All the signs of spring of here in Montana--caddis hatches, some rain, some snow, Blue Winged Olives, guide rigs rolling around town, and locals eager to get on the water. As winter still lingers in the high country, the valley bottoms are green, lush, and certain rivers are in prime condition while other rivers are starting some snowmelt runoff. Large freestones like the Yellowstone River may be day-to-day based on current weather conditions and our tailwater rivers like the Madison and Missouri Rivers will fish well throughout snowmelt runoff because a series of lakes or dams help mitigate the muddy water of snowmelt runoff. The excitement of the Mother's Day caddis is on the minds of most anglers looking to fish near Bozeman. Conditions have to line up well for a Mother's Day caddis hatch, but when they do, it can be quite fun.
Montana Fishing Reports
Spring is finally here and we have the signs to show it! Green valleys, snowcapped peaks, caddis hatches, guide rigs and local anglers rolling around town, and trout no longer in winter slumber mode. But often is the case with when spring finally gets here, our large freestones become day to day as...
Current Conditions: The Yellowstone River is dropping and starting to fish again. Best action at the moment is subsurface nymph fishing and possibly some Blue Winged Olives--they bugs will most likely hatch but we need the river to drop about another 1000 CFS for the clarity to be ideal for BWOs...
Current Conditions: The Upper Madison Rive r earlier in the week the real potential for caddis above Ennis Lake existed, but now we are at least a week out. Look for Blue Winged Olives and some March Browns, but the best tactic is going to be subsurface nymph rigs with beadheads or the big bite...
Current Conditions: Caddis! BUT---with the cooler weather that is happening right now caddis have stalled a bit....however, look for hatches of Blue Winged Olives to be consistent in the afternoons. If daytime highs reach over 65 degrees again then the caddis will be back. When that happens, the...
Current Conditions: The Gallatin Rive r near Big Sky and Bozeman is dropping fast and back to fishing mode. Tandem nymph rigs are the ticket until Mother's Day caddis come off. Check our Lower Madison or Upper Madison or Missouri River report for some other options in the Bozeman and Yellowstone...
Current Conditions: Great daily weather patterns for the spring creeks for the next several days...rain, snow, clouds, sun, and repeat. Blue Winged Olives mayflies thrive on inclement weather. Showers, cold, and cloudy skies are ideal for hatches on the spring creeks. Bright sun makes it easier to...
Current Conditions: The Stillwater River is not quite as low and clear as it usually runs due to some weather lately, so it is running about 150 CFS higher than normal. Floating is dicey but doable but check locally for ice and snow and boat ramps just to make sure they are clear of ice. Blue Winged...
Current Conditions: The Boulder River is running slightly above average for this time of year, but still cold. With the Boulder's crystal clear water in the spring, it means the trout are spooky so making longer casts and a stealthy approach helps to reduce spooking trout. But because fish are in...
Current Conditions: The Jefferson River will have fluctuating streamflows right now as the various weather patterns produce rain, snow, and warm weather. When the Jefferson runs at long term averages of around 1000 CFS at Twin Bridges, expect to fish fish well with both streamers and nymph rigs. The...
Current Conditions: The East Gallatin is a legit option right now. Flows typically remain steady and clarity remains good enough for solid fishing. If rain or warm temps occur, it can become muddy enough for tougher fishing, but even with rain and some warm, the night time temps are still cold...
Current Conditions: The Missouri River is in prime mode right now with hatches of Blue Winged Olives, March Browns, caddis, and the occasional skwala. For wading anglers on the Missouri River flows are about as good as they get. For floating anglers the river is tailor-made right now for posting up...
Current Conditions: The Ruby is a nice option in the spring. The smaller valley doesn’t produce as strong of winds as the Madison and the dam protects the waters a bit early run off. Nymphing is always very productive with small worms, egg patterns, baetis nymphs and sometimes dead drifted streamers...
Current Conditions: Montana's Lakes and ranch ponds provide some pre-runoff options when rivers and creeks might be affected by snowmelt runoff. Lake mayflies and midges are going to be the dominate food source for trout. If a hatch is strong, expect fish to cruise the shallower water looking for...
Current Conditions: As spring is hitting Montana full on, our small streams become a real option. However, always be sure to check regulations as some small streams are open and some have sections that are closed to fishing to protect spawning fish. The same hatches that are occurring on our larger...