The river has remained high, but steady for the past couple of days. The colour has started to change from brown to green, especially above the Highwood. The Highwood has cleared somewhat, but continues to effect the levels and colour of the Bow downstream. Things should continue to clear up through the weekend, barring anything unforeseen happening. The hot weather forecast for next week may bring down the remainder of the snow from the mountains. Get out there when conditions allow. Lot's of debris in the river right now, so watch for it! 

 

Golden Stone Foam (left to right from top to bottom): Chubby Chernobyl, Pavlovich's Yellowstoner Chubby, Double Stack Chubby, Jake's Trigger Belly, KB's Sleezy Rider.

The caddis are here! Golden Stone dry flies are around the corner. Early morning's and big dries will be the ticket pretty soon. The occasional Golden Stone adult have been spotted and the nymphs have been working great.

The sun should start to shine with some consistency, some day. A little sun protection can go a long way. Gloves, or a sun gaiter, can protect your more exposed parts from the sun's damaging rays.

Slow and deep water in pools and current seams to be targeted for nymphing. Larger nymphs, stone flies, worms, and leeches, are a good bet in the higher water. A larger profile is easier for the fish to see in the lower visibility. Fish as deep as you can. If you are not hanging up, or ticking off of the bottom, adding more tippet and/or more weight. Fish carefully, and work the water thoroughly. 

Streamer fishing has been very good. Fish have moved in tight to the banks with the steadier high water. If the flows level out for an extended time the fish should settle back into their more typical lies.

Trout spey has been working well. Swinging larger dark coloured spey flies through runs and riffles has been producing some good fish. A heavier sink tip is still recommended help to take your flies down in the higher water.

Eastern Slopes Update: 

Time to get those Eastern Slope fly boxes in order.

As strange as it may seem, Hoppers have been heard, and spotted, on the Eastern Slopes.

Most eastern slope streams are high and, not necessarily, clear. Fishing has been good during periods of consistent flows, but things change rapidly from day to day. Be prepared to temper your expectations. Get out if conditions allow. 

Dries: Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Yellow & Orange Stimulators, H&L Variant, Parachute PMD & Western Green Drakes

Nymphs: Traditional Prince, Pheasant Tail and Hare's Ear Nymphs, Smethurst's Stone Bomb,

Please pinch your barbs. Pinching your barbs will make releasing the fish a lot easier for you, and the fish. Often a net and/or hook release tool can make the task easier.

We ask that you handle your fish with care by:

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. 

Locally Tied Flies (top to bottom): Courtney Neal's Pike Bunnies - Chartreuse, Red/Yellow, Barred Chartreuse, Black/Chartreuse

Bow River Flies to try: 

Dries: Swisher's Dancing Caddis, Peacock Caddis, Purple Haze, Galloup's Double Stack Caddis, Neversink Caddis, Yellow Rubber Legged Stimulator, RIO's Skater Tot, Chubby Chernobyl, or Micro Chubby.

Streamers: Veil Leech, Clousabou, Bow River Bugger, Sparkle Minnow, or Flesh Eating Sculpin. Leeches: Aaron's Leech, Tungsten Peacock Leech, and black, brown or olive Woolly Buggers.

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.

Lot's of sun shirts, in ton's of styles. One day it will be hot and you will wish you had one. I promise, one day it will be hot.

 FYI:

As per the Alberta River Basins web application

Bow River Level at Calgary - WSC

Bow River Level at Banff - WSC

Things have slowed down in Banff. The river levels have dropped there, which should stabilize the river down stream, but higher flows may be restarted by the predicted hot weather. Try to get out whenever conditions allow, and please continue to wade with caution and watch for floating debris in the river.

Tight lines!

FTFS