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 the mountain snowpack starts to come out of the mountains during runoff. The Yellowstone River is the most dynamic during spring as flows can, and often do, change on a daily basis based on current weather conditions. Our tailwater rivers like the Madison and Missouri Rivers will fish well throughout spring. Paradise Valley Spring Creeks are consistent and a great option for hatch-hunters as hatches of Blue Winged Olives can be thick.
Hatches
A typical early spring day on a Montana stream or river can feature a smorgasbord of hatches. The most exciting hatch that signals spring is the Blue Winged Olive mayfly. These are prevalent in nearly every trout river in Montana and will hatch when water temperatures rise into the 40s. Blue Winged Olives also are more likely to hatch in rainy or snowy weather which can be common in spring.
Rounding out the list of hatches for early spring includes midges, March Browns, skwala stoneflies, and possibly some early season caddis.
Specific to individual rivers, the Gallatin River near Bozeman and Big Sky has notable hatches of Blue Winged Olives and skwala stoneflies. The tailwater fisheries on the Missouri and Madison Rivers can have exceptional hatches of Blue Winged Olives on a cloudy rainy or snowy day. The Yellowstone River near Livingston and through Paradise Valley will see a variety of hatches including March Browns, Blue Winged Olives, and possibly some early caddis.
Fly Selection
Even with all the talk of prolific hatches right now subsurface nymphing is still the most effective way to fish. Because trout may be feeding on a variety of insects on any given day, for any tandem nymph rig be sure to include one or both of the following patterns:
Pat's Rubber Leg's in sizes 8-16
Zirdles in sizes 8-16
Any beadhead rubber legged stonefly pattern in size 8-16
Beadhead PTs in sizes 14-18
Beadhead Hare's Ear in size 14-18
Beadhead Rainbow Warrior in size 14-18
Any favorite scud, sowbug, or firebead in size 14-20
For dry flies a selection of Parachute patterns will work well for BWOs, including a Parachute Purple Haze in size 14-18 or a Hi-Vis Sprout's in size 14-18. For March Browns choose similar patterns but bump up in sizes to 10 or 12. You can also try a Brindle Chute or your favorite March Brown pattern. For any early season stoneflies an olive or grey Chubby Chernobyl, Stimulator, or Bugmeister in size 10 or 12 is a good choice. Midges can also hatch right now and size 18 to 20 Paliminos or Griffiths gnats are good choices.
Streamers, whether stripped or dragged through deeper holes, can produce fish. Go with your favorite choice. Or, if you haven't yet fished a Circus Peanut, Sparkle Minnow, or Sculpzilla, those are all good choices for this time of year.
Reading Water
Because snowmelt runoff has not yet commenced, streamflows often remain relatively consistent. There may be small daily fluctuations, but that doesn't effect where trout will be found. Trout will migrate on a daily basis to locations in a river or stream based on the most available food source. Before any hatch occurs expect to find trout in deeper runs or holes, awaiting the hatch or feeding on insects that are staging. As a hatch progresses trout may move higher into the water column or towards bankside structure, so be prepared to adjust the depth at which your flies are being presented. If midges or Blue Winged Olives are abundant, hatching adults will collect in slower currents near structure or in slow pools or pockets.
In general focus on slower and deeper water unless a hatch is occurring, then target areas where bugs will collect such as pools and pockets of slower water or along or behind bankside structure.