It seems that the cold weather is back until the end of the week, so if you do get out there, bundle up! Or, more sensibly, take a break until weather changes.
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 holding waters. 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 will pause during the cold weather, but when the warm weather returns they should resume. Then you should keep an eye on back eddies and soft edges of pool heads for snouts. They will be sipping if they are rising, so you have to watch carefully.
We encourage everyone to pinch their barbs. Pinching your barbs will help ensure that releasing the fish is easier on you and the fish.
Mitten clamps are a good option for these cold days. Easy to operate wearing gloves or mittens.
- Minimize air exposure
- Eliminate contact with dry surfaces
- Reduce handling time
Tying up your favorites to lose all summer? More fly tying materials might be necessary.
Just starting out? The Fish Tales Level 1 Fly Fishing Course is an ideal introduction to fly fishing.
During this one day session students spend the morning in a classroom environment learning about equipment, lines, knot tying, river structure, insect life and more. After lunch students will head outside for a dry-land casting session.
Cost is $150 for the full day, lunch included. Register in-store, by phone, or on-line.
Course dates and availability. First class is Sunday May 5
Check out what else is available on our courses page.
Bow River Flies to try:
Dries: When the weather improves maybe give midges or blue winged olives a try. Midges to try are: Doug's Gnatty Boy, 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 your favorite San Juan Worm variation.
Trout Spey: Mini Me Graboid (all colours), Jerry's WMD Sculpin Brown, and RIO's Pocket Rocket (all colours).
Maybe take a short break and then get out there. Tight lines!
FTFS