Hatches and Tackle

A successful day on the Bow River requires that you have a good idea of what insects are hatching at the time of your trip and that you bring the proper flies and equiptment. This page outlines seasonal hatches for the Bow and suggests what equipment you should bring on your next Bow River fly fishing adventure.

Hatch Chart - Bow River

Click on the insects in the chart below to view thier suggested patterns and sizes.

Insects	April	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Oct
Caddis
Baetis (BWO)
Pale Morning Duns
Tricos
Midges
Stones
Terrestrials
Nymphs
Streamers

Suggested Patterns

Caddis (May-Sept)

» Elk hair caddis #14, 16, 18 » CDC elk Hair caddis #14, 16, 18	» Bloom’s CDC caddis #16 » Silvey’s edible emerger #14
	<< back to chart

Baetis (BWO) (Apr-May, Aug-Oct)

» CDC biot comparadun #18 » Quigley’s loopy cripple #18 » CDC loop wing emerger #18, 20	» Trina CDC budding emerger #18 » BWO sparkle dun #18
	<< back to chart

Pale Morning Duns (June-July)

» CDC biot comparadun #16 » PMD sparkle dun #16 » PMD challenged #16	» Trina’s bubbleback emerger #16 » Quigley’s loopy cripple #16
	<< back to chart

Tricos (Aug-Oct)

» Trico spinner #18 » Black cripple #20	» Quigley’s loop wing dun #20
	<< back to chart

Midges (all season)

» CDC transitional midge #20 » CDC griffith's gnat #16, 18, 20	» Quigley’s spider midge #20
	<< back to chart

Stones(June-July)

» Bloom’s bearly kicking golden #6, 8 » Rogue foam golden stn. #8, 10	» Barrett’s golden stone #8, 10
	<< back to chart

Terrestrials (July-Sept)

» Foam beetle #14, 16 » Charlie boy hopper #8, 10 » Rainy’s grand hopper #8, 10	» Taylor’s fat albert #8 » NLJ crystal ant #12, 14
	<< back to chart

Nymphs (June-Sept)

» Hare’s ear #12, 14, 16 » Morrish biotic nymph #14, 16 » Copper john #14, 16, 18, 20	» Evil weevil #14 » Beaded prince nymph #12, 14, 16
	<< back to chart

Streamers (all season)

» C/Head R/Leg Bow River Bugger #4, 6 » C/Head Kiwi Muddler #2, 4, 6 » Clouser #2, 4	» Geek Leech #4, 6 » Hot Flash Minnow #2, 4
	<< back to chart

Recommended Tackle

We recommend that all clients bring their tackle with them for fishing the Bow. In order to make your trip as pleasant and successful as possible, we recommend that you bring the following:

Rods

» #4-5 weight outfit for small dries and nymphs » #6-7 outfit for larger nymphs, streamers and larger terrestrial imitations » Floating and sinking tip lines

Apparel

» Waders with felt soled boots » Polarized sunglasses » Fleece clothing for cooler mornings and evenings

» Rain jacket » Sunscreen » Hat

Other

» Insect repellant

» Camera

Should you require any hotel arrangements for your visit to Calgary, Country Pleasures can attend to those details for you if you wish.

Country Pleasures is a full service Orvis & Sage fly shop and we would be happy to assist you in your visit to the area. We have a complete selection of flies, terminal tackle, etc. If we can be of any assistance to you, please feel free to call upon us.