It looks like the nice weather is back, at least for the foreseeable future. Get out there and give it a try! You can't catch them from the couch. Be careful on ice shelves, consider what is underneath you. Shelves over pools and deeper water are sketchy at this time. Watch for floating ice and wade carefully.
As you would expect, nymphing will still be your best bet for catching fish. Fish pools, and deep runs, slow and deep targeting deep pools and holding waters. Deep walking pace water, or thereabouts, is what you should be looking for. If you are not hitting bottom occasionally, add split shot and maybe some tippet.
Streamer fishing has improved, but still fish deep and slow. A couple of leeches tumbled through pools and deep runs on a dry line with a 9 foot leader has been working pretty well. Always let the flies finish out their drift and and give a few short strips to entice any followers before recasting.
Trout spey is a two-handed fly casting technique that generally enables the fisher to cast a greater distance than with a single handed rod. Trout spey rods are longer (11ft.+) than single-handed rods (9 ft.) and use casts that do not require back casting. Swinging flies is a great way to cover a great deal of water.
Hatches of Blue Winged Olives and midges should resume now that the weather is warming. Keep an eye on back eddies and the soft edges of pool heads for snouts. The rises will be very subtle, so you have to watch carefully.
We encourage everyone to pinch their barbs. Pinching your barbs will help ensure that releasing the fish is easier on you and the fish.
- Minimize air exposure
- Eliminate contact with dry surfaces
- Reduce handling time
What are you going to do when your lose all your favorites? Some more fly tying materials might be in order.
The Fish Tales Level 1 Fly Fishing Course is a great introduction to fly fishing.
This one day session spent half in a classroom environment, learning about equipment, knots, river structure, insect life and more, before students head outside for a dry-land casting session.
Cost is $150 and lasts a full day, lunch included. Register in-store, by phone, or on-line.
Course dates and availability. First class is Sunday May 5.
Check out what else is available on our courses page.
Bow River Flies to try:
Dries: With the improved weather maybe give midges or blue winged olives a try. Midges to try are: Doug's Gnatty Boy, Griffith's Gnat, Parachute Midges, and Zebra Midges BWO patterns like Double Vision BWO's, or Foam Emerger BWO Biot are worth a try.
Streamers: Small leech patterns like an Aaron's Leech, Tungsten Peacock Leech, and black, brown or olive Woolly Buggers. Bow River Bugger, Clouser Minnow, or Flesh Eating Sculpin.
Nymphs: Will's Chai T, Kaleidoscope, TJ Hooker, Tungsten Prince, Copper John's, Zebra Midge's (Red, Olive or Black),Tung Brassie Copper and your favorite San Juan Worm variation.
Trout Spey: Mini Me Graboid (all colours), Jerry's WMD Sculpin Brown, and RIO's Pocket Rocket (all colours).
Good weather is here, so get out there. Tight lines!
FTFS