Before diving into the fishing report, check out this article that explains the difference between anglers and fishermen.
Jefferson River Fly Fishing in April
As the icy cover melts away, the Jefferson River, which is fed by springs, wakes up from its slumber.
The Jefferson drains a huge region of Southwest Montana, so the early season water conditions change quickly with upstream moisture and snow melt. Cold water temperatures and fluctuating river flows keep the Montana fish unsettled, making for inconsistent trout fishing throughout the spring.
Jefferson River Hatches in April
With April water temperatures still quite cold, consistent insect activity proves sparse on the Jefferson. Yet observant anglers note intermittent midge clustering, small blue-winged olive, and March Brown mayflies present on warmer afternoons.
April Skwala hatches are sporadic but will provide a few days, each year, of solid early-season dry fly action for anglers floating the Jefferson River
Hell Creek General Recreation Information (April 9, 2024)
Fly fishing Montana’s Gallatin River is one of the best options throughout the spring season. Being the closest blue-ribbon stream to Bozeman, MT, the Gallatin River offers many Montana anglers year-long fishing opportunities.
Fly fishing has been best from Cameron Bridge FAS to Big Sky, MT, and the Canyon stretch provides good protection from windy conditions. Wild Montana fish are most actively feeding mid-day, when the Sun is at its highest points so no need to get up too early. It is a good idea to contact a local Bozeman fly shop for the most current info regarding stream conditions.
Using nymph imitations throughout the Gallatin Canyon towards Big Sky, MT is the most effective method of angling. Anglers are finding success using Montana staples like the Prince Nymph, Pat’s Rubberleg, or Copper Johns. Drive south out of Gallatin Gateway, MT, and look for turnouts that provide easy access to water that is deep and moves slowly, these areas are stacked with wild Rainbow and Brown Trout right now. Be extra careful when wading around these large boulders especially when there is snow. Our Bozeman, MT fly fishing guides have found that purple worm patterns and black stoneflies have been great effective.
Fly fishing with streamers has been decent, especially on low light days. Small olive or black patterns like a McCune’s Sculpin or a Crystal Bugger are getting attention.
Fly fishing Yellowstone Park is closed for the season so make sure you are outside of park boundaries if you head this way. It is always a good idea to stop by fly shops in Bozeman, MT for some info and flies before heading out on the water.
You can get an idea of the water conditions in the Big Sky area by viewing this webcam, hosted by our friends at Montana Whitewater.
Three Forks Ponds Fishing Update (April 8, 2024)
T.J.: Walk out to the peninsula where that Gazebo is when it’s hot outside and fish plugs and poppers for some really cool action!
Early spring is go time on the Yellowstone. Its been good and should only get better as we warm up. Streamer fishing can move some really big fish this time of the year so don’t be afraid to go big with a Sluggo, Dragon, Dungeon or a Hum Dinger. Nymph rigs are a consistent way to boat some fish as well, worms, zirdles, hares ears, and flashy euro nymphs are our spring favorites on the Yellowstone. On warmer overcast days watch for bugs and rising fish, this time of the year it will be Baetis and Midges, small parachute patterns and Buzz Balls in the 16-20 range are our go to.
Suggested Fly Patterns
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Dry Fly
Parachute Adams (16-20), Purple Haze (16-18), Griffiths Gnat (16-20), Buzz Ball (16-14)
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Streamer
Woolly Bugger (4-12), Mini Dungeon Black/ Natural/ White (6), Montana Intruder (4), Sparkle Minnow JJ’s, Silver (4-8), Double Gonga Black/Rainbow (4), Sculpzilla Black/ White/ Natural (4-8)
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Nymph
Pat’s Rubber Legs (6-12), Zirdle Bug (6-12), Woolly Bugger Black/ Olive (4-12), Perdigon (14-18), Pheasant Tail (10-18), Jigster Baetis (14-18), Prince Nymph (10-18), BH Hare’s Ear (12-18), Sizzlin’ Hot Spot Squirrel (14-16), Matt’s Shagadelic Mop Tan/ Brown/ Green/ Cheeto (10), Hare’s Ear (14-18), Dirty Bird (12-16)
The lake is closed from April 1st until the 3rd Saturday of May.
