Canada Day Fishing Report

Tomorrow is Canada Day! And here is a much happier, and friendlier fishing report.

Bow River Report –June 30, 2014

It has been kind of an “up and down” week, or actually the other way around. Water levels dropped through mid-week last week and fishing got pretty good. Visibility hovered around a foot. Wednesday afternoon the powers that be increased flows from the mid-200 cms range to a very big 305 cms. This made for tough fishing on Thursday, through the weekend.

Levels are now dropping, with a more manageable 260 cms flow.

When on the river last week, we were happy to see lots of bug activity. Throughout the day there are caddis showing up, PMD’s are around in more than sufficient numbers to get fish looking up as the water drops. And there are some Stoneflies kicking around, setting up for a good few weeks coming up.

If the heavy rains stay away we will likely see a pretty sharp drop in water level in the next week and fishing should get very good. Dark and buggy are the order for streamer and nymphs, and as levels drop look for snouts on caddis and PMD’s. Stonefly dries should be up soon as well.

McKinnon`s road and launch area are open. Having said that, we ask that people think twice about using McKinnon’s when we see heavy rainfall. The road will not support rain and vehicles in its present state. Carseland will not open in 2014. City launches, Jansen’s, and Policeman`s are OK.

Hatches: Caddis, Stoneflies, PMD’s

Streamers: Clouser-Brown/White, Geek Leech-Purple, ¼ Pound Bugger-Olive, Silvey’s Scuplin Leech-Olive/Black/White Head, Love Bunny
Nymphs: Heavy Metal Worm, Jimmy Legs-Dark Brown, Chubby Cousin,
Rock ‘n’ Roller Stone
Dry Flies: Elk Hair Caddis, Better Foam Caddis, PMD Parachute, Film Critic-PMD, Chubby Chernobyl-Blk/Tan, Chubby Chernobyl-Orange

Crowsnest River Report – June 30, 2014

After rising into the mid 70 cms range last week, the Crow is now down to 15 cms, much more user friendly. The Crow, and other streams in the area should get very good over the next while. Every day should bring some improvement.


Hatches: Salmonflies. Caddis, PMD’s, etc. should get going this week.

Streamers: Bead Crystal Bugger, Jawbreaker
Nymphs: Jimmy Legs, Rock`n`Roller Stone, WMD Stone.
Dries: Berrett’s Golden Stone-Barred Leg, Morrish Fluttering Stone,
R/L Stimulator-Orange

High Country River Report – June 30, 2014

Basic rule of thumb on the east slope streams right now…the higher up, the clearer they get. As an example, the Highwood runs clear downstream to Cataract. Downstream of that it degrades continuously to brown. Sheep has started to change color around Okotoks.
All of these streams, south to Waterton, are dropping pretty quickly. If it stays dry, they’ll get better every day and likely be very good in a week or so.

Hatches: Stoneflies, Caddis, PMD’s

Streamers: Sleech-Olive, Silveys Sculpin Leech-Tan, Party Boy-Pink
Nymphs: Rock ‘n’ Roller Stone, W.M.D. Stone, Chubby Cousin
Dries: Berrett’s Barred Leg-Golden Stone, Chubby Chernobyl-Orange,
R/L Stimulator-Orange