Bow River Fishing Report: Lower Bow Spring Update (April 10, 2026)

Quick update from the water today. I'm on the lower Bow, about 45 minutes south of Calgary. April 10th, roughly 15°C, and the river is sitting at about 4 feet of visibility. Not gin clear, but fishable. And the fish are hungry.

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What's Working Right Now

Mostly streamers and nymphs. That's pretty standard for early April on the Bow. The water still has some color to it so dry flies aren't really in play yet. Fish are sitting deeper and feeding subsurface, which is exactly what you'd expect after a long winter.

Spring Is Tuning Up

This is that window I always talk about. The fish haven't been eating properly for months and now the water is warming up enough that their metabolism kicks back in. They're not picky right now. They're just eating.

If you've been thinking about booking a spring trip, this is the time. April and May are honestly some of the best fishing of the year on the Bow. Less boat traffic, hungry fish, and you don't have to compete with the summer crowds. Check out our best time to fish the Bow River guide for the full seasonal breakdown.

Lower Bow vs Upper Bow in Spring

The lower Bow south of Calgary fishes a bit differently than the upper sections. Water is typically a touch warmer down here, which gets the fish moving sooner. It also tends to have more stained water in early spring compared to the upper stretches near Banff. Both produce, but right now the lower is where the action is.

For more on the differences, check out our lower Bow River fishing and upper Bow River fishing guides.

Book a Spring Trip

Spring fills up faster than people think. We run float trips starting in April and the early season dates tend to go quick. If you've never fished with a guide before, spring is a great time to start since the fish are cooperative and forgiving. Our guided trips include all the gear, flies, and local knowledge you need.