As winter slowly creeps out of Montana, our rivers transition as well. We are deep into the season of “not quite winter, yet not quite spring.” On any given day anglers can experience sunshine, snow, rain, wind, and more sunshine…and then repeat the next day. The valley bottoms and riverbanks are clear of snow but the mountains are still snowcapped. The contrast of green down low and white up high can make for a scenic backdrop to a day on the water. Even with the warmer days, the nights are relatively cold so streamflows often do not fluctuate enough to negatively impact fishing conditions.
We are in our pre-runoff mode of fishing, which means options run the gamut. From spring creeks to tailwaters to large and small freestones nearly all waters have fishable conditions. Be sure to check regulations for seasonal or special closures or call our fly shop. Now is a good time to fish before runoff commences on a many waters.
Water temperatures are ticking upward and hatches increase in frequency and diversity, trout will follow suit and become more active. Over the course of an angling day a trout may start in a deep, winter holding lie but migrate to a feeding lane or actively pursue hatching insects. This time of year a trout’s behavior is directly related to water temperature and hatches. Frigid cold fronts moving in have ceased for the season and if a cold snap does pass through, it is often short lived. The days are noticeably longer and the hours in a day a trout may actively be feeding often increases each day.
This is also a good time of year for targeting fish with streamers. As trout become more active feeding on more abundant hatches, they can also be more willing to chase baitfish as well. This time of year, fish that are willing to chase baitfish tend to be decent sized as well. Finding these larger fish on streamers requires patience and the willingness to sacrifice quality over quantity.
Anglers need to also be aware of rainbow and cutthroat trout spawning in area streams. For the next few months always be aware of wading on or around redds. Redds may be easily spotted as areas of cleaner/grayer gravel. Fish may or may not be spotted on or near a redd. If you are in doubt if a redd exists, stay clear.
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.
Lake Frances Ice Update via Fishing Group (April 7, 2024)
You can fish from shore there.
Flow Data: Missouri River below Holter Dam near Wolf Creek, MT
The weather in Craig is looking to be great for fishing nearly all week. Midges have been out and trout have been eating them on the surface here and there. A Peacock Cluster or Griffiths Gnat will usually trick the rising trout. BWO’s are just starting and will only get better from here as water temperatures increase. Nymphing has been great. Scuds, sowbugs, and midges are the aquatic bug imitations to use throughout the spring. Tailwater Sowbugs, Pill Poppers, Manhattan Midges, and Amex are a few of our favorite winter Missouri Nymphs. A worm in wine or red will also trick MO fish this time of the year. Missouri fish hold primarily in the water that is moving at a walking pace and sometimes even slower when the water is this cold. Swinging can be a good option all winter long with small buggers or streamers. The streamer fishing has been picking up as well. Kreelex, Sparkle Minnows and Skiddish Smolts produce well in the Spring. Keep an eye out for, and try to avoid spawning trout and their redds.
Swan Lake- Open- catching nice pike south end. Dead bait and large plugs. Also try river mouth for lake trout.
Thompson Lakes- All open- Few nice pike in upper Thompson. Lower Thompson, try for pike and rainbows.
Smith Lake- Lots of small pike on smelt and spinnerbaits.
Echo Lake- Good bass action 12-15’ of water with swim baits and jerk baits.
McGregor Lake- troll shorelines for rainbows with flicker shads and flat fish.
. Flathead Lake- East Bay perch action HOT
also a few pike and bass in bay. North end catching pike in Somers bay, try casting large tubes or dead bait.
Whitefish Lake- Good pike in bays, try large swimbaits or dead bait.
Koocanusa- Rexford area good trolling Dave’s plugs or flies for rainbows with planer boards.
Loon Lake (Bigfork)- Good trout action flies or bait fishing.
