Bow River Fishing Report - September 12, 2025
Sep 12, 2025
Hot, sunny weather, along with exceptionally clear water, have made for some tough angling. More sun, and heat, are forecast for most of this week, with a touch of cloudiness and possible rain. Smaller nymphs on lighter tippets have proven the most effective. Fish can see everything right now, so lighter tippet may be a consideration.
Still lots of bugs around. This should continue until the first hard frost, which will take a lot of them out. Water Boatmen are increasing in numbers and the fish should continue to be on them far into the fall.
Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Will
Top to Bottom - Left to Right: Henneberry Hopper, Parachute Caddis, White Cloud Hopper, Clousabou, Bow River Bugger, Skiddish Smolt, Tungsten Jig Assassin, Dee's Boatman
The fish are starting to rise fairly steadily on most evenings, when ever the wind is not howling. Even then you can often find a sheltered spot where there are some sippers. Caddis numbers are down a bit, but are often still effective enticing a risers. A single, often small, hopper has been sporadically successful, however, hopper dropper rigs have been producing most days, with fewer hopper hits.
Nymphing is very effective right now, well usually really. Water Boatmen are a thing on the Bow River right now. Swing, or hard strip, boatmen imitations through runs and pools. Slower water, and back eddies, should be targeted as well, and flies should be stripped quickly and erratically. Standard nymphing will also be effective. Try smaller, lightly dressed flies like Will's Chai T, or a Tungsten Jig Assassin.
The streamer fishing has slowed , somewhat, but continues to produce bigger fish when compared to other techniques. Smaller streamers have become more effective, with the extreme water clarity making the fish wary.
Using spey casting to avoid the high grass on your back cast, worth its weight in gold, while increasing your casting efficiency, and allowing you to cover a great deal of water in a shorter period of time. Spey casting, combined with skating dry flies, is pretty much unbeatable.
Warm Patagonia base layers for the impending cold.
The Eastern Slope rivers, and streams, are extremely clear, and running at seasonal levels. Fish, however, has been tough, mostly due to the clear hot weather. Still lots of bugs and grasshoppers around. Light hopper dropper, or nymph rigs will be most effective, but sticking to the dry will often pay off in the most delightful way. What are you waiting for? Time is running out.
The cooler evenings have increased the pike activity, mostly during evening, and morning hours. Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.
Tactics for tough conditions.
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
We have a great variety of pheasant and partridge skins for some fun soft hackle fly tying.
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 - October 21st and 28th, November 4th, 11th, and 18th
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
Dries: Heifer Hopper, Morrish Hopper, Juicy Hopper, Lil Pete Copper Hopper, Bjorn's Hopper, OG Chubby Foam, Extra Chubby Chernobyl, Pav's X-Caddis, Para-Humpy, Bloom's Para Ant, Micro Frank, Rowley's Water Floatman,
Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Skiddish Smolt, Clouser Minnow, JT's Kreelex Minnow, Jig Slum Lord Mini Leech, Cheech Leech, Silvey's Sculpin Leech
Nymphs: Jimmy Legs, TJ Hooker, Will's Chai T, Puparazzi Tungsten Jig Caddis, Tungsten Jig Mic Drop, Lightning Bug Barbless Jig, Tung Stud, Perdigon, Wagler's Boatman, Dee's Boatman/Backswimmer
Trout Spey: Rio's Pocket Rocket, 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
The forecast is warm and sunny, becoming slightly cooler later in the week, with possible mid-week showers. The cooler weather has increased trout activity, but water clarity has made them wary, and tough to catch. Grasshopper and boatmen imitations are a good idea right now, with imitations of both provoking aggressive strikes.
Please wade with care, the rocks are super slick right now.
Go and enjoy the river, and nice weather, while you still can. Winter is coming. Summer passed in the blink of an eye. Hope for an extended, and temperate, autumn.
