[Awesome Site Newbie Question]

Thanks you very much for all the replies. I'm going to go out tomorrow morning and give it another go.

[Awesome Site Newbie Question]

That would work. But don't get too fixated on the 9 foot part. If you know the water depth you are fishing, try to follow the 1.5 to 2x water depth. The faster the water, the more you can lean toward the 2x part, slower water I lean toward 1.5. Adjust your indicator according to the water depth and rate. But 9 foot is a nice place to start.

I finally got out this morning for my first time on the Bow. It was quite the humbling experience. I tried the 2 nymph set up described by Rickr and San Juan. Spent a ton of time trying to adjust my split shot and strike indicator. There is sure alot to learn about "nymphing". There were lots of caddis' flying around but nothing rising. I imagine this doesn't happen til the sun goes down. There river had about 3 foot visibilty down by Fish Creek/ 22x

[Awesome Site Newbie Question]

I usually run them right in the middle. between bottom fly and top fly. I haven't fly fished in a long time and yesterday I went out. Tossed my flies in and BOOM fish on, first cast. Subsequently snapped me off as I was too lazy to re-rig my gear. Make sure after a few fish you re-tie on your flies.

Thanks a bunch. I'm gonna give this set up a go tomorrow. Any ideas on which flies i should be trying ?

[Awesome Site Newbie Question]

Wow that was a long time ago. I actually wrote something that was helpful. Those were the days before I had kids and had loads of time. Welcome to the forum.

 

Nymphing for dummies.

 

1. Get a 9ft 1X leader. Put a strike indicator on the top where your leader attaches to your fly line. Tie one one San Juan Worm on the end. To the shank of the hook tie on another nymph about 12 to 18 inches with 1X tippet. I usually start with an evil weevil or prince. (lately GOLDENSTONES) ((Note from Rick: I prefer 2 and 3X, but 1X will work as well. You will find there are lots of different opinions on this.)

 

2. Cast upstream at a 45 degree angle and mend your line according to the current. (Key is to make it float along as if it were not attached to a line NO DRAG). Let it swing all the way down past you until it is straight beside you. Give it 2 strips of fly line about 3 inch grabs before lifting it for your next cast. (You'd be surprised how many strikes happen here, I miss plenty)

 

3. Make sure your bouncing along bottom (this is key). I like to add split shot (the ones that are not removable and small). Set your hook when you see suspicious activity on your strike indicator (EVERY TIME i'm terrible but getting better at this)

 

4. Make your own grid system for casting. Cast one spot 3 to 5 times. If nothing, cast a bit further until you are sure there are no fish here. If nothing, move downstream or upstream about 10 feet and try the same thing again. (I like to vary my depths as well by wading deeper and deeper each time).

 

This should catch you at least 1 fish and help you on your way to nymphing the Bow River or any large river. I am certainly no expert but this is the way I learned how to catch fish on the bigger rivers.

Thanks for the tips guys ! I just finished reading the nymphing primer with your nymphing for dummies at the end, SJW. I think this info will help a ton. My next question is how far up from the first fly would I put a split shot.

[Awesome Site Newbie Question]

I'm a long time lurker and first time poster. I just moved from Grande Prairie to Calgary a few weeks ago and decided to get back into flyfishing after a 20 year break. I have never fished with dry flies or nymphs and was wondering if someone knows of a good book for nymph fishing ? It sounds like that is the way to go on the Bow from what I've read. I grew up on the west coast in Terrace, fishing for salmon and steelhead with streamers. It sounds like dries and nymphs are way more technical, but i would love to learn.

 

Thanks for any help. This site is awesome and has lots of great info.

[Snowbee Or Something Else ?]

I'm new to the forum so hello to everyone. I'm in the market for a new rod and was looking at a Snowbee 9ft 4wt at South Bow yesterday. Does anyone have any experience with these rods or recommend something they prefer. I will be using this rod mostly for the mountain streams west of Calgary, occasionally the Crowsnest and the Elk. Thanks for any info.