Bow River Fishing Report
Week of May 19, 2026
By Dan King · Lead Guide, King Trout OutfittersBow River fishing conditions for the week of May 19, 2026 are good. Flow is 105 cubic meters per second and rising. Water temperature is 8°C. No angling restrictions are in effect. Active hatches include Blue Winged Olive (BWO), Caddis, Midges/Chironomids, Stonefly (early).
Do You Need a Boat to Fish the Bow River?
You can wade the Bow in spots, but most of the best water sits along banks and seams you can only reach by drift boat. That is why guided trips here run from a boat. It covers miles of productive water in a day and keeps you safer when flows are up, like the 105 cms running this week.
What Are Conditions Like on the Bow River This Week?
Good week on the water. Fished the city section Monday through Wednesday and the midges were relentless in the morning. Tiny little size 20 Zebra Midges on a dead drift through the riffles, and the fish could not say no. By early afternoon the BWOs started coming off and I switched a couple clients over to dry flies. Nothing like watching a 19-inch rainbow sip a size 16 sparkle dun off the surface. That right there is why I do this. Water is starting to come up from runoff but we're still in good shape at 105 cms. Not gin clear below Bearspaw, but 3-4 feet of visibility is plenty. The fish don't care. They're feeding. I had a first-timer on Tuesday land 8 fish before lunch, including a 20-inch brown that ate a San Juan Worm right off the bank. If you're planning to come out this week, bring warm layers for the morning. It's still dropping to 3-4°C at dawn and the bite doesn't really turn on until the water warms up around 10am. Don't sleep on the streamer game early though. Olive Woolly Buggers stripped slow along the banks have been money. The fishing only gets better from here through June.
What Do Trout Eat in the Bow River?
Bow River trout do most of their feeding underwater, on mayfly and stonefly nymphs, caddis, leeches, and aquatic worms. Through summer they also look up for caddis and terrestrials like hoppers. This week they are keyed on Blue Winged Olive (BWO), Caddis, Midges/Chironomids, Stonefly (early), which is why the patterns below are producing.
What Hatches Are Active on the Bow River?
| Insect | Hook Size | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive (BWO) | #16-18 | moderate |
| Caddis | #14-16 | light |
| Midges/Chironomids | #18-22 | heavy |
| Stonefly (early) | #8-10 | light |
What Flies Are Working This Week?
No restrictions this week. Fish from dawn to dusk. The best window is mid-morning through late afternoon when the hatches are active and the water has warmed a few degrees.
Where Should You Fish the Bow River This Week?
Upper Bow
Above Bearspaw DamThe upper Bow above Bearspaw is fishing well right now. Water is clearer up here than the city section, maybe 5-6 feet of visibility, and the BWO hatch is more consistent in the afternoons. I'm nymphing Pheasant Tails and Perdigons in the seams and picking up fish steadily through the morning. The trout are holding in their typical spring spots: soft water behind boulders, the inside edges of bends, and the deeper slots where the current slows down. Not a lot of dry fly action yet but when the BWOs come off around 2pm you can pick up a few on top with a size 16 sparkle dun. Wading is doable but the drift boat gives you way more water. If you want the prettiest scenery and the clearest water, fish up here. If you want numbers, fish the city section.
City Section
Bearspaw to CarselandCity section from Bearspaw down to Carseland is the sweet spot right now. This is where I've been spending most of my time this week. Flow is manageable at 105 cms and the fish are stacking up in the softer water behind boulders, along the grassy banks, and in the transition zones between riffles and pools. Midges are the deal in the morning. Size 18-20 Zebra Midges under an indicator, dead drifted through the riffles. The fish are eating them confidently. By early afternoon the BWOs start coming off and things shift. I had clients catching fish on top from about 1pm to 4pm on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Policeman's Flats stretch fished especially well. One thing to watch: the water has a slight stain from early runoff so go one size heavier on your tippet. The fish can't see as well and they're not leader-shy right now.
Lower Bow
South of CalgaryLower Bow south of Calgary is coming alive. This section fishes differently in spring because the water is typically a touch warmer down here, which gets the fish moving sooner. Streamers are producing in the deeper runs, especially first thing in the morning before the sun hits the water. Olive Woolly Buggers and black Sculpzillas stripped slow along the banks have been the ticket. Once the sun gets up, switch to nymphs. San Juan Worms and egg patterns are still working well this time of year. The water has a touch of color from early runoff but 3-4 feet of visibility is plenty for nymphing. I wouldn't bother with dry flies down here yet. The hatch activity is lighter than the city section and the fish are still keyed in on subsurface food. Give it another two weeks and the lower will be firing on all cylinders.
What to Bring This Week
Clothing
- ✓Layers (mornings are cold, afternoons warm up)
- ✓Rain shell (mountain weather shifts fast)
- ✓Polarized sunglasses
- ✓Hat and sunscreen
Included in Your Trip
- ★Fly rod, reel, and line
- ★Waders and boots (all sizes)
- ★All flies and leaders
- ★Drift boat and guide
Sources & Data
King Trout Gear
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Book a Guided Bow River Fishing Trip
Conditions are good. Half day from $525, all gear included. Book a guided trip and let Dan put you on the fish.