It seems that the nice weather is supposed to hold until early next week. So get out there! A hook removal tool will enable you to release your fish without getting your hands wet. Easier on the fish and might even keep you on the river a bit longer.
Nymphing will be your best bet at catching fish. Fish pools slow and deep, casting upstream as much as, reasonably, possible to increase the length of your drift. This is the time to be targeting deep pools and walking pace water.
Streamer fishing has been picking up. Still fish deep and slow. A heavy sink tip swung, or stripped through pools and deep runs has been working fairly well. Let the flies finish out their drift and and give a few short strips to entice any followers before recasting.
Trout spey has become quite popular in the past few years. Spey casting enables you to cover a great deal of water on the quest for willing fish.
Hatches of Blue Winged Olives and midges continue to occur. Keep an eye on back eddies and soft edges of pool heads for snouts. They will be sipping, so you have to watch carefully.
As usual, we encourage everyone to pinch their barbs. Pinched 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
Tying your favorites for spring? More fly tying materials might be in order.
Join Fish Tales' Will Spokes on Wednesday March 6th, 2024 for a session focused on fishing the Bow River from shore. Will is a keen angler who's honed his skills on the banks of the Bow.
Session starts at 7 p.m. and lasts 1-2 hours.
This is part of our After Hours Presentation series. These presentations are free BUT please register by adding to cart and completing details in checkout so we can determine numbers.
Check out what else is available on our courses page.
Bow River Flies to try:
Dries: If you are not willing to give up the dry fly then maybe give midges or blue winged olives a try. Midges to try are: 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 have been effective. Try fishing a leech 18-24 inches behind a 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 any San Juan Worm pattern.
Trout Spey: Mini Me Graboid (all colours), Jerry's WMD Sculpin Brown, and RIO's Pocket Rocket (all colours).
Get out there. Tight lines!
FTFS