New Fly Fisher: Bow River Hopper & Dropper Fishing

The Bow River is divided into three sections:

1. Rocky Mountains


2. Foothills


3. Prairies - near Calgary

David Blair & Terry Johnson
from Fish Tales Flyshop in Calgary

Hoppers come in four colours: Yellow, brown, olive and green
It is important to match size and silhouette.

Hopper Dropper Rig
9' 3X leader
Blood knot 4x tippet: nymph 90 degrees
18-24" and 6-8"

Rod
8 1/2' - 9 1/2', 4-5 wt rod is fine but 6wt for double hopper or streamers is recommended

Large trout are in current breaks created by weedbeds

Versatility is important. Switch to streamers if nymphs are not working.

Splatting is okay when presenting grasshoppers.

Reach cast
Need to be able to cast far, accurately to fish the Bow.

Cast a bit upstream and mend.