Fishing Reports - September 30

Bow River Report – September 30, 2015

Kind of the same trend as for the last few weeks. Good streamer and nymph fishing (very good at times) with inconsistent dry fly fishing. One big change has been the fact we did get a couple pretty good pulses of water (some dirty) in the last week. This seems to be the result of significant snowmelt in the Upper Bow Corridor. At this point we’re not turning down water for any reason.

There have been a few fish up on Pseudos lately, right at the end of the day.

More and more Boatmen showing up, especially below McKInnons. You might want to try a black Copper John or Dark Prince under a Hopper pattern.

The deep nymphing continues to be excellent, with worm patterns working best.

Best streamers seem to light colored and flashy.

Remember, KEEP THEM WET!

Hatches:  Pseudos, BWO’s, Water Boatmen

Dry Flies: Morrish Hopper-Tan #10, Hippie Stomper-Black #10,

                Stacker Flag Ant-Black, Two-Tone Para  Ant, Thorax-BWO,

                X Parachute-BWO.

Nymphs:   Peacock Boatman, Tung Dart, Rubberleg Hares Ear, Tiger Worm-Tan, 

                  Atomic Worm, Copper John-Black, B/H Prince Nymph.

Streamers:  Silvey’s Sculpin Leech-  Olive/White/Black, Party Boy-Black,

                   Bloom;s Sculpin Bugger, Circus Peanut-Tan

Crowsnest River Report – September 30, 2015

Some good fishing for rising fish on BWO’s. Few Boatmen kicking around as well. Very low and clear.

Hatches:  BWO’s, Hoppers, Ants, Beetles, Water Boatmen

Dries: Morrish Hopper, More-Or-Less Hopper-Tan, Two-Tone Para Ant,

           Fire Beetle, Film Critic-BWO, Spun Hair Dun-BWO

                

Nymphs: Tung Dart, Tung Stud-Olive, B/H R/L Hare’s Ear, Peacock Boatman
  
Streamers:  Medusa-Fleshy, Circus Peanut-Tan,
                    Conehead Rubberleg Bow River Bugger-Black.

High Country River Report – September 30, 2015

For the most part, fishing in the high country has been quite good. Like evry year at this time, if the weather is even slight poor or unstable, the fishing will be tough. But when the weather is nice, the fishing is good. In keeping with our weird year, there’s still Green Drakes on a number of the creeks, especially further south.

Only a month left before the east slope streams close, so if you get the chance you should go fishing

Not sure how many will actually pay attention to this, but the Bull Trout do spawn at this time of year. Maybe a good idea to leave them alone. Also watch where you’re wading.

Hatches:  Hoppers, Ants, BWO’s, Green Drakes (???)

Dries: Two-Tone Para Ant, Fire Beetle, Parachute Adams, Film Critic-BWO,     

           Spun Hair Dun-BWO

Nymphs: B/H Pheasant Tail, B/H R/L Hares Ear, Rubberleg Copper John

Streamers:   Sleech-Pink, Circus Peanut-Tan, Medusa-Fleshy

We Just Don't Get It!

This has been getting under my skin since early in July this summer..... with water levels running at about half of normal for most of the late spring and summer, and the resultant high water temperatures, why do we continue to see excessive handling of fish on the Bow River before they are released?

Since the temporary closure, water temperatures have been continuing to drop below critical and have been as low as 12 Celsius recently. But before the closure, when temps were approaching, and exceeding 20 Celsius there are guides/outfitters and recreational anglers posting all sorts of photos with fish held out of the water. What the heck are we doing? Do we want a healthy fishery in the future? Is it really that important to have that type of photo of a fish we have caught?

Given the tribulations that the Trout inhabiting the Bow River have endured of late, even with cooler water, shouldn't we be as careful as possible to quickly play, keep in the water, and then release these fish as quickly as we can?

I pretty much reached the tipping point on this on Tuesday of this week. While floating the Policeman's to Mac section we were overtaken by a guide/outfitter/shop owner who I thought was a proponent of proper fish handling and conservation practices. You would certainly think so by the sentiment expressed by this individual on multiple avenues of social media.
On two separate occasions, before moving on ahead and out of sight, I saw this individual land fish, pull over to the bank, and proceed to photograph the fish in different poses and angles for several minutes.
The second of these instances resulted in the fish being photographed for 14 minutes after it had been landed until it was released.

What the hell are we doing? As a group involved in this sport have we become so obsessed with our 15 minutes of social media fame that the fish that give us this enjoyment have to suffer the consequences?
As shop owners, shop employees, and guides, should we not take the initiative and knock this off?

Don't get me wrong, photographing the beauty of a fish is no different than photographing beautiful scenery, it's great to be able to go back and appreciate something special. But can't we do it quickly?, and photograph these fish while they remain in the water?

Fishing Reports - September 24

Bow River Report – September 24, 2015

Good streamer fishing continues on the river. Deep nymphing with Wire Worms and Reese’s Pieces has been producing a lot of fish as well.

Seeing a reasonable number of eats on Hopper patterns. Not a bad idea to fish a Hopper-Dropper rig with a Boatman pattern or black Copper John as the dropper.

Starting to see a few decent rising fish later in the day on Pseudos (little BWO’s).

More and more fish in the more interesting water along the banks and inside seams now that the water is a lot cooler. Catching a good number of fish in skinny water on streamers and Boatmen patterns.

Hatches:  Pseudos, BWO’s, Water Boatmen

Dry Flies: Morrish Hopper-Tan #10, Hippie Stomper-Black #10,

                Stacker Flag Ant-Black, Two-Tone Para  Ant, Thorax-BWO

Nymphs:   Peacock Boatman, Tung Dart, Rubberleg Hares Ear, Tiger Worm-Tan, 

                  Atomic Worm

Streamers:  Silvey’s Sculpin Leech-  Olive/White/Black, Party Boy-Black,

                   Bloom;s Sculpin Bugger, Circus Peanut-Tan

Crowsnest River Report – September 24, 2015

The Crowsnest is low and clear, and fishing a little technical right now. Fish with care and stealth and you’ll do better. Fishing has been best mid-morning to late afternoon. BWO’s are getting going pretty good. Best days for them are the cloudy days.

Few Boatmen kicking around as well.

Hatches:  BWO’s, Hoppers, Ants, Beetles

Dries: Morrish Hopper, More-Or-Less Hopper-Tan, Two-Tone Para Ant,

           Fire Beetle, Film Critic-BWO, Spun Hair Dun-BWO

               

Nymphs: Tung Dart, Tung Stud-Olive, B/H R/L Hare’s Ear
  
Streamers:  Medusa-Fleshy, Circus Peanut-Tan,
                    Conehead Rubberleg Bow River Bugger-Black.

High Country River Report – September 24, 2015

Fishing in the high country continues to be very good. Hoppers, ants, beetles working best, Blue Winged Olives are starting as well. It is that time of year, and the mornings are quite cool, mid-morning through mid-afternoon offers the best fishing.

Not sure how many will actually pay attention to this, but the Bull Trout do spawn at this time of year. Maybe a good idea to leave them alone. Also watch where you’re wading.

Hatches:  Hoppers, Ants, BWO’s

Dries: Morrish Hopper, Mongo Hopper, Two-Tone Para Ant, Fire Beetle, 

           Parachute Adams, Film Critic-BWO, Spun Hair Dun-BWO

Nymphs: B/H Pheasant Tail, B/H R/L Hares Ear, Rubberleg Copper John

Streamers:   Sleech-Pink, Circus Peanut-Tan, Medusa-Fleshy