Bow River Fishing Report - September 26, 2025
Sep 26, 2025
What's with all of the Ladybugs?
Bright, sunny days, and abnormally low, clear water, have made fishing tough. Again, the weather forecast is calling for cooler temperatures, and more cloud cover. There has been some decent surface action this past week with smaller flies being taken, usually, on calmer days. Hopefully the cooler evenings will trigger more fish activity. Using longer leaders is has lead to a bit more success.
For more fall fly fishing tips see: Fall - a favorite fishing season
Plenty of bug life around. A ton of Trico's and BWO's. Water Boatmen continue to increase in numbers, that should continue grow far into the fall. Grasshoppers continue to thrive, although in decreasing numbers, and of smaller stature.
Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Gideon 
Top to Bottom - Left to Right: AF Mattoli's Spey Bugger, Double Bunny, AA Gabriel Leech, Cloud 9 Hopper, Air Bubble Boatman, Brett's Klamath Skater, She Ra Tungsten Bead, Morris Water Boatman, Tung Jig Pheasant Tail
Consistent sippers can often be found in soft seams, and backwaters, feeding on spent spinners. Very small dries, Trico, Gnat, or BWO imitation should all work fairly well, with proper placement. Pick your fly out from all of the naturals can often be a bit of an issue. Using a slightly larger fly as a visual indicator cab often be effective. If you choose this route, however, make the indicator fly as small, and unobtrusive, as possible, to avoid spooking your target fish. The fish tend to be quite skittish in these low, clear, water conditions.
Nymphing is a great way to catch fish, even in these tough conditions. Concentrate on deeper, walking pace, water when nymphing. However, boatmen imitations can be swung through riffles and runs, and then short stripped up the soft seam.
The streamer fishing continues to produce, with smaller streamers, a clouser, bugger, or leech, followed by a Water Boatman working pretty well right now. The water clarity and bright days continue to make the fish wary. A more stealthy approach, and a deep presentation, can make all the difference.
In this time of weeds, and dinks, Spey casting and skating a dry fly might be the answer. A Spey cast followed by a skated dry fly avoids the weeds, and the stated fly is often missed by smaller fish. Regardless of the outcome, skating dry flies over eager trout is fun, and when a big one takes you will know it. 
We have a good selection of waders to help you get through the cooler fall season in comfort, and style, and dry.
The Eastern Slope rivers and streams are low, and very clear, with Caddis, Trico's and BWO's continuing to hatch regularly. Grasshoppers are having their last gasp, and the low clear water has made for some spooky fish. Nymphing continues to be the most productive technique, but fish are still coming up for the dry fly. Ants and beetles are a great choice when there is no visible hatch.
The cooler evenings and shorter days have increased the pike activity. Actively cruising fish are looking to eat everything they can before winter. Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.
John Gierach is one of fly fishing's greatest authors past, or present. His views, and attitudes, had a positive effect on a couple of generations of Fly Anglers.
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
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.
Tyers will need to bring their vice, tools, thread, and glue, but non-tyers are very welcome too! 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.
Ooohhh, shiny! Feathers to give your flies the desired shimmer and sheen.
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 for cooler temperatures with possible early week showers and cloudiness. The trout have continued to be skittish, so hopefully, the cooler weather, cloudiness, and shorter days will finally bring on the bite.
As always, wade with caution, and use your common sense. The rocks are slippery, and no one wants to take a dip with these cooler temperatures.
Get out there while there is still time! Winter will be here before you know it, and then you can retire to your couch and dream of spring.
