Water levels are down and clarity is pretty good right now. Run off is holding off, for now, due to the cooler weather in the mountains. The rainbows are back to the river and looking to put on some weight after the spawn. Calm winds and sunshine will bring the possibility of dry fly eats on the caddis. Things are happening out there. Fishing has been very good, with some exceptions due to water fluctuation.
Flies from left to right (groups of two): Streamers - Rust Clousabou, Flesh Eating Sculpin - Stone Fly Nymphs - Jimmy Legs, Rubber Legged Squirrel - Caddis Dry Flies - Galloup's Double Stack Caddis, Neversink Caddis
Dry fly fishing has turned up a notch, the caddis are coming off and the fish are rising. When the sun is shining and the wind is down great things can happened. Especially watch for the evening caddis hatch, which is often the most prolific, and hope for low wind and sunny evenings.
Continue to focus your nymphing on deeper walking pace water and current seams. Stonefly nymphs have been working particularly well. Try and get your flies "ticking" off of the bottom. You should feel slight twitches in your line, and get hung up occasionally on the bottom, or you probably are not getting deep enough. Add split shot and/or lengthen leader.
Streamer fishing has picked up. Fish have started to chase the streamer a bit more. When fishing with a trailing leech, the majority have been caught on the leech, which is often the case.
Trout spey has been producing some large trout on relatively small flies. Swinging wet flies through runs and riffles has produced some very exciting takes.
Wading pants can be a great direction to go if you are sick of putting on a full set of waders, and/or don't ever wade past your crotch. Easy to put on, and comfortable to wear, pant waders are a nice option.
Please pinch your barbs. Pinching your barbs will usually make releasing fish a lot easier. A net, and/or catch and release tool, can also help with this process.
- Minimize air exposure
- Eliminate contact with dry surfaces
- Reduce handling time
Father's Day is just around the corner. Hand painted mugs by Fish Tale's own Courtney Neal are always a practical and unique gift idea.
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, tying knots, how to decipher river structure, insect life life cycles and more. The second half of the day will be spent covering the basics of casting in a dry land setting, with the goal of being 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.
Dates are filling up quickly. There is one spot left for June 15. The next available date is July 20. Click here for further course dates and availability.
Socks that your Dad might even want. We have lots of options for the fishing dad. And for the dad that has "everything", there is always a gift card, because no one really has everything.
Bow River Flies to try:
Dries: Swisher's Dancing Caddis, Peacock Caddis, Purple Haze, Galloup's Double Stack Caddis, Neversink Caddis, Double Vision BWO's, Foam Emerger BWO Biot, or Micro Chubby.
Streamers: Veil Leech, Clousabou, Bow River Bugger, Seasoned Geezer, or Flesh Eating Sculpin. Leeches: Aaron's Leech, Tungsten Peacock Leech, and black, brown or olive Woolly Buggers.
Nymphs: 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.
FYI:
As per the Alberta River Basins web application
Bow River Level at Calgary - WSC
While water levels and clarity may change due to run off, or flood mitigation measures, still try to get out there if conditions allow. As always, please wade with caution and watch for floating debris in the river.
Tight lines!
FTFS