Boatmen are all over the place. The river is low and clear. The weather forecast is for cooler temperatures through out the week. Not too cool though. Get out there!

Bow River Flies - Staff Picks - Grace

Left to Right from top to bottom: Para BWO, Slickwater October Caddis, Perdigon, Olive/White Clouser Minnow, Brown Skiddish Smolt, Wagler's Boatman, BWO Killer Olive, Black/Wine Gartside Leech, Tungsten Pheasant Tail

The dry fly fishing has picked up a bit. Lot's of bugs and still the occasional Hopper hanging in there. Hoppers will be most effective as part of a hopper-dropper rig. Fall Caddis are here. Not in great numbers, but the fish are coming up for them occasionally. 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 a great way to catch fish. Concentrate on deep walking pace water when nymphing. However, boatmen can be swung through faster riffles, and/or stripped up soft seams. 

The streamer fishing has been awesome. The fish are still chasing hard. Large streamers can result in some very large fish.

Working runs with a spey rod is a great way to spend your time on the water. Spey casting a small dry, wet, or streamer fly, is a great way to spend an afternoon. Polish your skills before you go Steelheading, or just learn a fun new way of casting flies. 

Eastern Slopes Update: 

The Eastern Slope rivers and streams are still low and clear with Caddis, Trico's and BWOs hatching. Grasshoppers are still having their last gasp. The low clear water can make for some spooky fish.

Dries: Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, Yellow & Orange Stimulators, H&L Variant, Royal Wulff, Callibaeti Parachute Extended Body, KK's Henneberry Hopper, Juicy Hopper

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

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

Good socks are great idea at this time of the year. Lots of options to keep your tootsies warm. 

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:

2025 Calendars. Fly Fishing themed calendars are a nice way to mark the days until fishing. 

Bow River Trout Foundation Fall Fishing Festival 2024 is this Saturday September 28, 8am - 11pm. Enjoy a pleasant day on the water, and then head to the Deerfoot Inn & Casino for an evening of good food and great company. Doors open at 6:00 PM, with an Alberta Prime Rib Dinner served at 7:00 PM. 

Enjoy a Bow River update and a presentation from Amelia and Dave Jensen, and then participate in a silent auction in support of the Bow River Trout Foundation. 

For more information, and ticket options, please see the Bow River Trout Foundation Website.

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.

Gadgets. There is always something for the fisher who has everything.

FYI:

As per the Alberta River Basins web application

Bow River Level at Calgary - WSC

Bow River Level at Banff - WSC

Tight lines!

FTFS