Fly Fishing Report Brought To You By Our Missoula Fly Fishing Guides And Fly Shop Staff.
Enjoy and Good Luck!
Bitterroot River
The Bitterroot river fly fishing has been hot over the last week, the skwala dry has been the name of the game, March browns and BWOs have been good in the cloudy weather. Anglers are having success with nymphs and streamers early morning, and then switching to the Skwala dry later in the morning and throughout the day. The river flow is on an upward trend, and with rain forecasted, we might see the bump in flows continue depending on how much moisture we receive over the next few days
Our favorite patterns are as follows: Skwala – Gray/Olive Plan B, Water Walker, Rogue, Mill Creek and the True Skwala. March Browns – Parachute Pheasant Tail, Brindlechute and the Carnage March Brown. BWO – Tiltwing, Thorax, Parachute Hare’s Ear Olive and Film Critic.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch
Fishing on the Blackfoot river is decent, particularly with streamers and nymphs, while the dry fly fishing is spotty at best. Effective strategies include fishing deep nymph rigs on inside seams and slowly retrieved streamers in deeper runs.
While the Blackfoot river may not be the best option for anglers at this point, the traffic is low and this is a great time of year to test out your streamer skills with some big fish being caught up here over the last few weeks.
Deep nymph rigs with stoneflies and worms are pretty hard to beat on the Blackfoot river now. For streamers, our favorites are the Double Fuego, Sparkle Minnow, Mongrel Meat and the Gonga.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!
The Clark Fork river mirrors the Bitterroot in terms of hatches. The skwala’s have been out in the sun, while the BWO’s and March Brown dries have been good in the clouds.
Like the Bitterroot, the Clark Fork’s flows are creeping up as of this morning. The forecast is calling for a lot of moisture over the next 24 hours.
Our favorite patterns for the Skwala has been the Mill Creek Skwala, Gray/Olive Plan B and the True Skwala. The Parachute Pheasant Tail and Carnage March Brown has been our most effective March Brown Patterns. For BWO’s, try the Film Critit, Split Flag and the Thorax.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!
Rock Creek is in excellent fishing conditions. The Skwala adults have started to show up along with BWO’s and March Browns. The dry fly fishing in the morning has been a little slow, but by midday the dries have been effective. Nymphing and streamer fishing has been good in the morning while you wait for the dries to come into play.
Like the rest of the rivers, Rock creek is currently seeing a rising trend in water flows as of this morning and might continue its rise if the weather forecast holds true. Rock creek is one stream around missoula that still fishes decent in rising water.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!
Click any photo below to find out more information on each individual hatch. Includes life cycle, best fly patterns, helpful tips and where to find these hatches in your Western Montana fly fishing adventure.
We’re having a typical Montana Spring. We had snow in late April, and the weather hasn’t gone above 70 since October! We’re getting a bit of rain each day, which is keeping the ground moist and the grass green. While some don’t enjoy this weather now, we’re all going to love it in about 6 weeks and throughout the summer. So far the Montana fly fishing 2022 prediction is looking pretty dang good.
Our snow pack is between 150 and 215% throughout the area, and if this rain continues, we’re going to have an epic summer. Hate to pull a jinx, but it’s looking a whole lot better than last summer, when we had some serious drought throughout western Montana. But right now, we’re poised to have water throughout the summer. The weather looks mild for the next few weeks which always helps extending the runoff further into the summer and should produce some good june fly fishing as well. As long as we don’t see those early record breaking temperature like we saw last June, we should have some much happier fish for the summer of 2022.
We can’t wait. The droughts that occasionally show in Western Montana can be a real issue for fishing. Low flows and high water temps are a serious stresser on the trout. When water levels stay up through the summer, keeping water temps lower, the fish stay healthy. This snowpack, and some typical June rain will keep water levels where they should be through the summer.
The Missoulian Angler is prepping for a big summer of fishing. Our cold spring fishing has shown us some very healthy, fat fish with no noticeable population decline. We came through last years’ low water relatively unscathed. All the cards are in place, it looks like the stars are aligned. With a little help from June rain, this summer is looking to be a lot deeper than last summer. Lazy waders might be a bit sad, as will those who like their fish stacked like cordwood. But for those who want a healthy river, stress free trout and cold water around their feet, it looks like the summer of 2022 Montana fly fishing is going to be a whole lot better than last year.
Unless you ski or snowboard, things get a lot slower in the winter. Slower traffic, slower getting kids out of the house, slow cooker meals- face it, things just don’t move as fast in the cold.
The same thing applies to winter nymph fishing for trout in the Blackfoot River, Rock Creek, Bitterroot River and Clark Fork River. Trout are cold blooded (Trout Biology), meaning their body temperature and metabolism fluctuates with the water temperature. The colder the water, the slower the trout’s metabolism. Trout in winter don’t need much food.