Submit your photo’s here for next weeks $25 gift card. Photo with the most likes wins.
ICE CONDITIONS ARE NO LONGER SAFE!
A bit of a slower time of year. Ice is coming off, but not quite ready for open water. However, still a bit of fishing going on.
- Flathead Lake – Mud line is forming off the delta. Try jigging around 50′ or heading deeper between 160-200′ for lots of smaller Macs.
- Lower Flathead Lake – Perch bite is on! Reports of good numbers and size out of east bay in 3′-12′.
- Lake Koocanusa – Rainbows have been biting well. Try using WiseFlies behind planer boards.
- Church Slough – Closed to boating March 1st – April 10th.
- McWenneger Slough – Ice has come off. No reports of fish activities yet.
Cooney Reservoir Ice Update (April 8, 2024)
**We just want to clarify that Cooney is NOT being drained right now lol**
This Kootenai River Montana fishing report is being brought to you by Orvis Endorsed Linehan Outfitting. This report will be updated weekly to provide current conditions, weather, hatches, patterns, and flows to our local waters and across the state.
Flows from Libby Dam: 4000cfs
Water temperature at Libby Dam: 42 degrees
Hatches: midge, baetis
patterns: zebra midge, parachute Adams, parachute pmd, Rosenbauer’s olive rabbit foot emerger, purple haze, purple chubby, red chubby, olive sparkle dun,bh prince, soft SJ worm, bh pheasant tail, bh rubber legged stonefly, big streamers in white, pink and olive, circus peanut, black conehead buggers
It’s not quite spring up here in Kootenai River country but we have good news. Flows from Libby Dam have been reduced and will be stable at 4000cfs through the end of March for now. That means there’s some great early season fishing available right now.
Expect more clammy cloudy weather through the weekend and into next week. March continues to come in like a lion and we’ve yet to see the lamb. Rain and snow mix will dominate forecast. Fortunately daytime temps will ooch into the forties which is at least a small sign of spring around here.
At the moment the river is clear and in good shape. Don’t expect much in the way of dry fly fishing and insect activity until we get some substantially warmer daytime temperatures. The water is still cold but trout will start to feed a bit in the coming weeks.
This is always a good time of year for nymphing. With low flows you don’t need a heavy rig. You just need to get the flies down in softer runs and pools where trout are most likely to be holding this time of year. Don’t spend a ton of time fishing fast riffles.
Streamer fishing is also productive this time of year especially since bigger fish will be hungry after laying low for a couple months during the dead of winter. Keep in mind they will not necessarily want to move too fast or too far to get a meal. Get your streamers down and fish them slowly and erratically. Nothing like a wounded minnow to get a big rainbow interested in at least a sniff.
In Boston Red Sox news, it’s PLAY BALL! After several weeks of a lockout the players union owners have finally come to an agreement. Spring training will start immediately and while opening day was and remains delayed until April 7, the season will still be 162 games. For now the Sox have managed to keep essentially the same playoff roster they had last season. Infielders Dalbec, Arroyo, Bogaerts, and Devers are key players. In the outfield Jackie Bradley Jr. has returned to Boston and Kike Hernandez and Verdugo will anchor the deep green. Ace Chris Sale will hopefully be healthy and other starters from last year will hopefully pick up where they left off in October. Go Sox!!!
Give a call anytime if you need more Kootenai River details or information on any of our hunting or fishing adventures. And please check out our e-commerce site for all Linehan Outfitting branded swag and Orvis gear. https://linehan-outfitting.myshopify.com/
We look forward to hearing from you. 406-295-4872
The Paradise Valley spring creeks have been fishing great recently. Midge hatches mid-late morning and evenings, as well as some decent BWO hatches which typically have been popping in early afternoons. A great rig to cover both bases is a midge cluster/parachute (16-18) with a zebra midge or PT 6-12″ below. Watch your step for redds and spawners!
