“Calgary's Premier Fly Fishing Guides”
When the bugs hatch, what flies to use, and how to time your trip for the best dry fly action.
Peak emergence by month for every major insect on the Bow. Timing shifts a week or two with the weather, since water temperature is the real trigger.
| Insect | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midges | ● | ● | · | · | · | ● | ● | #18-24 |
| Blue-Winged Olive | ● | ● | · | ● | ● | #18-22 | ||
| Skwala Stonefly | · | ● | #8-12 | |||||
| Golden Stonefly | · | ● | · | #6-10 | ||||
| Caddis | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | · | #14-18 | |
| Pale Morning Dun | ● | ● | ● | #16-18 | ||||
| Trico | ● | ● | ● | #20-24 | ||||
| Terrestrials | ● | ● | ● | #8-16 | ||||
| October Caddis | · | ● | #8-12 |
Guide tipCloudy days make BWOs pop. If it's sunny, the fish will be nymphing.
Guide tipFirst big bug of the year. Fish get excited because they've been eating tiny stuff all winter.
Guide tipJune's signature hatch. Big flies, aggressive takes. Don't be subtle.
Guide tipJuly evenings can be insane. Best time for a beginner to experience dry fly.
Guide tipThe reliable summer mayfly. Find a pod of rising fish and stay put.
Guide tipAugust's saving grace. When hatches get technical, slap a hopper against the bank. Fish slam them.
Guide tipBig orange caddis. Not as prolific as summer, but fish are aggressive. Good searching pattern.
Temperature drives everything. Here is what each range means for the fishing.
| 38–42°F | Fish sluggish. Nymph deep, midges only. |
| 42–48°F | Activity building. BWO and Skwala emerging. |
| 48–55°F | Prime temps. Most hatches active. |
| 55–65°F | Peak activity. All hatches, fish aggressive. |
| 65–68°F | Getting warm. Fish mornings and evenings. |
| 68°F+ | Stress zone. Fish early or not at all. |
A calendar showing when specific insects emerge and what fly patterns to use. Based on years of on-water observation. Helps you match the hatch for better fishing.
Mayflies, caddisflies, stoneflies, and midges. Each has different timing, behavior, and matching patterns. Knowing which is active helps you select the right fly.
Selecting flies that look like the insects currently hatching. When trout key on specific bugs during active hatches, matching size, shape, and color dramatically improves catch rates.
Golden stoneflies in early July and evening caddis hatches June through August are the biggest. The Skwala hatch in May is the most anticipated after winter.
Approximately. Weather shifts timing by days or weeks. Water temperature is the main trigger. A warm spring means earlier hatches. Cold spring delays them.
Look at the water surface for floating insects. Check spider webs near the river for trapped bugs. Watch for rising fish. Or ask your guide.
Time your trip to match peak hatches. We know when and where the fish will be rising. Half day from $525, all gear included.