In the hot summer months, trout are stressed by warmer
water. Cold water holds more oxygen than warm water, so along with more food, summer
fish are also searching for oxygenated water, often found in and just below
riffles. Summer trout can be lethargic due to decreased oxygen. Winter trout
don’t have oxygen issues. The cold water holds lots of O2.
Let’s add a third biological piece of the puzzle. Very little photosynthesis goes on in the winter. Not much beyond midges are hatching, and the number of insects in the river is declining, though the biomass is going up. Summer trout are stationed in areas of maximum photosynthesis, because where there’s plant life, there’s insect life. The higher metabolism in summer drives trout to feed more, meaning trout are found where the most bugs are- shallow, fertile water with lots of plant and algae life. In winter, trout don’t need as much food, so they don’t need maximum bug populations.
These cold water factors combine to push trout into much different water than they’re found in warmer weather. The driving forces behind trout behavior remain consistent- food, oxygen, safety from predators- but are implemented in a very different way as the water temperatures fall.
Trout are always looking for places to find food, breath and
be safe. As water temps fall, trout begin to move to places that summer
fishermen aren’t familiar with. Look for trout in deeper, slower water, away
from the faster seams, again counter to summer behavior. A higher metabolism
needs a bigger supply of food, provided by the faster seam. With less food requirements,
trout are found in slower, quieter water. Less food, but with the addition of
less energy used and safety from predators.
When you go to the river in summer, you see the places that are “prime”, and many places that are marginal. While marginal covers a LOT of water- shallows, stagnant, too deep, too fast- winter anglers are looking for slower, darker and less fishy looking areas. Think about the deeper drop farther below a riffle, or the very inside or outside of a seam, where the water is quite slow. If you fish those places in the summer, you tend to take tiddlers- fish that require much less food to survive, simply because their size doesn’t need as many calories to sustain them. Remember these spots!
We’ve been talking about winter trout as if they don’t eat. That’s not correct, not by a longshot. They’re still eating, and regularly, just not where you think they are. They’ve moved to the marginal water for the winter. All those spots that kicked out 4-6 inch fish now hold larger fish, looking for the less strenuous lifestyle offered by water that’s slow, cold and deeper than usual. The summer margins are now the go-to spots for nymphing.
Timing and conditions differ for winter nymphing as well. We know in the heat of the summer, it’s better to fish the edges of the day. Dawn and dusk offer the fish a more comfortable water temperature, and they get more active. It’s the direct opposite in cold weather. Get out in the “heat” of the day. Mid afternoon is prime time when the temperature drops. Sunlight is also your friend in winter. Just as the sun makes you feel warmer in winter, it does the same for the trout. Sun on the water will quicken their metabolism, getting trout more active in the water. Counterintuitive to the summer fisherman, but important in winter.
When it comes to rigging for winter nymphing, it’s a double nymph rig all the way. However you choose to rig- drop shot, double tungsten jigs, wire worm or lead weight- there is no indicator dry in the winter. You’re going down to where the fish are, and staying there. Try and use as small an indicator as you can, and as unobtrusive as it can be. A small Thing-A-Ma-Bobber or Air-Lock is the way to go. The New Zealand wool or other natural indicators are not as effective on really cold days- they freeze on the cast! Drop your fly a bit deeper than you’re comfortable with. The fish are on the bottom, and not roaming very far for food. You need to get to them- they’re not coming to you.
When it comes to choosing winter nymphs, we wish we could say only these bugs worked. It would help sales in a slow time of year! But pretty much any nymph that worked in the summer will work in the winter, and at pretty much any time. There are no winter hatches in Missoula, other than midges, and the trout are seeing a wide variety of nymphs and pupa go by. Because there aren’t enough insects of one type to grab the trout’s focus, they will eat most anything that goes by. Provided it’s close enough to eat, presented properly and they don’t need to expend too much energy.
Early winter nymphing, found in November and December, will sometimes benefit from a smaller nymph. Due to nymphal life cycles, the early winter nymphs are smaller than the later winter nymphs. As an example, a PMD nymph in November may only be 4mm long- by February it will be 6-7 mm long. Trout are trout- you still have to be close to the size of the food form to entice them into eating.
Not expending too much energy to eat is critical. The trout’s metabolism is down, energy is down, motivation is down. They’re not going to move 4 feet to take a Pat’s RubberLegs, even though it’s a big meal. The fly needs to drift very close to the trout before they’ll eat. Which changes the strategy of the winter nympher.
One of the true joys of winter nymphing is the solitude it
provides. River access parking lots that are full in July are now empty. You
have your pick of the river most of the time. Cold weather fishing is not the
time to go prospecting for trout. The smart winter fisherman goes right to the
spot he wants to fish and stays there.
