Southern Alberta
July 16, 2026

Southern Alberta

The Crowsnest:

The water is down and clear, bug are hatching and fish are happy! If you head down expect to see a lot of small Caddis and PMD's, some Goldens Stone flies still hatching, and some Lime and Yellow Sally's. If you are fishing dries, run them on the smaller side because the fish can be picky when it comes to eating on the surface. A Golden Stone and Caddis nymph dry dropper set has always done good this time of year too. Good Lucky this weekend!

The Oldman:

The flows are still on the high end of average, but it is clear and fish are happily eating on top water! The hatches will be very similar to the Crowsnest but you'll find you don't have to fish the flies as small. A dry dropper set up with all Golden Stone Flies or a Caddis dropper if probably where I would start. And don't forget to bring some big streamers for those deep pools, because those bulls are hungry and they can finally see your flies. If you make it down there I hope you catch some absolute crankers!



The Strategies that are getting the job done: 

The water is high but clear, your dry fly drifts will be all about mending your line for the best drift. Dry dropper setups are also gonna work great, make sure you are using a very buoyant dry and a fairly heavy nymph so it has a chance to get down in the fast water. Heavy sink tips and heavy streamers will be great for hunting those Bull Trout!

Nymphing (The High-Percentage Play):

If they aren't rising I would start with a dropper rig, and if you find you aren't getting any action on the nymph, swap the dry out for an indicator and get hose flies down deep: Cheater Belly (#6-10), San Juan Worms in red or pink; and small Pheasant Tails (#14-16), Ryacophia Czech Nymph(#10-14).

Pro Tip: You need to “hit them on the nose.” If you aren’t ticking the bottom occasionally, add more split shot. The trout won’t move far to chase a meal in winter.

Mid-Day Dry Fly Opportunity:

On these warm afternoons, keep an eye out for big bugs on the water, you could see some big eats.

  • Patterns: X Caddis Tan(#16-18), Hi-Viz Parachute PMD (#14-18) Dornan's Water Walker Golden Stone (#8-12) Purple Haze (#14-18)
  • If you see fish rising chances are they are earing Salmon Flies or Caddis. 

Streamers (For the Aggressive Rainbows):

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).
  • Pro Tip: Use a sink-tip line and move the fly with very slow, rhythmic pulses rather than fast, erratic strips.

Important Reminders:

  • Regulations: The mainstem from the outlet of Crowsnest Lake to the Cowley Bridge is open all year, but please double-check the 2026 Alberta Guide to ensure no local emergency closures aren't in effect.

Safety Considerations:

  • It's that time of year where the bears start to wake up, I'd bring your bear spray along just to be safe.
  • Make sure you have good footing when wading in cloudy conditions, and don't wade to deep, the current is strong and you could lose your footing.

      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, Bow River Bugger Brown #6, 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