Bow River Fishing Report - September 6, 2026

Cool weather, and rain, are forecast for the long weekend. No surprise there. Changing water levels, and murky water, are the most likely results. Unstable conditions often cause unstable fishing.

Caddis, Pale Morning Duns, Tricos, and Blue Winged Olives are all over place, and in many cases may increase in numbers with the cooler, damp, weather. Grasshoppers should continue to thrive until at least first frost, and continue to work as a fly for several weeks afterwards.

Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Nancy

Left to Right from top: Tungsten BH Sparkle Minnow, Flesh Eating Sculpin, Max's Voodoo Leech, Peacock Caddis, KB's Hop Zone, Bucky's Klinkhammer, Black Prince Jig, TJ Hooker, Collared Pheasant Tail Jig

Bow River Fishing

Early mornings and evenings were the best times to spot rising fish this past week. These windows of opportunity might expand with the coming cooler cloudy weather. Smaller dry flies, including Griffith's Gnat, Stillborn Midge, or Hi-Vis Para Midge are a useful to fool rising fish, especially if you can't see what they are rising on. Splashy rises from small fish will most likely indicate emergers. When fish are rising on emergers the smallest dimple on the water usually means a big fish.

Nymphing is a great way to catch fish on the Bow. There are a ton of nymphs in the river right now, well actually, all the time. Deep walking pace water will be your your target when nymphing, but don't neglect the faster water at the heads, and tails, of pools where fish will often actively feed. Weeds will probably be your biggest obstacle when fishing nymphs.

The weekend rains could be a great thing for the streamer fishing. The higher, and probably off colour, water could make the streamer fishing go off. In the discoloured water larger streamers should present a larger profile, and be easier for the fish to spot, and track. Trailing a smaller fly would not be a terrible idea.

Working runs with a spey rod is a great way to spend your time on the water. Spey casting a small dry, wet, or streamer fly, is a great way to spend an afternoon. Polish your skills before you go Steelheading, or just learn a fun new way to cast flies. 

Fishpond Tailwater and Backwater Fly Tying Kit Bags to carry your fly tying treasures with you when you travel. Don't leave home without them. 

Eastern Slopes

The Eastern Slopes are still in pretty good shape, and fishing well. The rain might cause some fluctuation, in both level, and colour, of the water. There are Caddis, Trico's, and PMD's hatching regularly, and the start of the Blue Winged Olive hatches. The Grasshoppers are on their last legs, and will start to decrease rapidly once the colder temperatures set in. A single hopper is still a great choice, especially on gusty days, which may blow some into rivers, and streams.

 Pike

The cooler weather has helped to keep the fish biting to a certain extent. Weeds have become more of an issue, with most lakes being adversely effected. Top water flies, like mice and frogs, are good fun, and will help to avoid the weeds. The best times for this are nights, and very early mornings. Cloudy, cool days, will also help to improve your odds. Click to learn about tips and tactics for Northern Pike.

Books

Books to inspire, and amuse, children. Often adults too.

Bow River Flies:

Dries: Peacock Caddis, Bloom's Parachute Caddis, Swisher's Dancing Caddis, Skater Tot, Foam Run Caddis, Goddard Caddis, X-Caddis, Chubby Chernobyl, Heifer Hopper, Morrish Hopper, The Chopper Hopper, Lil Pete Copper Hopper, Para-Wulff, Adams Irresistible, Double Vison PMD

Streamers: Jig Slum Lord Mini Leech, Coffey's Sparkle Minnow, Galloup's Mini Bangtail, Complex Twist Bugger, Bow River Bugger, Kreelex Minnow, Articulated Sparkle Yummy, Lynch's Drunk and Disorderly, Zonker Skullhead,

Nymphs: Jimmy Legs, T.J. Hooker, SP Tungsten Bead Mop Fly, Werminator, Wire Worms, Reese's Pieces, Puparazzi Tungsten Jig Caddis, BH Extended Body Caddis Pupa, Tungsten BH Rock Grinder Jig, Tung Red Tie Pheasant Tail Jig

Trout Spey: Soft Hackle Hare's Ear, Tungsten Energizer Squirrel Jig, Jerry's WMD Sculpin Intruder, Stu's Mini Ostrich Intruder, Brett's Klamath Skater, Steel Plow Skating Dry, Hoody's Hanger, Mini Mousey McMouseface

Please pinch your barbs. Pinching your barbs will make releasing the fish a lot easier. A good set of plyers, forceps, or mitten clamps can make the task easier on both of you. Try to keep trout as wet as possible, and minimize the amount of handling.

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

It's getting chilly out. Add some layers for warmth, or something to fight the rain. If it gets you out there, or extends your time on the water, it's worth it.

This weekend's rain may slow things down a little bit, but any river level fluctuations, and/or murkiness, should be short lived, and may not slow fishing down at all. Time will tell. Tuesday and Wednesday are the only days without rain in the forecast. So prepare yourself for a possible rollercoaster ride.

Rob