Now that the rain is tapering off, Southern Alberta’s streams are finally starting to shape up quite nicely! Although most rivers are still flowing higher than usual, the water clarity has improved significantly which has kickstarted exciting action on the surface. So, time to bust out your dry fly rods!

A word of caution: high water has made many familiar crossing spots unsafe or completely uncrossable so be extra careful when wading and stick to shallow, riffly water for safer passage. 

As for bugs, dry fly fishing is definitely picking up as mentioned. The banks are littered with terrestrials like grass hoppers, beetles, and ants so those will be your best bet when thinking about what fly to throw on for the day, especially on warm, sunny days. On cooler, overcast days, watch for hatches of green drakes. These big bugs can be fished up to a size 10 and provide some awesome dry fly action.

If the fish seem spooky, try lengthening your leader to 9-12 feet for a stealthier presentation, especially if the water is crystal clear.

Nymphing is still effective especially if the water is a little stained or the surface activity is slow. Hopper-dropper setups have been producing fish and will be an effective way to fish both the surface and sub-surface. Using a buoyant hopper, paired with a jimmy leg pattern for stoneflies or a prince nymph as a dropper can be a deadly rig! 

If streamer fishing is your thing, that has been effective as well for enticing takes from fish. Target deeper pools, shaded undercut banks, and along drop-offs. Work these streamers slowly, especially early in the morning and after heavy rain showers. Play around with the size and colour of your streamers to see what the fish are liking that day, and vary up your strips to mimic a fleeing or dying fish!

Conditions are improving daily so get out there when you can to enjoy some of the best late-summer action southern Alberta has to offer!