Bow River Fishing Report

The 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 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 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.