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IRON BOW FLY SHOP

Your complete online fly fishing destination.

Family owned and operated we have been in the business for over 35 years, Iron Bow Fly Shop is one of the most trusted names in the fly fishing community. From our full-service retail shop and on-water fly fishing schools to professional guiding and outfitting on the Bow River and surrounding waters, Iron Bow Fly Shop brings an unmatched depth of local knowledge — and a genuine love for the sport. Our schools welcome anglers at every level, whether you're picking up a rod for the first time or chasing a personal best. We're more than a fly shop; we're your connection to world-class fishing in the heart of Alberta.

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FLY TYING Tutorials

Gotcha

Gotcha

By Gianni Silvestri

Originally tied by Jim McVay the first Gotcha with some carpet trimmings from a Nassau taxi cab, and caught a bunch of bonefish on the fly in the following days. Nowadays this is a must have in all saltwater fisherman's fly boxes.

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Klinkhammer

Klinkhammer

By Gianni Silvestri

The perfect pattern to imitate an emerging caddisfly to catch grayling and trout which feed from them as they float in the surface film. This pattern has proven to be an extremely effective fly for imitating an emerging mayfly.

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Hare and Copper

Hare and Copper

By Gianni Silvestri

This fly has caught me many a fish over in New Zealand and since bring it back to Alberta it has continued to do the same! It is a super easy tie with minimal materials so pumping out multiple color variations won't be hard.

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VIEW ALL FLY TYING TUTORIALS

https://ironbowflyshop.ca/blogs/tying

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Fishing Reports

Bow River Report

Bow River Report

September 03, 2026

Fishing on the Bow is still going strong, and now that school and hunting season has started you will see a lot less traffic out there. The fish are still happy to eat on top water, and this overcast in the forecast might give you a little bit of an advantage as well. We are still getting reports of fishing eating Trico’s, BWO’s, small Hoppers, and Ants on top during the daytime, and small Caddis in the evenings. If you are having trouble getting that top water eat, nymphs with a soft hackle or CDC collar have been producing quite nicely. Water Boatman are also going to start hatching very soon so it would also be a great option to throw under a hopper, indicator, or behind a streamer. The Browns are going to start feeding quite aggressively to get ready for the spawn in October, so throwing some big streamers to entice those hungry Browns is also a great idea. Try something really flashy like a Sparkle Minnow or Kreelex Minnow to get their attention, and definitely throw a leech behind those streamers for an extra advantage. Don’t let the forecast scare you from getting out, these clouds should make for some deadly BWO hatches, and the fish tend to let their guard down a bit when its cloudy. Good luck fishing this week folks!

How to attack the river:

Nymphing (Most Productive):

Nymphing is always a great way to fish on those hot days when the fish don't want to rise.
Where to Focus:
  • Deflections and pools close to shore 
  • Seams and inside bends and corners
  • Deep drop offs near rip rap banks
Patterns producing the most right now:
  • Bloom's Tungdart (sizes 14-18)
  • Copper John (size 12-18)
  • San Juan Worms
  • Small leeches
  • Jiggy Baetis (sizes 16-18)
  • Dee's Water Boatman (sizes 14-18)
Both indicator nymphing and Euro nymphing setups are effective. Depth control is critical — don’t hesitate to add weight.

Streamer Fishing:

Streamers can produce fish, especially larger browns, you can even try bottom bouncing a small leech. Try changing your presentation style and speed till you find what's working, some fish are looking for a chase.

Dry Flies

Dry fly eats seem to mostly be happening in the morning and evenings
Best Bet:
  • Juicy Hopper (sizes 8-12)
  • Caddis adults (size 12-16)
  • Hi-Viz BWO (14-18)
  • Hi-Viz Cinnamon Ant (14-18)
It is essential to watch closely for subtle rises during midday, when temperatures typically peak.

Things to remember no matter the fishing technique:

  • Use sink tips or heavily weighted flies
  • Focus on deflcetions and slack water close to shore
Run-off fishing on the Bow River can be technical but rewarding. You have to spend a lot fo time searching for fish, but some real big fish can be close inches from shore.

Safety Considerations:

  • Be Sure of your footing, the Bow is pretty slick this year. Felt soles or studded rubber is definitely recommended 
  • Don't forget to wear sun protection at this time of year, though it may not always be hot you can still burn easily being out all day.

