Bow River Fishing Report - July 4, 2025
Jul 04, 2025
Water levels continue to decline, and with it better clarity. Sporadic rain may affect clarity, but only on a temporary basis.
Shucks are being found all over the place, and more adults are being spotted. This should be just the start of what, hopefully, will be strong Golden Stonefly season. There continues to be consistent hatches of caddis and Pale Morning Dun's.
Bow River Flies - Stonefly Edition
Top to Bottom - Left to Right: Dries: Taylor's Hi-Vis Fat Albert Bloody, KB's Sleezy Rider Stonefly, Jake's Trigger Belly, Extra Chubby Chernobyl, Yellow Rubber Legged Stimulator Nymphs: Strolis' Dimmer Stone, Rubber Legged Squirrel, Smethurst's Stone Bomb, Dirty Hipster Stonefly Jig, Goldie Hawn StoneWith improved clarity the trout have started to key in on Stoneflies. Large foam, and hair, imitations have started to produce. Post dusk, and pre dawn, are generally the best times, but surface eats can happened at any point of the day. Caddis and PMD's continue to grow in numbers, and frequency.
Nymphing continues to be a great choice. Faster, rocky, water at heads of pools are a great place to concentrate your efforts after carefully working your way up the pool. Stonefly imitations are working great, but so are leeches and worms.
Streamer fishing has become more consistent, with the lower river levels, and better visibility. Large and dark are still the way to go. Maybe give a trailing leech a try. Get their interest with the point fly and you will often hook them on the trailer. Crime of opportunity. Good fun.
Spey casting is a great way to cover lot's of river during the higher water. Skating flies on the surface is a great way to spend a morning. Large hair, or foam, skating flies and even mice are fun to cast and watch skim across the surface. It's good fun to see all of the fly and fish interaction on the surface.
The Eastern Slopes are now open. Rivers and creeks are still running high, and a bit off colour. Fishing should continue to improve as water levels recede. Lot's of stoneflies with Caddis and PMD's also happening. The occasional Green and Brown Drake have been spotted.
Click here for our Eastern Slopes Opener
Go Packs Smaller packs are a great way to go for light summer wet wading, or just jumping out of the boat. Lot's of options and styles to choose from.
Level 1 Fly Fishing Course
A one day session where students will spend the morning in a classroom environment, learning about equipment, lines, knot tying, etc. Then, after the included lunch, the students will head outside for a dry-land casting session.
Classes are filling up quickly. Click here for Course Dates and to Register Online
John Gierach - Books on the nature of fly fishing, and fly fishers, told through a collection of stories and essays. Gierach's thoughtful perspectives on nature, philosophy, and life are central to his works.
Please try to keep fish wet and remember to 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.
- Pinching your barbs
- Keeping fish wet
- Eliminating unnecessary fish contact with dry surfaces
- Reducing handling time
Dries: KB's Sleezy Rider Stonefly, Jake's Trigger Belly, Extra Chubby Chernobyl, RIO's Skater Tot, Ninch's Iceberg Caddis, Pav's X-Caddis, High Vis Parachute PMD, Klinkhammer PMD, Double Vision PMD, Harrop's CDC Thorax PMD
Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Hi Res Bugger, FM Olive Sculpin, Clouser Minnow, JT's Kreelex Minnow, Budget Dungeon, Strolis' Headbanger Sculpin, Conrad Sculpin
Nymphs: Strolis' Dimmer Stone ,Jimmy Legs, Rubber Legged Squirrel, Will's Chai T, Smethurst's Stone Bomb, Dirty Hipster Stonefly Jig, MFC Lightning Bug Purple, Puparazzi Tungsten Jig Caddis
Trout Spey: Rio's Pocket Rocket, Aqua Stu's Ostrich Intruder, Jerry's WMD Sculpin, AF Mattoli's Spey Bugger, Brett's Klamath Skater, McGovney's Skater,
The forecast this week seems stable, with some possibility of rain. Things on the Bow should continue to improve, barring anything unforeseen happening.
Continue to wade with caution and keep an eye out for floating debris.
Summer is here!! The fishing is good. Get out there whenever you can. The river is calling.
Tight lines!
