Quick Report - September 30, 2026

by Nick Berenyi

Water Levels

Bow River Flies

Dries

Extended Body Mayfly, BWO, #20

Palomino Midge

RIO's Sparkle Dun, Baetis

CDC Spinner, Black, #18-20

Mongo Hopper

Streamers

BH Mini Leech

Muddler Minnow

Squirrely Little Bugger

Blanco's Heisenberg, Wyoming Cowboy

Brammer's Pheasant Bugger

Nymphs

BWO Killer

Jeremy's Foam Boatmen, Tan, Small

Tungsten Jig Flamethrower

RIO's May It Be, Baetis

Tungsten Jig Assassin

Flies for Other Places

Adams

RIO's Comparadun

RIO's Para Ant

RIO's CJ

BH Baetis Nymph

Tips for the Bow

Although weather is beginning to cool, especially overnight, insects are still hatching in good numbers. You might see Tricos, BWO's, & October caddis.
Boatmen are becoming a more important part of a trout's diet. So far, most of them seem to be tan colored, and small.
Try fishing one behind a single hook streamer like a bugger or leech. You can use a strong tippet like 2X. You can strip it through backeddies and slow water on your singlehander or swing it through runs on a trout spey rod.
Power hour at dusk. The most consistent rising action will be in the evenings. Try caddis emergers & midges. You can fish a double dry rig to have a fighting chance at seeing your midge. Try to have your tandem rig ready before the
Tricos are still hanging on. Look for sippers on the sides.
Hopper action seems to have slowed, but hoppers are still present on the banks in good numbers. It doesn't hurt to try one, especially on warmer days. You can always run it primarily as an indicator for a nymph.
Fish have been feeding on duns, but try cripples or emergers too.
The bulk of BWO action has been subsurface. Try fishing a small dropper.
October caddis are active in the afternoons. Nymphs can do well on the Bow. A soft collared beadhead nymph on a stout hook would be good under an indicator or swung. Micro intruders & classic swing flies in Octo caddis colors will be fun on the spey rod.

Tips for Other Places

Only one month remains in the Foothills season; ES1 & ES2 streams & rivers will close to angling after October 31st.
Below freezing temps will put a hurt on the dry fly fishing, in the mornings at least. Midges & midge emergers will likely be your best bet until things warm up.
Boatmen are also present in Eastern Slopes waters. Try stripping them in quick bursts.
Give 'er with the terrestrials still. Show them small hoppers & parachute ants.
BWO's & assorted bugs are still hatching, but as frosty nights progress, this will begin to taper.
October caddis are definitely worth trying in the foothills, and cutties are more willing to take the dries than Bow river fish.
Foothills brown trout will be getting ready to spawn in low & crystal clear water. The males are grumpy and all of them are on red alert for threats so move like you're cooking a brisket; low & slow. You'll want longer finer leaders & small flies.

Bottom Line

Bow river flows are dropping back down to the 60s after hanging out around 80 for the last few days. Visibility is great, the water is cold. Although fishing hasn't been lights out, lucky anglers are still finding a few hogs and those who grind it out are getting rewarded. Leave the big streamers at home and focus on the smaller stuff.