Bow River Fishing Report - November 1, 2025
Nov 05, 2025
Please Note: The Bow River Fishing Report will now be posted on a monthly basis until resuming the weekly format starting in April.
Also note: Provincial boat launches are closed on November 1, to re-open on April 15, 2026. The closures of Fish Creek, and McKinnon Flats boat launches are of specific concern to Bow River Anglers
The weather calls for relative warmth and partial cloudiness. The river is cool, very low, and clear. Get out there while the weather holds.
There are still good fish being caught, but in lower numbers, and among a lot of smaller fish. Dredging nymphs and streamers through deep holes and run has been the most effective. There have been rising fish, often on calmer days, or in sheltered spots.
The brown trout are spawning, so be careful around spawning redds if you come across them. They will appear as circular , or oval-ish, areas cleared out in the gravel.
For more fall fly fishing tips see: Fall - a favorite fishing season
Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Will
Top to Bottom - Left to Right: Gartside Leech, Slum Lord Mini Leech, Skiddish Smolt, Orange Profile Spinner, Griffith's Gnat, Mosquito, Tungsten Jig Copper, Will's Chai T
Midge, and BWO imitations are your best bests for dry fly action. Look for risers in soft seams, and slow backwaters. Risers may be hard to spot, but a keen eye, and patience, goes a long way.
Nymphs worked as deeply as possible through the deeper runs. Use a combination of heavy, lightly dressed flies, split-shot, and adding tippet, to get your flies, at least occasionally, ticking off of the bottom.
The streamer fishing has been good, to very good. Deep presentations, using a heavily weighted fly, or flies, and/or a heavy sink-tip, are best. Sink the fly as deep as possible, and swing through, or strip across. Clouser Minnows, or other heavy, lightly dressed flies, are a great choice, due to their high sink rate.
Right now is the perfect time for swing small soft hackles, or streamers.
Fly rods for every occasion. You never know which one will choose you next.
Cooler weather, and morning ice, are slowing down the pike fishing. Warm afternoons on a warm shallow bay can sometimes payoff. Sometimes it's a whole bunch of dinks, but every once in a while it turns out to be a big one. Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.
We have a new selection of books. Just arrived! We like books.
Please try to keep fish wet, and remember to pinch your barbs. Try to 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
We have a great selection of women's warm weather and winter gear, and apparel. Gear up for your salt water adventures, or help to extend the fall season on your home waters
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
Please continue to wade with caution, and show respect for your fellow anglers.
The weather continues to hold, so get out there and enjoy it while there is still time.
Tight lines!
Please note: The Bow River Fishing Report will now be posted monthly until resuming the weekly format In April.
