Hoppers are on! Gusty winds and sunshine have created a hopper bonanza, and canyon sections and high banks are just the ticket. The water is still declining, but the weather forecast is for cooling, which should keep water temperature down, with help from our cooler evenings. Get out when you can. The time is now!
Staff Picks - Jonah
Flies from top to bottom: RIO's Morrish Hopper, Elk Hair Caddis, Double Stack Chubby, Caddis Emerger, Jimmy Legs, Will's Chai Tea, Coffey's Sculpin CH Sparkle Minnow, Galloup's CH Barely Legal, Coffey's Olive CH Sparkle Minnow
Caddis are still coming off in good numbers in the evenings, but could be hatching at almost any time of the day. Most of the consistent risers will be feeding on some stage of caddis. The Golden Stoneflies are still happening mornings and evenings, along with a mid-day hatch, or two, of large PMD's. Hoppers are also in play, with much more to come.
With water temperature's on the rise a good thermometer can help you decide if/and when to continue/quit fishing.
Nymphing continues to be the most consistent way to catch trout on the Bow. Stonefly nymphs, caddis imitations, and attractor patterns have all been working well. Hopper dropper rigs are working great. A stonefly nymph, or a leech, tied underneath a large foam indicator fly, is a great way to effectively cover water. You will probably get the occasional dry fly strike.
Streamer fishing is kind of awesome right now. The fish have moved back into their more typical lies, and are settling in, and defending their territories. This makes for some pretty violent strikes.
Trout spey continues to produce some good fish and super exciting strikes. Skating dries allows you to avoid most of the weeds that are running rampant right now. Spey casting is a great way to keep your flies out of the grass that seems to have grown higher than normal with our wet spring followed by hot weather. The combination of the two can be a great way to work the water effectively. By using spey casting, and dry flies, you are more able to avoid obstacles in and around the water.
Eastern Slopes Update:
The Eastern Slopes are in great shape. Rivers are clear and fishing well. Things are picking up with cooler evenings in the forecast. Get out if conditions allow. There are tons of bugs around. PMD's and Lime and Yellow Sallies will be most prevalent, but there are still some caddis, drakes, and stoneflies around. Grasshoppers are all over the place. A hopper dropper rig is a great choice for prospecting.
Dries: True Stonefly, Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Yellow & Orange Stimulators, H&L Variant, Parachute PMD & Western Green Drakes, KK's Henneberry Hopper, White Cloud Hopper, Yellow Sallie Micro Frank, Bloom's Para Sally
Nymphs: Traditional Prince, Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear Nymphs, Smethurst's Stone Bomb, San Juan Worms, Will's Chai Tea
Streamers: Pink/White Dali Lama, Black Conrad Sculpin, White Tungsten CH Sparkle Yummy, Galloup's Mini Dungeon, Clouser Minnows
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.
Less handling means less stress.
We ask that you handle your fish with care by:
- Minimize air exposure
- Eliminate contact with dry surfaces
- Reduce handling time
Our Level 1 Fly Fishing Course is a full day introduction to fly fishing. The first half of the day is spent in classroom. Here you will learn the basics about equipment and tying knots. You will also learn how to decipher river structure, predict insect life life cycles, and a lot more. The second half of the day will be outdoors, covering the basics of casting in a dry land setting. Students should be able to cast 30' by the conclusion of the session.
This full day course costs $150, lunch included. Register in-store, by phone, or on-line.
Click here for course dates and availability.
Dries: Swisher's Dancing Caddis, Peacock Caddis, Purple Haze, Galloup's Double Stack Caddis, Yellow Rubber Legged Stimulator, RIO's Skater Tot, Chubby Chernobyl, Micro Chubby, RIO's Moorish Hopper, KK's Henneberry Hopper, White Cloud Hopper, Bjorns Hopper, Juicy Hopper.
Streamers: Veil Leech, Bow River Bugger, Sparkle Minnow, Hi Res Bugger, and Skittish Smolt. Leeches: Tungsten Peacock Leech, Fruit Roll Up, Tungsten Ice Leech.
Nymphs: Worm variations, Jimmy Legs, TJ Hooker, Rubber Legged Squirrel, Will's Chai T, Kaleidoscope, Tungsten Prince, Copper John's, BH Extended Body Caddis Pupa, and Caddis Sparkle Pupa.
Trout Spey: Rio's Pocket Rocket, Aqua Stu's Ostrich Intruder, Jerry's WMD Sculpin, RIO's Artificial Intelligence, and AF Mattoli's Spey Bugger.
Insect Repellent is a pretty good idea right now. With all the good bugs come; Mosquitos, Horse Flies, and ticks. Keep those jerks off of you so you can concentrate that pod of risers at dusk.
FYI:
As per the Alberta River Basins web application
Bow River Level at Calgary - WSC
Bow River Level at Banff - WSC
The river in Banff has leveled out, and Calgary levels will continue to mostly depend on the water management upstream. Get out there, the time is now! Enjoy the nice weather.
Tight lines!
FTFS