Quick Report September 11, 2026

Water Levels

Bow River Flies

Dries

Streamers

Nymphs

Flies for Other Places

Tips for the Bow

• The Bow has dropped significantly in the last week. We're now sitting at around 65 cubic metres per second in Calgary, which is less than average for this time of year.
• Rainstorms continue in the Calgary area but haven't been moving the needle in terms of flows. Weather is cool, mornings on the boat are chilly. It's time to bust out the warm layers, toques, and gloves, until the afternoon sun does its thing. Don't get caught out on your float trip without a rain jacket (You listening, Cam?).
• Blue Wing Olives are hatching strong on the Bow and anglers have reported success fishing size 18-20 Klinkhamer & parachute style dries. BWOs will be a staple from now on until the "end" of the season (fishing season never truly ends on the Bow!)
• Waterboatmen are now active as well. Try fishing one 3-4' behind a streamer on stout tippet (1X-2X). Swinging Boatmen on a trout spey rig is especially effective, as the naturals are excellent swimmers and can move fast in the current. Let your fly swing all the way downstream of you before making another cast. Often, strikes will happen at the "hang". You can also strip them like a streamer through deeper pools on a sink tip.
• It's time to size down your streamers, as fish have been pressured all season, & water levels are low, & visibility is clear. Try small articulated patterns, or a tandem rig with single hook flies - flashy in the front, plain Jane unweighted leech in the back.
• Fall streamer colors - Brown, copper, tan, yellow, olive. 
• Don't go too heavy with your sink tip line or you'll spend the day rowing upstream to unhook streamers. Think S3, Intermediate, or a full floater.
• Fish are still eating caddis patterns, but this will start to taper off. 
• Bonus Hatch: Salmonflies have been observed hatching on the Bow this week. It's not well known, but some years we do see a very late stonefly hatch. 
• Save your hopper fishing for sunny afternoons unless you are using it primarily as an indicator with a dropper. Low overnight temps will have the hoppers sleeping in. BWO's will be your best bet for dry fly fishing on the cool & overcast days. 

Tips for Other Places

• Cutties are starting to show interest in large October caddis patterns. In fact, it was the only bug they would look at on Monday. Keep an eye out for those big clumsy fliers.
• Small hoppers, beetles, and the humble yet mighty ant are still productive in the Foothills. 
  
• Bulls are still spawning in headwaters and are scarce in mainstems.
  
• You don't have to show up at the crack of dawn anymore. Cool temperatures will hamper hatches and reduce fish activity. It's ok to start fishing a bit later, make the most of those afternoons. 
• Bring some small midge & BWO patterns if you do wish to fish dries in the mornings (or just fish the ant all day). 
  

Bottom Line

We're moving rapidly into true Fall fishing conditions on the Bow. Water levels & temperatures contiunue to drop. BWO's are hot this week, hopper fishing less so, but it's not over yet. Waterboatmen should be on your radar. Warm weather is forecasted for the end of the coming week, but you'll want to bundle up for fishing this weekend. 

Please report any suspected poaching activities. It is illegal to harvest fish from the Bow river. Alberta Report A Poacher : 1-800-642-3800

N-Ra watching for sippers in the logjam.

Mumby's size 6 Elk Hair was the only fly the firebellies wanted that day. He donated it to a young fly angler having a tough day before we hiked out. 

An icy cloud hanging over the lake all day kept the crowds away.

Sometimes you gotta tie up a real wildcard.