The warmer weather has started to produce some good fishing. The forecast of cooler, snowy weather this week will slow things down a bit, but things should heat up again when the warm weather resumes. Nymphing will continue to be your most effective way to consistently catch fish, but the streamer fishing has also produced some very good fish. It seems like everyone is excited for spring. The river is low and clear.
We have print editions of the 2025 Alberta Fishing Regulations. Also available on-line.
Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Matt Chatani
When the warm weather returns there are daily possibilities of Blue Winged Olives and Midges. These opportunities will increase as spring progresses. Keep your eyes open for rising fish in sheltered backwaters and behind deflections at the heads of pools.
Nymphing with worm, Stonefly, and leech imitations will be your best bet at this time of the year. As deep and slow as you can go targeting walking pace water, or slightly less. Concentrate on working the water carefully and getting the fly, or flies, down as deep as possible.
The streamer fishing has picked up with some very nice fish being caught. The cool weather and river fluctuations that are about to occur may slow things down for a bit, but action should resume once water levels and weather stabilize.
Using a trout spey to cast small streamers and wet flies is a great way to cover lots of water searching for willing trout in the spring time. Swinging flies through runs and riffles is a great way to spend an afternoon.
A one day session where students will spend the morning in a classroom environment, learning about equipment, lines, knot tying, etc. Then, after the included lunch, the students will head outside for a dry-land casting session.
Classes starting May 4, 2025. Click here for Course Dates and Register Online
Too many flies? Yeah, right. Like there is such a thing. We have Fly Boxes.
Keep fish wet and pinch your barbs. Try to keep fish in the water as much as possible. Pinching your barbs will make releasing the fish a lot easier. A good set of plyers, forceps, or mitten clamps can also make the task easier on both of you.
We ask that you handle your fish with care by:
- Pinching your barbs
- Keeping fish wet
- Eliminating the fishes contact with dry surfaces
- Reducing handling time
Backroad Maps for all of your outdoor adventures.
Dries: Steve's Para Sipper BWO, Griffth's Gnat, Doug's Gnatty Boy, Aylward's Pop Top Spinner, Hi Vis Parachute BWO, Double Vision BWO,
Streamers: Bow River Bugger, Hi Res Bugger, Tungsten Found Ya Bugger, Slum Lord Jig, FM Olive Sculpin,
Nymphs: San Juan Worm imitations, Jimmy Legs, Rubber Legged Squirrel, Will's Chai T, Kaleidoscope, Tungsten Prince, BWO Killer Jig, Bead Head Prince, Lightning Bug Purple.
Trout Spey: Rio's Pocket Rocket, Aqua Stu's Ostrich Intruder, Jerry's WMD Sculpin, AF Mattoli's Spey Bugger.
Now is a great time to stock up on new leaders and tippet for the coming season.
FYI - As per the Government of Alberta:
Mountain Snowpack |
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Snow accumulations in the mountains as of February 1 are near normal values for this time of the year with the exception of the headwaters of the Waterton and St. Mary River basins, which have below-normal accumulations. The mountain snowpack is an important source of water supply to reservoirs in the province. Typically the accumulation of snow at this time of the year accounts for nearly two-thirds of the seasonal total. Bow River Basin Thirteen snow course measurements were made at the end of January in the Bow River basin with values ranging from 81 to 127% of average (Table 3). Ten of the thirteen sites are located above 6000 feet and all indicate average to above-average snow accumulations. The three sites located below 6000 feet (Bow River, Chateau Lawn and Pipestone Upper) indicate below-average accumulations. A snow storm at the end of January provided significant snowfall in the mountains, particularly in the Kananaskis and Highwood River headwaters. As of February 1, eleven of the thirteen snow course sites recorded snow water equivalents higher than last year's seasonal total. |
In Closing:
Weather forecast is for snow and colder temperatures though most of next week. A return to milder weather should produce more consistent fishing, after any river fluctuations and discoloration caused by snow melt.
Wade carefully. Be careful on ice shelves, and any other locations that may put you in possible danger. Use common sense.
Spring is here! Get out when/if you can.
Tight lines!
FTFS