Bow River Fishing Report - September 19, 2025
Sep 20, 2025
Bright, sunny days, and crystal clear water, have made the fish pretty skittish. The weather forecast call for slightly cooler temperatures and occasional cloud cover. Fish as deep as possible right now. Not much for surface action right now. Super long leaders are having marginally more success.
Hoppers are still hanging around, along with some caddis, a variety of mayflies, midges, some early Blue Winged Olives, and Water Boatmen. So there are lot's of options. What's working? Very small nymphs, or worms, fished as deep as possible, on a lighter than normal leader may be you best bet, still no guarantee, until conditions change enough to bring back the bite.
Bow River Flies: I-Need-A-Fish Picks 
Top to Bottom - Left to Right: Chenille Worm, Red Hot Worm, Reese's Pieces, Wire Worm, Werminator, Nich's Fish-Finder, Chenille Worm Dropper
The fish are still rising fairly steadily on most evenings, when conditions allow, but catching them is another matter. Consistent sippers can be found in soft seams and often in backwaters. Small dries, midge, Trico, and Blue Winged Olive imitation, are good bets, along with caddis around dusk.
Nymphing is the most effective technique right now. You are looking for riffles and deep runs with walking pace water. Get your flies as deep as possible, if you are not ticking bottom, or hanging up occasionally, add more weight, or tippet, or both. Deeper is better. Water Boatmen are still a thing on the Bow.
The streamer fishing continues to produce bigger fish, but smaller streamers have become more effective, The water clarity and bright days are making the fish wary. A small streamer, bugger, or leech, followed by a Water Boatman imitation can be very effective throughout the fall.
Now is the time when all of your trout spey practice can be turned into steelhead gold. All of the techniques, and tactics, that you have practice to catch Bow River trout can be adapted to Steelhead fishing. A larger scale, with some subtle changes, but the casts are the same and steelhead are exciting to catch.
Having a hard time keeping your feet underneath of you? Maybe it's time to get new wading boots. Lot's of brands and styles to choose from.
The Eastern Slope rivers, and streams are clear, and running at seasonal levels and the weather has been clear and hot. Still lots of bugs around. Light nymphing has been most productive, but fish are still coming up for the dry fly. Using ants and beetles is a great tactic when there is not a visible hatch.
The cooler evenings and shorter days have increased the pike activity. They are more actively cruising, looking to strap on the feed bag before winter sets in. Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.
Novels and other fly fishing themed writings.
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 variety of saltwater hooks so you can tie up some winners for your next saltwater adventure.
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, Extra Chubby Chernobyl, Pav's X-Caddis, Para-Humpy, Bloom's Para Ant, Micro Frank, Rowley's Water Floatman, Arrick's Flying Ant, Royal Ant
Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Skiddish Smolt, Clouser Minnow, JT's Kreelex Minnow, Jig Slum Lord Mini Leech, Cheech Leech, Silvey's Sculpin Leech, Tungsten Beaded Ice Leech, Thai Tea 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, with possible early, and late, week showers and cloudiness. The trout have been kind of spooky, so hopefully, the cooler and shorter days will help the fish overcome their wariness.
As always, wade with caution, and use common sense.
Take advantage of the nice weather while it is here. Who knows how long it will last? Zero percent of fish are caught from your couch.
