Happy Father's/Opening Day weekend! Sometimes the stars just align. The Eastern Slope mountain streams open on Sunday, June 16, which is also Father's Day. Two big day's in one for the fisher dad. Get something for dad! Dad's, get out there and do some fishing!
River levels have been rising and runoff, whatever that consists of, could be underway. The river above the Highwood is high with about 2 feet of visibility. Below the Highwood, however, visibility is visibly worse depending on what is coming out of the Highwood.
Opening/Father's Day is the perfect opportunity to get dad something he may, or may not, get for himself.
East Slope Flies (left to right from top): Silverman's Purple Crystal Stimi, Rubber Legged Stimulator, RIO's Skater Tot, Double Vision PMD, H&L Variant, Purple Haze, Neversink Caddis, Adams.
Dry fly fishing has has been off and on. The caddis are coming off, but the fish have been rising sporadically, due to fluctuating river levels, of course the wind. Continue to watch for the evening caddis hatch, and hope for calm sunny evenings and consistent flows.
Try to focus your nymphing on deeper walking pace water and current seams it may be difficult due to high water. Try and get your flies "ticking" off of the bottom, with slight twitches in your indicator, anything happens out of the ordinary. Set the hook! You should get hung up occasionally, or you probably are not getting deep enough, add split shot and/or lengthen leader.
Streamer fishing is good. Larger streamers in black and brown have been producing well, as have leeches. The fish seem to be moving due to the rising water. If the flows level out the fish should settle back into their more usual lies.
Trout spey has been challenging due to the wind, but when it is possible, swinging wet flies through runs and riffles has produced some good fish and exciting takes. Skating flies, though less productive, is extremely fun and produces the occasional spectacular take.
If Dad is going fishing on Opening/Father's Day, maybe he needs a net to land that lunker.
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/Opening Day. Dad's like hats.
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. The next available date is July 20. Click here for further course dates and availability.
We have lots of fly box 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
Bow River Level at Banff - WSC
The cooler weather seems to have held up the run off for the most part. There is still plenty of snow in the mountains and who really knows how it will all come down. Still try to get out there if conditions allow and, please wade with caution and watch for floating debris in the river.
Tight lines!
FTFS