Hoppers are done.
Large hatches of Blue Winged Olives are occurring. Keep an eye out for snouts.
Water clarity is excellent right now. Weeds have started to break off and float freely.
Streamer fishing has been pretty sweet. Give trailing a leech, or water boatman, 18-24 inches behind a larger point fly a try. A leech trailing a boatman pattern fished on a dry line has proved effective. Throw or swing into soft water and strip back quickly and erratically. A 9' 2X leader to 18" of 3X tippet is a good sturdy setup.
Nymphing may be your best bet at catching fish. Any San Juan Worm variation should be effective, as will Small Prince Nymphs or Hare's Ear. Try fishing two flies, tied to the tag ends of either a double surgeons or blood knot, followed by split shot on a smaller tippet size. Hard to cast but very effective to fish.
Mountain Streams are low but clear with hatches of BWO's and Fall Caddis. Get out there while you still can.
We encourage everyone to pinch their barbs. Pinching your barbs will help ensure that releasing fish is easier on you and the fish.
- Minimize air exposure
- Eliminate contact with dry surfaces
- Reduce handling time.
Almost time to start thinking about tying some flies, or better yet tying some. A new vice, or some fly tying materials may be in order. Also, check out the courses available this fall, including Craig's five evening course on Lake Fly Tying and Fishing Tactics and Gideon's one night Game Changer tying class on our courses page.
Bow River Flies to try:
Dries: If you are not willing to give up the dry fly then maybe give Fall Caddis imitations like CDC Elk Hair Caddis in Orange and Goddard Caddis a try. BWO patterns like Para-Sipper, Double Vision BWO's. Parachute Purple Haze and Para Caddis are still great options for smaller dries. Terrestrials, ants and beetles are coming to an end, but Arrick's Para Ant and Jake's Gulp Beetle are worth a try. Attractor patterns may still work, Skid Bitch, and Orange Chernobyl Ants are both worth a try.
Streamers: Small leech patterns like an Aaron's Leech, Woolly Grubbers, and black brown or olive Woolly Buggers have been extremely effective. Kreelex Minnows, Bow River Buggers (both Conehead and OG), Clouser Minnows, and Flesh Eating Sculpin are also good streamer choices.
Nymphs: Will's Chai T, Kaleidoscope, TJ Hooker, Aaron's BT Rubber Leg, Tungsten Prince, Copper John's, Red Wire Worms, and Wagler Boatman.
Winter is here. Don't give up. There still will be some chances to get out. Tight lines!
FTFS