Drier weather is around for the weekend, so get out there! Cloud cover and rain will dominate during the week. Hatches of midges and blue winged olives will continue, so watch for snouts and be prepared to go small.
Continue to focus your nymphing on deeper pools and runs. Fish as slowly, and as deeply, as possible. Walking pace water is ideal. Small nymphs have been working well, so have the old standards. Worms and leeches are in the river year round.
Streamer fishing continues to improve. Deep and slow will still be effective, but the fish are now moving and starting to eat in faster water.
Trout spey has been quite effective for picking up trout. Swinging wet flies through riffles and runs is good fun. Prepare for steelhead season, or just learn some cool casts to increase your arsenal.
As usual, please pinch your barbs. Pinching your barbs will usually make releasing fish is easier on both you and the fish. 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
If you are carrying a net it is a good idea to attach it to you. A magnetic net release is a great option.
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 afternoon half of the class will be spent covering the basics of casting in a dry land setting.
This full day course costs $150, lunch included. Register in-store, by phone, or on-line.
The first three sessions, May 5, 11, 25 and June 2 are full. The next available date is Sunday June 9. Click here for further course dates and availability.
Bow River Flies to try:
Dries: Midges - Doug's Gnatty Boy, Griffith's Gnat, Parachute Midges, and Zebra Midges. BWO - Double Vision BWO's, or Foam Emerger BWO Biot are worth a try.
Streamers: Tungsten CH Sparkle Yummy, Karnopp's Space Invader, Tungsten Found Ya Bugger, Bow River Bugger, or Clouser Minnow. Leeches: Aaron's Leech, Tungsten Peacock Leech, and black, brown or olive Woolly Buggers.
Nymphs: Jimmy Legs, TJ Hooker, Rubber Legged Squirrel, Wire Worm, Atomic Worm, Will's Chai T, Kaleidoscope, Tungsten Prince, Copper John's, Zebra Midge's (Red, Olive or Black) Emerger Patterns - Tungsten Soft Hackle BWO, Foam Emerger BWO and Trina's Bubbleback Emerger PMD.
Trout Spey: Aqua Stu's Ostrich Intruder, Jerry's WMD Sculpin, Mini Me Graboid, Mike's Mini Sculpin Black, and AF Mattoli's Spey Bugger.
Our next After Hours Presentation, Pike on the Fly with Jean Ducharme, on Monday, May 9, 2024 in-store, at 7 PM. Learn all about fly fishing for Pike.
Also this week, Lake Fishing with Kelly Zamiski on Wednesday, May 8, 2024 - 7 p.m. at the shop.
FYI:
As per the Alberta River Basins web application
Bow River Level at Calgary - WSC
| Date | Level (m) | Flow (m³/s) |
| 2024-04-05 12:00:00 | 0.870 | 45.70 |
| 2024-04-12 12:00:00 | 0.762 | 34.60 |
| 2024-04-19 12:00:00 | 0.895 | 48.50 |
| 2024-04-26 12:00:00 | 0.957 | 56.90 |
| 2024-05-03 12:00:00 | 1.045 | 67.80 |
Things are getting very active on the river. Get out there!
Tight lines!
FTFS