    Weather/Flow Rates, Follow The Link's Below:

    Weather

    Flow 


    Flies:

    • Streamers: Catch's 4x4 Bighorn #2-4, Bow River Bugger #2-6, Rio's Smolt Brown or Olive #4, Dali Lama Black/Olive #2-6, Wooly Bugger #4-10, Bjoirn's Hog Hooker Black #1, Peacock Bugger Brown #6-12, Coyote Clouser #6, Kreelex Black/Purple/Silver #6, Simi Seal Leech Bloody Olive #8-10, Taupe Leech #4-6, Ron's Cone Leech black or Olive #6-8, Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #4-8, 
    • Nymphs: TJ's Hooker Tan/Brown #6-12, Jimi-Legs Olive/Brown #6-12, Copper John Black #12-16, Purple Prince Nymph #10-14, Theo's Bead Head #14-18, TJ's Jig Assassin Natural #12-16, Jiggy Riffle Drifter Olive #14-18, Quasimodo Pheasant Tail #14-18, BH Squirrel Nymph Rubberlegs #8-12, BH Brassie #14-20, Zebra Midge #16-20, Jiggy Lightning Bug Black #16-18, Optic Nerve Pheasant Tail #12-16, Jiggy Ruberleg Prince #14-18, OCD Caddis Tan #14-16
    • Dries: Adult GT Adams #14-18, Hi-Viz BWO #14-16, Elk Hair Caddis #12-16, BWO Thorax #14-18, Pav's Elk Butt #14-18, H&L Variant #12-16, Parachute Adams #14-18, Parachute Trico #14-16

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    Southern Alberta

    Southern Alberta

    September 03, 2026

    The Crowsnest:

    The water levels are right where they ought to be, and the fishing has been pretty good! Most of your surface action is on little Beetles, Ants, or small Grasshoppers patterns fished with a long leader, and as light of tippet as you can go. If they aren’t rising you can always go down and find them with some small BWO nymph imitations like a Anatomical BWO, Theo’s Bead Head, or size 18 Pheasant Tail. And if that doesn’t get them, the Worm, a Balanced Leech, or Dee's Water Boatman should do the trick! The weather this weekend looks grim, but the fish love a nice overcast day and tend to be less spooky when the sun isn't out. Good luck if you head down this weekend!

    The Oldman:

    The water temps are dropping pretty good overnight and the fishing is definitely slower in the mornings so keep that in mind if you are heading down for the weekend or a day trip. They may not be too keen to rise on dries until the mid-afternoon. Nymphing some BWO and general Baetis patterns or Water Boatman should work pretty good for you earlier in the day. The Bulls are still eating quite aggressively, but they have started to move up river so if you are chasing them, be willing to move spots if you aren’t finding any action. Good luck this long weekend folks!



    The Strategies that are getting the job done: 

    Streamer and nymph fishing if working best in the mornings while we wait for the water temps to warm up. Afternoon dry fly and hopper fishing can be really effective right now, but don't be afraid to throw a dropper on cause sometimes that gets the fish looking up. 

    Nymphing (The High-Percentage Play):

    Most effective method in the morning, get those flies down where the fish are: G Stone (#10-14), Jiggy Baetis (#16-18); and small Pheasant Tails or Copper Johns (#14-16), Ryacophia Czech Nymph(#10-14) Dee's Water Boatman (#14-18)

    Pro Tip: You need to “hit them on the nose.” If you aren’t ticking the bottom occasionally, add more split shot. 

    Mid-Day Dry Fly Opportunity:

    When the water warms up the fish are definitely more active. Try smaller attractor style flies, and Cutties love to eat Ants!

    • Patterns: Hi-Viz Cinnamon Ant(#12-16), Hi-Viz Parachute BWO (#14-18) Hopper Skippy (#8-12) Missing Link Caddis (#12-16) Pav's Cinnamon Toast Ant (#12-14) Monster Beetle (#8-12) Juicy Hopper (#8-12)

    Streamers (For the Aggressive Rainbows and Bulls):

    If the wind picks up (common in the Pass), a slow-stripped streamer can trigger a strike.
    • Patterns: Small leeches (black or olive) or Woolly Buggers (#8-12) Catch's 4x4 White (#1/0-4) Skiddish Smolt Olive or Brown, Dolly Llama  Pink and Flesh, Cranfords Pandora's Box
    • Pro Tip: Use a sink-tip line and move the fly with very slow, rhythmic pulses rather than fast, erratic strips.

    Safety Considerations:

    • Bears are out in full force, keep an eye out for berry patches, and they can find there way down to the water in the heat of the day. 
    • Stay hydrated in this heat, the cramps and headaches can sneak up on you pretty quick.

