Montana Fishing Reports

We are definitely in our spring season mode of fly fishing in Montana. The nice days are definitely outnumbering the cold and snowy days, and hatches of Blue-Winged Olives and skwala stoneflies are being spotted regularly. If you are able to get out and go fly fishing in Montana in the next few days or weeks, you can sample some of the reliable "not-so-secret-anymore" spring season fly fishing in Montana. 

Water temperatures are still the driving factor in the feeding activity of trout, and overall, water temperatures will remain low for at least another month or so. Streamflows are also some of the lowest of the year, which means walk-and-wading access runs the gamut, and anglers have plenty of options. Early spring is also a good time to head to our tailwaters of the Madison or Missouri Rivers. With consistent flows, these rivers come into form a little earlier than freestones. Hatches, timing, and fishing methods are going to be similar to freestones and spring creeks, but fly selection will be a little more specific. Check out each river's individual fishing reports page for detailed information on fly selection.

Trout are still holding in winter-type lies and will be for the foreseeable future. Focus on the slower, deeper runs to find fish, and the best fishing action is going to be between 10/11 AM until around 4/5 PM. Before and after that, a few fish might be caught on streamers or deep nymphs, but this is the time of year to sleep in or hit the ski slopes at Big Sky Ski Resort.

Nymphing is going to be the most effective technique to catch fish for the next several weeks in Montana. While hatches of midges, March Browns, Blue-Winged Olives, and a few skwala stoneflies will all be seen off and on over the next few weeks, dry fly fishing is still the exception. Anglers committed to fishing streamers might find some success dead-drifting or slowly stripping streamers. The fly selection doesn’t have to be fancy, but it will vary from fishery to fishery. On the bigger freestone rivers such as the Yellowstone, Gallatin, and Madison, it is nice to still fish something larger as the top fly, such as a stonefly nymph, crayfish pattern, or sculpin trailed by a smaller nymph. For small nymphs think small with hooks in the 18-20 range. Patterns that produce include small baetis emergers, pheasant tails, and midge larvae. San Juan worms and eggs are also good patterns to try, and if you are fishing a tailwater or spring creek, a sow bug can produce (especially pink). On spring creeks, the big/small rule for nymphing can still apply, but the “big fly” might be a size 14 sow bug trailed by a size 22 midge larva. Takes for the next month or so are going to be very “soft”. The fact that trout are not moving much for flies, along with the slow water that they are found in, produces a very light reaction on a strike indicator. It is important to experiment with weighting to ensure flies are right on the bottom. Many of our guides also prefer a yarn indicator when takes are subtle, which makes it easier to see subtle ticks and changes of speed. If your indicator tilts, slows down, speeds up, or looks “funny,” set the hook and ask questions later.