Bow River Fly-Fishing by The Season

We get this question a lot “when is the best time to fish The Bow River. Each part of The Bow River Fly-Fishing or Alberta Fly-Fishing Season has its particular nuances so it sorta depends on what gets you going or what Fly-Fishing Techniques you are into. One of the features of Fly-Fishing The Bow River as a variety of Trout Fishing tactics need to be applied by the Angler in order to be successful. Of course Hiring a competent Bow River Fly-Fishing Guide will help make your trip a memorable one.

The Early Season on The Bow River

Bow River Brown Trout

The Bow River in and below Calgary Alberta is open year round, the fishing does not pick up until April and May when the river warms up. Both months can be good but the weather can always take a turn for the worse. If you are visiting Calgary and are anxious to Fly-Fish The Bow River we usually tentatively book the Guided Bow River Fly-Fishing Trip. If the weather is crappy (snowing and cold) then we don’t go. But if the weather is decent Anglers can be surprised as the Fly-Fishing opportunities can be really good. Early Season Bow River Hatches at that time of year include:
Midges
March Browns
Blue Winged Olives
Skawla Stone Flies
Mother’s Day Caddis (Mid May)

Of course both Nymph and Streamer Fishing can be good and this can be a great time of the year to catch large Bow River Brown Trout.

The Bow River Regular Fly-Fishing Season

A rainbow trout caught while fishing with Dave Brown Outfitters on The Bow River

Bow River Rainbow

The ‘regular’ Fly-Fishing Season on The Bow River starts right after run-off which is generally the last week of June and runs to Mid September. This is peak season on The Bow River and if a trip is being planned we highly suggest booking your Bow River Guided Fly-Fishing Trip in advance. During Late June into July Streamer fishing can be off the charts because the high flows have pushed the trout up onto the banks, plus there is a considerable Golden Stone Fly hatch that gets big fishing looking up. Nymphing, Dry Fly and Streamer fishing all can be excellent. As we head into August Terrestrial fishing picks up and there is some good Trico Fishing to be had.

Peak Season Bow River Hatches

Golden Stone Flies (July )
P.M.D.’s (July )
Caddis (July -August )
Tricos (August )
Nocturnal Stoneflies (August )
Terrestrials (late July -Mid September)
Blue Winged Olives (Sept.)
Waterboatman (Sept.)

The Late Season on The Bow River

Floating The Bow River -Alberta

Once Mid September rolls around the weather cools off , there are fewer people out fishing and Fly-Fishing on The Bow River for the most part remains strong . The trout are still looking for Hoppers and other Terrestrials and have also keyed in on the enormous Back Swimmer Population. A favorite tactic used by experienced Bow River Fly-Fishing Guides is to fish a Backswimmer Imitation underneath a Hopper Pattern. Streamer fishing can also be great as the fish gorge on Baitfish, Leaches and Sculpins. October Caddis also make an appearance during this timeframe and although their numbers are not off the charts the trout that call the Bow River home eat them.