        Weather/Flow Rates, Follow The Link's Below:

        Weather

        Flow


        Flies:

        • Dries: Hi-Viz Parachute PMD #16-20, Parachute Midge #18-22, X Caddis Tan #14-18, Pav's Elk Butt #14-18, Ninche's Hangman PMD #16-18, Rocky Mountain Mint Purple #14-18, D&D Cripple PMD #14-18 Snowshoe Caddis Tan #14-16, Donan's Water Walker Golden Stone #8-12, Kenny's Killer Queen Ant #12-16
        • Nymphs: Black Copper John #16-18, Peach Fuzz #12-16, Prince Nymph #12-18, Quasimodo Pheasant Tail #14-18, BH Anatomical Green Drake #10-14, BH Prince Nymph Purple #12-18, Jiggy Catch Rubberleg Coffee #8-12, UV Rainbow Czech Nymph #12-16, Guide’s Choice Hare’s Ear #12-18, TB Blowtorch #12-16, Peacock Perdigon #14-18, TB Jiggy Perdigon Black El Tigre #14-18, Riffle Drifter Olive #14-18, 
        • Streamers: Skiddish Smolt Brown #8, Wilson's Sparkle Minnow #6, Jointed Urchin White #4, Cranford's Pandoras Box, Rio's LE Marabou Leech Black or Olive #4, Balanced Leech Claret #10, Foxy Clouser #4, Clouser Minnow #6, Flashabou Bugger Peacock/Brown #6-10, Hale Bopp Leech Black #8-10

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        Southern BC

        Southern BC

        June 30, 2025

        The Elk and its surrounding waters have started off strong this year! The fish are feeding on everything we hope for, making it an ideal beginning to the season. We hope this trend continues throughout the summer. However, there are some concerns regarding water levels and temperatures. Currently, the water conditions are acceptable for mid-season, which has allowed for a more spread-out fishing experience. The fish are hiding in their usual cutthroat spots.

        Bull trout fishing is expected to pick up towards the end of the month. Moving forward, it will be important to keep an eye on the weather forecast and water levels to ensure that the Kootenay Valley doesn’t experience any extreme fluctuations.

        When it comes to bug hatches, having the right flies in your tackle box will significantly improve your chances of success. Currently, the following bug hatches are expected:

        • Golden Stones: Sizes 6-10
        • Green Drakes: Larger sizes this year, particularly sizes 10 and 12
        • Pale Morning Duns (PMDs): Sizes 14 and 16
        • Ants and Beetles: Flying ants in sizes 12-16, along with small beetle imitations around size 12
        • Grey Drakes: Similar sizes to the green drakes, with a focus on size 12
        • Hoppers: Though not yet out, they should be appearing soon if the weather continues to heat up.

        With the right bugs, you should have a successful outing. Remember to cover a good amount of water, as the fish are dispersed across their usual hiding spots. Keep an eye on the surface; cutthroats will reveal themselves if they are feeding on top. Even if they are eating nymphs, there’s a good chance they won't be deep—look for them in the top third of the water column, as we would expect.

        Weather/Flow Rates, Follow The Link's Below:

        Weather

        Flow

         Flies:

        • Streamers: McClure's Kill Whitey Mottled Tan #1/0, SexDungeon White #2, Dolly Lama Flesh/Tan as well as Pink/White #2 or #6, CH Sparkle Minnow Pink #6, Yo Mama's Lama Tan #2 or #4, Skerik’s Apex Predator Pink #5/0, Skerik's Public Flasher Pink or Grey #2, Trick or Treat White/Pink #2/0, Brayden's Musky Killer Chartreuse/Black #5/0, Menage a Dungeon Olive/Yellow #4
        • Nymphs: Optic Nerve Pheasant Tail #12-16, Purple Prince Nymph #14-16, Dirty Hipster Olive #10-14, Tungsten Jig Assassin #12 and 14, TJ Rainbow Assassin #12-16, TJ's Hooker Black/Coffee #8-12, Bloom's Tung Dart #12-16, Drag Queen #14, Tung Stud #12-18, Copper John Green #12-16, BH Anatomical Green Drake #10-14, TB Jiggy Knuckle Dragger Olive #10-16, and Tungsten Jig Yellow Sally
        • Dries: Gt Adult Adams #12-18, Royal Trude #12-17, Better Sweater Adams #12, KGB Green Drake #12, Tilt Wing Green Drake #10-12, Parachute PMD #12-16, Foam back Sparkle Dun PMD #12-16, Water Walker Peanut #6-12, Dornan's Micro Water Walker Golden Stone #10-16, YFG's Fat Frank Grape #6-10, Humpy Chernobyl Red #12-16, Improved Mega Ant #12-16, Hi-vis Flying Ant Cinnamon #12-18

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