The river in the city is clearing from the rain earlier in the week. Visibility is slightly worse below the Highwood River, but is clearing quickly. If you like the dry fly, and who doesn't, now is prime time. Hatches of pretty much everything that can hatch right now. Clouds of Blue Winged Olives, ton's of Caddis, Pale Morning Duns, still lot's of Stone Flies, and so many Hoppers. Bugs everywhere.
Lot's of large feisty rainbows in the river. This fella was able to sneak up on one and almost managed to pick it out of the air.
Staff Picks - Gairen
Flies from top to bottom: Rubberleg Stimulator, Parachute Caddis, RIO's Morrish Hopper, Coffey's Sculpin CH Sparkle Minnow, Galloup's (Olive and White) Dungeons(2), Brown & Orange Werminator, Gabriel Leech, Caddis Emerger
Dry fly. Still lots of caddis around, lots. Huge clouds of BWO's. Still golden stoneflies and many hoppers, with Crane Flies also starting to make an appearance. The prime time for dries is now!
Floatant is a important part of your gear, especially right now. Lot's of effective options.
Nymphing continues to be a great way to catch trout on the Bow. Hopper dropper rigs are a great way to fish riffles and runs. A stonefly nymph, or a leech, tied underneath a large foam , or hair, fly, is a great way to effectively cover water. Stonefly, caddis imitations, and attractor patterns, such as San Juan Worm variations, or Will's Chai Tea.
Streamer fishing is a good way to hook into those big ones. The heads of pools and faster rifflie water should be targeted with the warmer water. Oxygenated water is a great place for trout to hang out during warmer conditions. They may not be actively feeding, but will lash out at a streamer swung, or stripped, through their territory.
Spey casting is a great way to keep your flies out of the grass. By using spey casting, along with dry flies, you should be more able to avoid obstacles in, and around, the water. Skating dry flies is very fun.
All kinds of weights to sink all of your sinkables.
Eastern Slopes Update:
The Eastern Slopes are in very good shape. All rivers are clearing from earlier rains and fishing well. PMD's and Lime and Yellow Sallies are around and still some caddis, drakes, and stoneflies around. Grasshoppers are going bananas. A single hopper, or hopper dropper rig, are great choices for prospecting.
Dries: Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Yellow & Orange Stimulators, H&L Variant, Royal Wulff, Parachute PMD, Double Vision PMD, Callibaeti Parachute Extended Body, KK's Henneberry Hopper, White Cloud Hopper, Yellow Sallie Micro Frank, Bloom's Para Sally
Nymphs: Traditional Prince, Pheasant Tail, & Hare's Ear Nymphs, Rubber Legged Squirrel, 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
A release tool will make releasing a deeply hooked or larger fish much easier. We have effective several options.
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.
There are several good Alberta Stream, and Bow River books. Both Jim McLennan, and Barry White are local fly fishing legends with their own unique style, and view. The Backroad Mapbooks will get you into, and out of, those hidden gems, and trail heads. Heart Water, by Kevin & Brian Van Tighem, chronicles the history, and ecology, of the Bow River from it's source.
Dries: Swisher's Dancing Caddis, Peacock Caddis, Purple Haze, Galloup's Double Stack Caddis, Yellow & Orange Rubber Legged Stimulators, RIO's Skater Tot, Chubby Chernobyl, Micro Chubby, Willy's Ant, RIO's Moorish Hopper, KK's Henneberry Hopper, Fat Frank, Bjorn's Hopper, Juicy Hopper.
Streamers: Veil Leech, Bow River Bugger, Sparkle Minnow, Hi Res Bugger, Skittish Smolt. Leeches: Tungsten Peacock Leech, Fruit Roll Up, Tungsten Ice Leech.
Nymphs: Jimmy Legs, TJ Hooker, Rubber Legged Squirrel, Will's Chai T, Kaleidoscope, Tungsten Prince, Puparazzi, BH Extended Body Caddis Pupa, and Caddis Sparkle Pupa.
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.
FYI:
As per the Alberta River Basins web application
Bow River Level at Calgary - WSC
Bow River Level at Banff - WSC
Rain has caused some water surges in Banff tha has effected Calgary water levels and clarity. Visibility is good upstream of the Highwood, but much worse downstream. The river is clearing quickly though. Get out there when you can and enjoy the nice weather.
Tight lines!
FTFS