After powering through a month of high water, we’re finally seeing the river settle into its usual flow for this time of year. The conditions are looking promising, even if the fishing has become a bit more challenging compared to earlier in the season. Water temperatures are ideal, and when you do hook into a fish, get ready—they’ve been full of fight and energy! That said, convincing them to take anything besides a nymph has been a real test of skill.
Right now, Bow River flows are holding steady at 85–75 cms through the city and around 100 cms south of the city (below the Highwood). The water is crystal clear, but those endless bluebird skies have made things tricky—most trout are seeking cover or slipping into deeper pools and riffles to stay hidden from predators. Still, water temps remain perfect, and when you do connect with a fish, be ready for an exhilarating battle. The action might not be non-stop, but every fish you hook puts up a memorable fight.
Bug hatches may not have been setting the river on fire over the past couple of weeks, but that doesn’t mean the fishing has slowed down—far from it! With caddis, tricos, and grasshoppers now firmly on the menu, the opportunities are there for those willing to adjust and dial in their approach. Think of it less as a challenge and more as a chance to experiment—because when you find the right pattern, the payoff can be big.
Strategies Worth Trying:
- Nymphing: Right now, nymph rigs are leading the charge when it comes to putting fish in the net. A well-chosen caddis pupa or trico nymph fished as your top fly (in that 2–3 foot zone) paired with a stonefly, leech, or San Juan Worm down low has been the winning combo. Keep those rigs running four to six feet deep, paying special attention to riffles and the edges of weed beds—prime real estate where trout have been hanging.
- Streamers: Streamer action has been hit-or-miss, but when it’s on, it’s really on. Double-streamer rigs have been especially deadly, with a flashier front fly followed by a smaller leech in black, olive, or brown. Watch closely as fish have been tracking them out of faster water and committing right as the streamer reaches knee-deep depth—heart-pounding strikes right at your feet. Tailouts have also been productive with a single swung streamer, proving that sometimes less is more.
- Dries:This is the moment many of us have been waiting for—the chance to throw dries now that flows have dropped and summer heat is pushing bug activity. While high water earlier in the season muted some hatches, the fish are starting to look up. Hopper-dropper and hopper-dry rigs have been the best bet, especially when matched with a caddis or trico pattern as the trailing fly. Rising fish aren’t everywhere just yet, but when you put the right bug in the right lane, they’ve shown a willingness to eat—and that’s always worth the cast.
The extended forecast shows stable conditions until at least mid-next week. That means you can plan around the most productive windows—early mornings and post-8 p.m. evenings. Midday may be slower, but patience pays: the trout are still there, waiting for the angler who stays committed. With the river settling into summer rhythm, this is a fantastic time to be out there.
So whether you’re drifting nymphs through riffles, swinging a streamer into a tailout, or watching a hopper disappear in a splashy take, the river is full of opportunity right now. Stick with it—you might just find yourself in the middle of one of those unforgettable days.
