Southern Alberta
June 05, 2026

Southern Alberta

The Crowsnest:

Run-off is here but the fish are still eating, and they are hanging out in some pretty cool spots. With the water levels up the fish have retreated to the shorelines and are sitting in close deflections. If you head down, I would try fishing a hopper dropper set up with a big Salmon Fly on top and a big stonefly nymph on the bottom. You could also just run a double nymph rig with a stone and worm or leech as a second fly. Good luck if you head down!

The Oldman:

The water levels are peaking right now, and the lower stretch is likely going to be quite blown out. If you do head down and fish the Oldman, I would be dead drifting anything big like stoneflies, worms or leech patterns in any deflection close to shore. Slower streamer presentations could also get you some fish, but it might be a bit of a grind. Good luck out there!



The Strategies that are getting the job done: 

The water is warming up so you will start to see fish more eager to move, technical stealthy dry fly tactics could get some fish moving. Deep nymphing will stil be the most effective method of chasing fish. 

Nymphing (The High-Percentage Play):

This will be your most productive method. Use a strike indicator or a Euro-nymphing rig.

Patterns: 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: Christiensen's Salmon Fly(#6), Franklin's Salmon Fly (#6)
  • 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: Parachute BWO #16-20, Parachute Midge #18-22, Hi-Viz Spinner BWO #16-20, BWO Sparkle Dun #16-20
      • 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, BH Glo-Bug Light Roe #12-#14
      • 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