Like small children counting down the days until Christmas, anglers have been patiently waiting and watching for the first salmon fly hatch of the season. The waiting is over, at least on Rock Creek; salmon flies have arrived! According to Fisherman’s Mercantile at Rock Creek near Missoula, big ugly bugs were all over the bushes on the first stretch of creek!
It is advisable to foot fish and not float as the water’s high and log gams have probably changed, and a scouting of the jam’s has not occurred. The best way to fish is close to the banks as that is where the fish are.
Check their website for more updates…here. Here are a couple photos:
The next few days are supposed to be pretty warm, so I’d definitely give fishing a shot with some salmon fly patterns. Stay in the lower section for the time being, but these bugs will climb up the creek quickly, so a lot of river will become fishable very soon (high water be damned!). We’ll give further reports on what parts of the river they’re being seen and update you accordingly. It should be a fun June for stoneflies! Stay tuned.
(feature photo: Keith Lenard)
