Late June 2025 Fishing Report – Bow River & Southern Alberta Streams

As we wrap up June, southern Alberta anglers have experienced a rollercoaster of conditions. Early summer hatches were in full swing, but mid-month brought torrential rains that briefly blew out many rivers. Now, as water levels recede, the Bow River is cleaning up nicely and trout are feeding aggressively again – especially with stonefly season upon us. Below we recap how June fished on the Lower Bow River (Calgary to Carseland) and provide an update on foothills streams in southern Alberta (Highwood, Sheep, Oldman, etc.), which remain elevated and colored from the mid-June rain/snow event.

June started with spring runoff raising the Bow’s flow, but initially it wasn’t as severe or dirty as some years. The river rose from roughly 70 m³/s in early May to around 225 m³/s by mid-June , yet clarity remained decent through these gradual increases. In fact, thanks to a lower mountain snowpack this year, the Bow “never really got high & dirty like years past” during early runoff . Anglers enjoyed consistent fishing on many days despite fluctuating flows – trout were still feeding and could be caught on streamers, nymphs, and even dries whenever the water had a bit of stability . High water often pushed fish tight to the banks, where they remained willing to chase flies presented along the edges .


Everything changed around June 21–22, when a torrential rain storm dumped enormous moisture on the region. Up to 100 mm of rain fell around Calgary with nearly double that in the foothills to the west . This rain-on-snow event in the foothills (where ~10–20 cm of late spring snow also fell at higher elevations) caused a sudden high-water event on the Bow and its tributaries . The Elbow River (which joins the Bow in Calgary) rose rapidly, carrying loads of mud and turning the lower Bow into a chocolate-colored torrent. It appears the foothills snowpack sitting on loose soil contributed to the turbidity – as that snow rapidly melted under heavy rain, it likely picked up tons of sediment. (Such rain-on-snow events are known to cause significant soil erosion and sediment runoff .) In this case the Bow’s downstream tributaries like the Elbow delivered the mud; areas upstream in the mountains got far less precipitation and stayed clearer. The result was a blown-out Bow River from Calgary through Carseland for several days. Many guide trips were canceled for safety and poor visibility, and anglers had to wait it out until flows crested and began to fall.


By the final week of June, the Bow River has stabilized and is recovering quickly. Flows are dropping back toward seasonal levels and water clarity is improving each day. With the river “getting back to normal,” the fishing has bounced back nicely. In fact, lots of bugs were already around during the high water (caddis, mayflies, stoneflies) just waiting for a break in the flows – now the trout can finally see them again! Golden Stoneflies, in particular, are the headline hatch right now. These large summer stoneflies have been popping on the lower Bow for some time, and their emergence is progressing upstream into Calgary . Trout that hunkered down through the muddy spell are now gorging on stoneflies as the hatch intensifies. Anglers are reporting more fish looking up for big dries, especially in sections downstream of the city where the hatch started earlier. Smaller hatches of caddis and PMDs (pale morning duns) are still ongoing each day, but those take a backseat to the big Stoneflies for the moment – the trout know a hefty stonefly is a more filling meal. Early morning and late evening tend to be peak time for stonefly activity (when the adults skitter and lay eggs) , so plan to fish the cool hours if you’re targeting that dry-fly action. During midday, you may see fewer rises, but come late afternoon caddis and PMDs will spur rising fish again near riffles and banks .


For tactics, June’s turbulence reinforced a few lessons. When flows were high and off-color, streamer fishing was the ticket to find aggressive trout hugging the banks. Large, dark streamers (black, olive or brown) produced some terrific fish even in the dirtiest water . Many Bow anglers threw double-streamer setups – for example, a flashy baitfish pattern trailed by a darker bugger or leech – to maximize attraction in the murk . Now that clarity is improving, streamer bites can be more hit-or-miss, but don’t be afraid to keep tossing them, especially under cloud cover. As levels fall, fish will start moving out of the flooded shorelines into riffles and seams again . So, shift your focus back to those spots where sediment is clearing and fish can ambush food.


Dry flies are back in play too. With caddis and mayflies hatching daily, fish are rising most consistently in the afternoons and evenings once the water warms a bit . A tandem dry fly rig can be very effective – for instance, a bushy stonefly or grasshopper pattern as an indicator, with a smaller caddis or PMD dry/emerger tied behind. This covers both the “big bite” and the smaller naturals. If fish are visibly up for stoneflies, you can also skip the dropper and throw a single high-floating foam stonefly imitation. Patterns like Stimulators, Chubby Chernobyls or other golden stone dries are great choices. Just use a stout leader (2X or 3X) to turn over those big bugs and handle fierce strikes. When trout seem picky, downsize to a low-riding stonefly pattern or even try an egg-laying female imitation skittered on the surface – sometimes a subtler presentation draws more eats from pressured fish .


Finally, nymphing remains a reliable fallback on the Bow, especially as it transitions out of runoff. In high water, a big stonefly nymph or dark leech with plenty of weight was crucial to get down in the fast, deep flows . Post-spike, you can lighten up a bit, but you still want to dredge the runs and drop-offs where fish hang mid-column. Fish the “walking pace” water – medium-speed riffles and seams, and adjust your weight/tippet until your flies occasionally tick bottom . Productive nymphs lately include stonefly patterns (Pat’s Rubber Legs, Jimmy Legs, etc.), large prince nymphs, and caddis pupa imitations. With water clarity improving to a few feet, even size 14–16 mayfly nymphs (PMD, pheasant tails) can start to work again for picky feeders.


All in all, June on the Bow tested anglers with big flow swings, but the river is shaping up for excellent summer fishing. The quick surge of runoff helped flush out silt and refresh the system without causing major flood damage – a silver lining. Now we have healthy flows, cooling water, and abundant hatches heading into July. Make sure to check the daily flow rates (as dam releases and weather can change conditions overnight) and approach the river with some flexibility . One day the fish might still hug the banks; the next they could be back in mid-river riffles. By staying adaptable with your flies and tactics, you’ll capitalize on the Bow’s improving conditions. The stage is set for the stonefly extravaganza to continue, backed by caddis at dusk and morning mayfly spinner falls – truly a fun time to fish the Bow!