Let’s Get this Season Started!
Spring Fishing is Where it’s AT!
Spring is hands-down every guide’s favorite time to be on the water. There are fewer anglers, the air feels fresh, and the trout are hungry after a long winter of conserving energy. As the fish gear up for their upcoming spawning season, they are actively feeding and more willing to chase a well-presented fly.
Spring is the sweet spot: rivers run with consistent flows, water temperatures are just right, and the fish are active and hungry! While the spring weather still keeps us on our toes, the fishing conditions are prime.
Tailwaters stay at consistently cold temperatures throughout the winter, which slows trout metabolism. And since they keep feeding, they bulk up—kind of like us in the winter! :) With the return of spring sunshine, these bigger fish become more active, creating excellent opportunities for anglers to catch a huge trout.
Early Summer is Booking Up Fast!
The momentum doesn’t stop in the Spring, May and June offer incredible fishing days as well. Get on our books before prime dates fill up!
Fishing Report:
The Snow Pack Report is Lookin’ Good!
Recent snowfall has significantly improved our snowpack. The water level forecasts are looking much stronger for late summer!
Hatches and Gear:
This is the time of year to wear your waders! The fish are sitting in slow water this time of year, so stepping out the boat and fishing on foot can really improve your chances. Temperatures are still cold, so be sure to pack layers, reliable rain gear, and a warm hat.
On the Missouri and Madison tail water rivers, you can’t go wrong with worms and pink/orange hot bead sow bugs. For the streamer fishermen, white, black or flashy work best. The water is still really cold, so focus on the dead/almost stagnant water. When the air temperatures rise and the clouds are overcast, keep your fingers crossed for midge and baetis dry fly activity.
For those who don’t have a boat or want to only get out for an hour or two, try your local lakes from the river bank. Snowcone black chironamids and a black balanced leech on the shelf are a safe bet.
For the Freestone Rivers, Skawala Stoneflies are the 1st big terrestrial dry fly of the fishing season. There are not many opportunities to fish terrestrials when there is still snow on the ground. Montana spring is special in that way. We’ve seen Skawala success on the Big Hole and Missoula rivers (Clark Fork, Black Foot, Bitterroot, and Big Rock Creek).
Mr. Fishy here was hanging out on the shelf and ate the black leech ;)
Licenses and Trip Prep
Fishing licenses opened March 1st. Starting this year, fishing licenses must be purchased online or at a MT FWP office. They are no longer sold at fly shops. If you are fishing with us this season, please send us a copy of license ahead of time and complete our safety waiver.
Safety Update
There is currently a fundraiser to install new Automated External Defibrillators (AED’s) at high-traffic Fishing Access Sites/Boat Ramps at the Craig and Holter Dam Boat Ramps along the Missouri River. If you’d like to help make the water safer for our anglers, you can donate here!
We are also proud to share that Kalama Flagg, one of our fishing guides, recently earned his EMT certification! So your next trip with him just got even safer :)
The Flagg Chicken Coop is up and running!
Introducing the ladies: Louie, Dewey, Huey, Muk, Shmuck, Cinnamon, Queen, Sapphire, Stripes, Smokey and Ānuenue :)
If you are interested in purchasing some eggs, let us know! $5 / dozen
