Boatmen and Backswimmers are all over the place. The river is low and very clear. The weather forecast is for warming over the weekend followed by cooler temperatures later in the week. Nymphing seems to be the ticket right now. Still lot's of time to get out there!

Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Allard

Left to Right from top to bottom: Reeses Pieces, Tungsten Prince, Double Vision BWO, BWO Killer Olive, Wooly Bugger, Sparkle Caddis, Will's Chai-T Olive, White Skiddish Smolt, Bow River Bugger 

The dry fly fishing has slowed down. October Caddis hatches and the occasional massive hatch of Blue Winged Olives are occurring most days. Hoppers will be most effective as part of a hopper-dropper rig, but the hopper eats are becoming less frequent.. A floating boatman fly is also an exciting way to entice strikes. Swung, or stripped quickly through slower water a boatman provokes hard strikes.

Nymphing is off the charts! Continue to concentrate on deep walking pace water. However, boatmen can be swung through the faster riffles, and/or stripped up soft seams. 

We carry a large selection of indicators for your nymphing needs.

The streamer fishing has slowed somewhat. The fish are still chasing hard, but with lot's of short strikes and bumps. Large streamers can still result in some very large fish for the persistent angler. Maybe give trailing a boatman a try.

Spey casting a small dry, wet, or streamer fly, is a great way to spend an afternoon. 

Warm hat to take off the chill?

Eastern Slopes Update: 

The Eastern Slope rivers and streams are still low and clear with hatches of  BWOs. Grasshoppers are still being taken occasionally by greedy fish. The low clear water makes the fish extra wary, so tread carefully.

Dries: Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Yellow & Orange Stimulators, H&L Variant, Royal Wulff

Nymphs: Traditional Prince, Pheasant Tail, Hare's Ear Nymphs, San Juan Worm variations, Will's Chai Tea

Streamers: Pink/White Dali Lama, Black Conrad Sculpin, Galloup's Mini Dungeon, Clouser Minnows

A good net can make a big difference when landing the big one.

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 ask that you handle your fish with care by:

Books by the late John Gierach. The original trout bum.

Bow River Flies to try:

Dries: Orange Rubber Legged Stimulators, Chubby Chernobyl, Willy's Ant, RIO's Moorish Hopper, KK's Henneberry Hopper, Juicy Hopper, Para-Sipper BWO, Steve's Para Sipper 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, Puparazzi, BH Extended Body Caddis Pupa, Caddis Sparkle Pupa, Dee's Boatman, Wagler's Boatman.

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.

If you float you really need a boat box. We have a good variety for all of your organizational needs.

FYI:

As per the Alberta River Basins web application

Bow River Level at Calgary - WSC

Bow River Level at Banff - WSC

Tight lines!

FTFS