GO-TO FLIES:
– Last Chance Cripple BWO #18
– CDC Thorax Trico #18
– Firebead Ray Charles Pink #16
– TB Split Case BWO #18
– Hale Bopp Leech Black #8
Below Canyon Ferry Dam Fishing Update (April 2, 2024)
J.P.: Quite a few have been I have been there a few times. Sat was slow
Flow Data: Bighorn River near St. Xaiver, MT
The Bighorn is fishing well with great flows, water temps, and clarity. Good weather on the Bighorn until about Friday when the wind is expected to blow in cold wet weather. There have been a few BWO’s and midges hatching and the occasional fish slurping them down on the surface. Flies to use to trick these risers include but are not limited to the Quill Gordon BWO and BWO CDC Biot Comparadun. In the event that you find fish rising to midges a Peacock Cluster or Griffith’s Gnat will fool a consistently rising fish with a good cast and presentation. Nymphing has been the best strategy to catch fish so far this winter. Scuds, sowbugs, worms, and midges are Bighorn winter fare to imitate. Ray Charles, Pill Poppers, Tailwater sowbugs are great choices followed by a Manhattan midge or Zebra Midge. When none of these smaller flies seem to be working a Wire Worm or a Squirmy Worm will trick a few trout. Small streamers swung or fished deep and slow can pick up fish as well.
853 CFS @ Kirby – Reports from the Upper Madison have been pretty darn good recently. Nymphing has been great with stoneflies, worms, midges, and small baitfish patterns. Streamer fishing has also been productive with 2-3″ patterns in olive/black/white. Dry fly fishing can be great on midges and BWO’s this time of year, but check your weather apps!
GO-TO FLIES:
– Griffith’s Gnat #18
– Spanish Bullet Quill #18
– Hares Ear Jig Pink #16
– Speckled DB Stone Olive #12
– Copper John Yellow #18
All good here this spring. Lower than average waters, nothing we can control (honest), about average water temps, average bite for the season, sun is out, rain and snow on the way.
That is the short hit for the report. More? OK.
Water temps touching 39F.
Water flows 3500cfs. 25% below seasonal average.
Nymphers up at the dam rowing around. Average, meaning pretty good, spring bite. Pink, sow, FireBead sows and scuds, Midge larvae ie Zebra’s, tiny Euro midge patterns, gaudy loud and bright worms (we got ’em), new shiny Indi’s, BWO nymphs. Pretty shallow out there. May or may not need split shot. Many are using a T-Head up top and a unweighted or beaded fly on the bottom end.
Swingers enjoying the access to may center ri ver runs. Still Skagit, fished a 10′ I/2/4 tip yesterday. Seemed right for the lower quicker waters I was fishing. Some are 5×5, and some are flirting with the Intermediate tips. Headhunters is your Trout Spey Center on the river with advice, answers, tips, rigging techniques, and education part of our everyday gig. Stop in for anything you need in the way of spey. Leeches, and olive and fishy the hot flies as of late. White coming on!
Dry Fly Bite? Seems to be very good in specific locals daily. Where are those locations? Changing, and daily hot spots. Be ready, rigged, and stoked to see the midge rising trout. Upper river a very good bet. Early mornings, afternoons, near duck. Variable on all accounts. Small clusters, individual midge cripples, small Adams, Peacock laden patterns with a post you can see! New updated Headhunter Fly Line in stock today! Check it out. Only 80 bones.
Strippers getting them Intermediate tips and a bit heavier if you desire. Get a new steamer line today. Do it. It’ll make you smile, your fishing buddy, and those trout!! Olive and black and brown and yellow and flashy. Or woolly buggers. Good reports of articulated patterns too. We got ’em here at the MotherShip.
Rental Boats For Sale. Adipose, 1 year old, almost new. $14,500 today. They won’t last long at this price.
Shuttles Daily! Headhunters open everyday 8am. Guide trips out daily, available daily. Lots of spring and summer lodging at www.craiglodging.com
- Izaak’s Open for the season! Wednesday thru Sunday Bar at 3pm, food served at 4pm.
