The river is low and very clear. The weather forecast is for slightly cooler temperatures through out the week. Nymphing will be the the most effective way to consistently catch fish. Water levels fluctuated earlier this week due to the snow melt making the fishing a bit erratic. With consistent temperatures things will settle down a bit. Get out there before the cold really sets in.
Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Ben Timmins
Left to Right from top to bottom: Aylward's Pop Top Spinner, Hi Vis Parachute BWO, Double Vision BWO, Stu's Ostrich Metal Detector, Hot Head Wooly Bugger Black & Metallic Red, Hi-Res Bugger Brown/Olive, Will's Chai-T Olive, Bead Head Prince, Lightning Bug Purple.
There continues to be very occasional October Caddis hatches and consistent hatches of Blue Winged Olives and Midges. Keep your eyes open for rising fish.
Nymphing deep walking pace water is the way to go. Deeper is better most definitely better at this time of the year. Boatmen imitations swung through tail outs have proved to be still effective.
With the impending cold we carry a large selection of gloves and mitts.
The streamer fishing has slowed considerably. The fish are still chasing with lot's of short strikes and bumps. Deep presentation of large flies with a slow retrieve has had success, as has swinging smaller streamers through runs.
Spey casting small streamers and wet flies is a great way to cover lots of water in the fall.
Is it time to start tying your own flies? Need to restock? We have a couple of dubbing options.
Level One Fly Tying - Fall 2024/Winter 2025
Our Level 1 sessions are one evening per week for five weeks. Classes start at 7 pm and each session is around 2 hours long. Click here to register, or visit the store to secure your space today.
A good net can make catching and releasing that lunker easier on everyone involved.
Pinch your barbs. Pinching your barbs will make releasing the fish a lot easier. A good set of plyers, forceps, or mitten clamps can make the task easier on both of you.
We continue to ask that you handle your fish with care by:
- Minimize air exposure
- Eliminate contact with dry surfaces
- Reduce handling time
Books by Alberta authors.
Dries: Orange Rubber Legged Stimulator, 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: RIO's Precious Metal, Bow River Bugger, Hi Res Bugger, Skittish Smolt. Leeches: Gabriel Leech, Fruit Roll Up, Tungsten Ice Leech.
Nymphs: Jimmy Legs, Rubber Legged Squirrel, Will's Chai T, Kaleidoscope, Tungsten Prince, BWO Killer Jig, Dee's Boatman, Wagler's Boatman, 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, Brett's Klamath Skater, McGovney's Skater.
Winter fishing suggestions from Ben T.
FYI:
The Alberta River Basins web application is under maintenance until the afternoon of Sunday October 10.
Tight lines!
FTFS