Anglers Outlook, Friday June 21, 2024
Anglers Outlook, Friday June 21, 2024
West Central Alberta’s Current Water Conditions & Fly Fishing Report
The runoff surge we experienced last week in the upper Red Deer River ended as quick as it began. In a five day period we observed water levels rise up to the top of seasonal high averages in about 48hrs and fall back down to below the low seasonal averages in about the same time frame. West Central Alberta’s snowpack stations are no longer showing any measurable packs in their perspective areas however there is still decent amounts of snow at higher elevations and in the back forty across the west country. With warm temps coming over the next week we could see isolated flow surges throughout west central if some of this snow melts quickly. Currently however this has all added up to some great water conditions on the upper Red Deer and we anticipate that we will continue to see this generally throughout the next week. All tributaries in the upper section currently have water levels below the seasonal average so for those of you practicing catch & release ensure you are watching water temps as things start to heat up. May Flies & Caddis are still hatching daily and Drake hatches are starting to come off. Stones have been very active over the last week.
On the Tailwaters of the Red Deer below Dickson Dam water levels are below the seasonal average and fishing conditions are currently excellent. Visibility is very high, and surface feeding has been very active. The tributaries are generally running clean but just like the upper red water levels are low and, in many cases, well below the seasonal average. Stones, Caddis, Drakes have all been present with sporadic Mayfly hatches still showing up.
On the Stillwater’s chironomids have been very active and conditions and temps have been stable. Caddis and Mayflies are present and surface feeding has been increasing. We anticipate that good conditions will persist through the next week.
In the West Country opening conditions are the best we have seen in recent years. Most streams have stable flows and are clear of ice and snow. Even with the seasonal temps being colder than normal bug life has been present and we have seen decent hatches daily on the high country streams. We expect to see conditions continue this way and improve in the West Country over the next week as daytime temps start to increase.
Remember it is worth checking out stream flows post rain events as some of our late spring and summer storms will bring rainfall amounts much larger than forecasted. Check out the Alberta River App or give us a call at the shop for more accurate updates as the week progresses.
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