Best Skwala Fly Patterns
Rogue Skwala
The Rogue Stonefly combines a low floating profile with the ability to float well, a rare combination. Low floating during the Skwala hatch is important, and the Rogue Stone fits that perfectly. Our Missoula guides find this fly most effective through the hatch, and capable of floating a small dropper as well.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 2XL Nymph Hook Size 8-12
- Thread: Dk. Olive Uni 136 D
- Body: 3mm Closed Cell Olive Foam
- First Underwing: Gray Web Wing glued to the Closed Cell Body
- Underwing: Dyed Brown Elk Body Hair
- Head: Black dyed Deer Body Hair, bullet style
- Legs: Black Spanflex
- Indicator: Fl. Pink Antron
Rastaman Skwala
This MFC fly was developed in Missoula, on the Bitterroot River, Rock Creek and the Clark Fork River. The Rasta Skwala takes a bit of work to fish, but is really worth it. This low floating Skwala uses the attraction of CDC to bring fish to the surface. Treat the CDC with Umpqua’s Dry Magic, Frog’s Fanny or Loon’s Lochsa Floatant. The CDC will need to be dried and dressed more often than other skwalas, but it works on all our rivers around Missoula.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 3XL size 8-12
- Thread: Brown 136D Uni Thread
- Tail: Moose Body Hair
- Egg Sac: 2 mm Black Foam cut to shape
- Rib: Brown Sexi-Floss
- Body: Light Olive Dubbing
- Wing: 2-3 Black CDC Feathers under 5-6 Natural CDC Feathers
- Head: Brown Deer Body Hair, bullet style
- Legs: Brown/Black Barred Sexi-Floss
- Indicator: 1mm Fl. Green Foam under .5mm Yellow Foam
Water Walker Peacock
The Water Walker is a very effective fly, with its two tan foam wings and low floating profile. The Tan Wings help in locating the fly, while the Rubber Legs provide strong action. If you choose to tie this fly, we strongly recommend you use wing cutters, or it will be a very slow tie!
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 3XL Size 8-10
- Thread: 6/0 Black Uni Thread (136D)
- Egg Sac: .5mm Foam wrapped
- Body: 2mm Black Foam cut to shape
- Body Dubbing: Synthetic Peacock Dubbing
- Under Wing: Black Krystal Flash
- Wing: 2 .5mm Tan Foam cut to shape
- Over Wing: Sparse Calf Tail
- Rear Legs: Two Black Fine Round Rubber Legs, knotted, with a single strand removed at the rear
- Indicator: 1mm White Foam
- Mid Leg: Black Fine Round Rubber Legs
- Front Legs: Two Black Fine Round Rubber Legs, knotted, with a single strand removed at the rear
Plan B Olive
The Plan B has garnered its following because it seems to work when nothing else will, hence the name. Many of our guides will cut the body hackle flush with the hook shank so the fly floats lower, and lands upright more often. The Plan B is buoyant enough to float a dropper very well, and the two tone indicators make the Plan B easily seen.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 3XL Size 8-12
- Thread: Olive 6/0 Danville Flymaster (70D)
- Tail: Orange Antron under Red Krystal Flash Under Black Krystal Flash
- Egg Sac: Sparkle Dark Olive Dubbing
- Body: 2mm Tan Foam, cut to shape
- Rear Legs: Brown Span Flex
- Rear indicator: 2mm Yellow Foam
- Body Hackle: Dyed Olive Grizzly
- Body: Sparkle Dark Olive Dubbing
- Front Legs: Brown Span Flex
- Front Indicator: 2mm Orange Foam
Peacock Speckled Double Bead Stonefly
This fly combines the fish catching appeal of peacock with the additional weight of two beads to combine for a fish catching machine when the skwala nymphs are staging. We run this fly from size 8-12, starting with the larger flies earlier in the season and progressively getting smaller as the hatch continues.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 3XL Curved Shank Hook Size 8-12
- Beads: 2 Gold Beads
- Thread: Dark Olive 6/0 Danville
- Tail: Peacock Swords
- Rib: Clear V-Rib Fine
- Abdomen: Peacock Herl
- Gills: Tan Goose Biots
- Wing Case: Mottled Turkey Tail, coated with thick UV Resin at the end
- Thorax: Peacock Herl
- Rubberlegs: Speckled Olive Sexi Floss
- Antennae: Tan Goose Biots
Spring Special Guided Fly Fishing In Montana – Discounted Rates
Take advantage of our Spring Special Guided Fly Fishing discounted rates. March and April is some of the best dry fly fishing of the year. Our guides love this time of year because of the big fish eating dry flies. Come enjoy a day on the river with Missoula’s best fly fishing guides.
Brown Rubberlegs
It’s a bit counterintuitive to reach for a brown fly to match an olive insect, but the Brown Rubberlegs has proven itself spring after spring in Missoula Montana. Quick to tie, we prefer the standard Rubber Legs as it doesn’t sink as quickly as it’s Jig counterpart, which helps as the nymphs stage in the shallow water of Missoula’s Spring fishing.
Fly Tying Material List
- Hook: 3XL Size 10-12
- Thread: Camel 6/0 Uni Thread (126D)
- Tail: Olive Span Flex
- Body: Brown Chenille
- Body Legs: 3 Sets Olive Span Flex
- Antennae: Olive Span Flex
