditions stay on the low and clear side. Just use a bit more caution than usual when play the fish on light tippet.

Get out there and enjoy the river anytime that you can make it happened. There is still time, but . . .