Weather and fishing heating up!

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Spring weather has arrived and we have had several days with highs in the 50’s & 60’s. A few adult skwala’s have started to emerge but most fish are being caught underneath on nymphs. Large numbers of skwala nymphs can be found on the edges of the Bitterroot and the fish are keying on them. Dry fly fishing should continue to improve as the weather and water warms. Look for the other spring stones ( nemoura, capnia) to be out and drawing trout’s attention. Consistent dry fly action is about a week away. See ya on the river………………

Spring Fever!

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Although its still snowing in the mountains good spring fishing is just around the corner. We have had a fairly mild winter in the valley so the fish are in great shape and have been active. The Skwala nymphs have begun staging along the banks of the Bitterroot and can be found in shallow water. Trout are already keying on them and there have been reports of good nymph fishing on the milder days. Nymphs and streamers fished low and slow have been getting most fish but occasionally you can take fish on dry midges. Fishing should continue to improve as spring approaches and I expect consistent dry fly action by the second week of March. See ya on the river soon………

Winter 2011

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Ice is forming on the edges of the river as winter’s cold temps are taking hold of the Bitterroot. Most fly fishers have moved on to hunting, skiing, or any number of the various winter activities Montana has to offer.. While there is snow in the mountains, snow levels are still a bit below average for this time of year. The long term forecast is another La Nina for the northwest which equates to colder wetter weather than average. this pattern has yet to materialize but it is early.. I will post more fishing reports after the new year and give updates of the snow pack levels. If you must fish , nymphs and streamers fished slow and deep should get you a few fish. As for me, I’ll see ya on the slopes….. Happy Holidays!

October….

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Fall has arrived and the season will wind down at the end of October, but there is still great dry fly fishing to be had.. Last week felt more like July then the last week of September. Weather was hot and sunny , great for sun worshippers but not so much for fly fishers and trout.. We caught plenty of fish but had to work for it with hoppers and droppers.. This week should see the weather switch back to fall with cool overcast afternoons.. May flies seem to emerge in greater numbers in these conditions and we are looking for the dry fly action to really improve… There are still lots of Tricos and Hecubas but the abundant bugs will be Mahoganies and BWO’s. The best time to find risers will be in the afternoon from about 12- 5pm. Get out and enjoy the last best fishing of the year………

May flies coming on strong..

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Last week we saw a big change in the weather with cooler temps and some much needed rain. This change in weather has triggered the may fly hatches to come on in good numbers.. Large numbers of Trico’s are coming off in the morning and providing some challenging fishing with tiny flies.. The Hecuba ( fall drake ) are showing up and fish are looking for them late morning through afternoon. Some nice fish are coming up for our imitations even if they are not seen rising. Although I have not seen many Mahogany’s, imitations of the fly are working very well. If you cannot find rising fish on the sunny warm afternoons, switch to a hopper which caught us some very big fish this week. The good dry fly fishing should last well into October….See ya on the river……………… ~ ><(((*>

Fall fishing!

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It is hard to believe September is here. Where did summer go? The weather however still feels much like August, hot dry days in the 80’s and 90’s. River flows are still in good shape and fishing is holding up. Hoppers are still bringing up some good fish in the afternoons. The may flies of fall are beginning to show in small numbers and should increase once we get some cooler cloudy days. Hecubas (fall drake) and Tricos are catching a few fish in the clouds and shady banks. If you find some risers , match the hatch with the appropriate may fly. If nothing is rising stick with a hopper and if you must drop a nymph about 2 1/2 feet below. This weather pattern is expected to last another week, when it cools down the may fly hatches should be great. See ya on the river…..