We are on the cusp of the end of snowmelt runoff here in southwest Montana. Many of our freestones have stabilized and talk of runoff being over on rivers like the Gallatin and Yellowstone is starting to permeate around the area. It won't be long before all of our rivers are in ideal post-runoff form, but for now stick to spring creeks and tailwaters. The best fishing right now is going to be on the Madison and Missouri Rivers and the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks. Many lakes--large ones like Hebgen and Hyalite are also fishing well. There are also a variety of private ranch lakes that can be in prime shape when other rivers are in runoff.
Overview
Since we are in a good chunk of our our runoff season here in Montana, expect some higher than normal flows. Stonefly nymphs are going to be getting more and more active as water temperatures warm in the coming weeks. Fishing the banks will be the primary focus for the next several weeks. Target bankside structure like rocks, logs, etc. On rivers like the Madison this is the time of year to focus on the banks. On the Gallatin and Yellowstone once they come back into shape this is the time of the year be sure to use shorter leaders and stout tippets because you are not likely to be able to see the structure and if you snag up you want a stout enough leader so you don't lose too many flies.
The Missouri River near Wolf Creek and Craig is going to be the most consistent option for fishing in Montana for the next week or so. Flows are well below average for this time of year. They may start to rise, but the water will still run clear and cold from Holter Dam. Trout are going to be feeding on nymphs or dries in the heavy current seams. Below Craig and in the canyon you can prospect for big browns along the banks, but the numbers game on the Mo will be tandem nymph rigs fished in the heavy seams.
If you want to fish crystal clear water, then you might be into some technical fishing--either dry fly fishing or shallow water/tight line nymphing action, choose the Paradise Valley Spring Creeks or the Missouri River. And, there is always the Madison River is one of our favorites this time of year for lots of reasons--it can nymph like a champ, there are consistent hatches of Blue Winged-Olives, and anglers that are in tune with dead-drifting streamers can catch some of the biggest fish of the year.
Hatches
Caddis, some early season stoneflies and maybe a early-rising salmonfly or two. There's always a few that hatch in the Missouri River canyon near our Missouri Cliffs Lodge. Blue Winged Olives are most likley done on all of our local waters. There may be a few that hatch on some of the waters in Yellowstone National Park if a cold snap comes through.
Fly selection
Parachute Adams in sizes 12-18
Comparaduns in sizes 12-18
Royal PMX in sizes 10-12
Beadhead Little Green Machines in olive or natural in sizes 16 to 22
Pat's Rubberlegs in contrasting colors in sizes 10-16
Beadhead Pheasant Tails in flashback or natural in sizes 12-22
Firebead or hot bead SJ wormies in sizes 8-12
Beadhead Perdigons in natural, olive, peacock, black, in sizes 16 to 22
Sawyer Pheasant Tails in sizes 16 to 22
Home Invaders in darker/contrasting colors in size 2 - 10
Sculpzillas in black, olive, or brown in size 2- 10
Sparkle Minnows in a variety if colors in size 2 - 10
Elk Hair Caddis in sizes 10-18
Buzzballs in sizes 16-22
Your favorite go-to streamer pattern
Reading water
On our freestones reading water right now it relatively simple--fish the banks and bankside structure and find slow water near the structure. On our tailwaters and spring creeks, the game is a little bit different. It is important to pay attention to a river's pockets, seams, riffles, runs, and pools. Because the main hatches right now are caddis and PMDs fish are going to be scattered. Caddis are going to hatch from riffles or along the banks and PMDs are going to hatch at the start of runs or in shallow riffles. The place to look for trout during these two hatches are where two speeds of water mix. Focus on current speed and depth changes. The composition of the bottom is also important on tailwaters and spring creeks. This can give you a clue to the type of insects that might be hatching...especially in a spring creek or tailwater. PMDs most likely will hatch from streams with small cobble or tiny gravel.
Hatches
We are currently in a holding pattern between the spring and summer hatches. The BWO’s, March Browns, and Caddis (for the most part) of spring have dissipated but summer hatches are right around the corner. Stonefly nymphs like Salmonflys, Golden Stones, and Yellow Sally’s are extremely active subsurface right now and will begin to hatch soon. The Pale Morning Dun’s, which are the main event each year on the Spring Creeks, are days away as well. Some Caddis are still hatching as well and will pick up steam quickly. This is a time to imitate the subsurface bugs that will soon have the trout rising voraciously to dry flies.
To get some useful knowledge and to expand your fly fishing horizons, be sure to read some of our recent blog posts featuring: The Best Salmonfly Dry Flies for Montana, 5 Best Streamers for Fly Fishing in Montana in Spring, 5 Essential Dry Flies for Spring, 9 Great Flies for Large Trout Anywhere in the World, What Do Trout Need And How to Use That to Catch More Fish, Best Not-So-Secret Places to Fish in Montana This Spring, and The Mayfly You Need to Know: Catch More Fish by Understanding Blue Winged Olives.