Unless you’re a world class Euronympher, there will be subtle variations in each cast you make. It looks like your flies should be doing the same thing, but underwater they’re not. In summer, these differences aren’t so pronounced, as the trout will range farther to take in food. Now, you have to bang them on the nose to get them to eat. For most anglers, the chance you hit the first cast perfectly is not great. But you know the fish are here. So keep casting!
Winter fishermen go to Prime Position A, and stay there a
while. They make sure to throw enough casts to cover all the fish there.
Understanding that each cast is different, and just because no trout ate the
last one, doesn’t mean they won’t eat the next one. Trout aren’t moving to your
fly- you need to move your fly to the trout, and that can take some time to
dial in. That’s why we recommend a small indicator. It creates less disturbance
on the water. The indicator doesn’t have to be a huge beacon of color in the
winter- you’re working slower water where any indicator is easily seen.
This doesn’t mean you grow roots and stand in one place.
Move your feet, vary the drift. Find out how the trout want the fly delivered
to them. And be sensible. If you’ve fished a spot for 30-45 minutes without
success, it’s time to move on. Go find another place that looks winter fishy,
and cast there. If you’re new to winter nymphing, it’s going to take a bit to
find the spots trout have migrated to. When you’re exploring winter nymphing,
move a bit more till you find the fish.
Winter nymphing also has its own set of safety issues that
need to be addressed. Cold and water don’t mix. Of course you need to dress
warmly, layers, etc. We’re Montanans, we know that! But basic safety
precautions need to be taken. Never walk on ice that’s formed over a river. Have
waterproof matches or a dry bag with a lighter and some firestarting stuff. Put
dry clothes in the car. If you take a header in August, you’re a point of
entertainment to your friends. If you fall in the river in December, you have a
lot more issues to contend with. Safe wading practices are key. Being ready to
get yourself warm if you do fall in is critical. Rubber soled boots are the
only way to go in the winter. Felt soles, once wet, will pick up snow with every
step, putting you in high heels after 50 yards. Bootfoot waders are much less
cold than stockingfoot waders. If you have them, use them.
Winter nymphing offers the angler some serious peace and
quiet on the water. It can also be very effective, and a great way to spend a
day outdoors when the opportunity arises. The best days to head out are when
the temps will be above 35. Dress warmly, take precautions, and take a net.
You’re going to need it all for winter nymphing!
Tributaries in the Western District open the third Saturday of May every year in Montana, opening up a lot of new waters we haven’t been able to fish since December! The cold nights and cooler days will provide some good fishing in the upper reaches of the tribe, so there’s going to be some good fishing to be found!
But as we start to venture farther away from the main stems, we
start to wander closer to the wilder sections of our area. For the last two
years, the bears have been prevalent in the Blackfoot valley. So if your,re
going to head up to your favorite Blackfoot River tributary, you will want to
have bear spray. The bears are up and moving, be ready for that situation.
Mooses are starting to calve. When we think of dangerous animals
in Montana, we think of bears and wild cats, but in truth, in the Spring Moose
can be incredibly dangerous. They are calving, and if you find yourself between
a moose and its calf, you are going to have problems! If you see a moose, steer
very clear. While moose are normally docile to humans, they will defend their
calf vigorously, so don’t spend time looking to see if there’s a calf, just
find another place to fish!
It’s still Spring in Montana, so as you venture up the
tributaries, make sure to take additional layers, and maybe a little extra
water and some essential safety gear. As we all know, the weather in Montana
can turn on a dime, so you’ll need to be prepared for whichever way the wind
blows. A little pre-planning can be a true life saver if you find yourself high
in the hills when the weather gets unfriendly.
Once you’ve made the necessary preparations for Montana’s weather
and critters, the fishing can be fantastic as the tributaries open. The
Mother’s Day Caddis is still out and about. Make sure to have some dries and
pupa to be ready when they come off. The Salmon Flies are right around the
corner. While the big bugs probably won’t be flying, the nymphs are starting to
stage in the shallows. Make sure you have a few sizable Pat’s Rubberlegs or
Some big Double Bead Stones. The fish are looking for these tasty morsels, so
make sure you’re prepared.
There is a lot of excitement around Missoula fly fishing when the
tribs open, and there’s good reason, especially this year. They should be
relatively clear, if still moving fast. The water is cold, and some of the
bigger fish will still be holding out of the main stems. Don’t count on much
surface activity, so be ready with your streamers and your nymphs. While the
opening day is important, not as many anglers will take advantage as you think
they will, especially this year, as the students are mostly not here. It will
be easy to find the best spots, and make sure you work them well. Fast water
keeps the fish close to the bank, so keep your flies there as well.
For some of Missoula’s tributaries, this is the best time to fish
them. Some of them get low and warm as the season progresses. If you love the
small waters, the solitude of the woods and the simplicity of wading, today will
mark the first time in 6 months that you can indulge in these joys.