- Craig Tap House & Stonefly Cafe open this weekend. More hours next week we hear.
- Canyon Store in WC open daily 7-8.
- Joe’s Bar in Craig open daily, variable hours.
- The Driftwood and The Angus Bars in Cascade open daily.
- The Missouri River Inn @ Prewitt creek open daily at noon.
- Trout Shop Cafe Closed. The Wolf in WC, closed. Lazy I Brews in WC, closed.
Come by and say hello this spring. Exclusive retailer of Skwala Fishing Products. This techy, high-end and well thought through fishing wear is super killer. Been wearing and abusing and enjoying the gear for two years now and report the quality and build is top notch. Stop in and touch it, see it, feel it! New rods, reels, the HH Fly Line, gloves, hand warmers, sunscreen, HH Log gear arriving daily, new nets, gear bags…at the friendly information super store in Craig.
REPORT: No April Fool’s joke here! The Big Hole River has reopened to fishing! Early reports have been good, with fish looking very healthy. Great to have our favorite local river back as an option!
DRY FLIES
- #10-#12 Fool’s Gold Skwala
- #10-#12 Bullethead Skwala
- #16-#20 Purple Haze
- #16-#18 Olive Rocky Mountain Mint
- #18-#20 Midge
NYMPHS
- #8-#12 Pat’s Rubberlegs
- #10-#12 Olive Double Bead Stone
- #10-#12 Pink or Red San Juan Worms
- #14-#16 Pill Popper
- #14-#16 Cotton Candy PLT Jig
- #14-#18 Chartreuse Copper John
- #14-#18 Jig Frenchie
STREAMERS
- #4 Bee Buggers
- #4-#12 Coffey Sparkle Minnow
- #6 Montana Humdinger
- #6 Daddy’s Money
- #6 The Grinch
- #2-#8 Sex Dungeon
3/5
The Big Horn River near Fort Smith, MT, is some of the best fly fishing in the state. The tailwater provides an extremely healthy trout population that offers Montana anglers opportunities throughout the year and is a prime option during spring, as temperatures here are typically much milder versus the Bozeman area.
The forecast the next couple days look like some typical spring weather with rain and light wind, this should be a bit more mild compared to the Bozeman MT area. Fishing should continue to be good on the Bighorn River with insects hatching and warming water, the trout will be happy. Anglers fishing with nymphs are finding the most success. The best fly patterns are ones that imitate Scuds, Sowbugs, Midge Larvae, and Aquatic worms. Floating or wading between Afterbay FAS and Bighorn FAS is the best water right now and fish are holding in large seams off into the slower water and in deep pools. Once you figure out what the wild trout here are focused on during their feeding, high numbers can be caught in these localized areas.
If fishing is slow, try sizing down your flies as well as adjusting the depth. Using the standard setups with Ray Charles, Pill Poppers, and Jelly Bean Sowbugs can catch fish throughout the river but patterns like the Manhattan Midge, WD40, and Micro Mayfly in smaller sizes can help in catching some pickier fish.
Fly fishing with streamers has been good with white or two-tone flies like a Barley Legal. Some of the larger fish are being caught with flies pulled off of the banks. Our Bozeman fly fishing guides have found that using a sinking tip line and making medium-length strips has been best.
Dry fly fishing has slowed a bit with a slight bump in flows and drop in water temperatures but this should get good again this week as thick hatches of Midges and BWOs should continue to take effect. If you see some trout rising to the surface, a Midge Cluster #18-16 / Parachute Adams #18-16 paired with a good cast typically fools them.
Make sure you stop by some of the fly shops in Fort Smith, MT like the Bighorn Angler and the Bighorn Trout Shop to get the latest information and conditions regarding the river.
The Spring creeks have been fishing well. If the wind is low, expect to see fish rising to midges and BWO’s. Conditions this week could provide some good dry fly action. If you find risers they will likely take a Peacock Cluster, Miracle Midge, or Griffith’s Gnat with a good drift and presentation. If these patterns are not working a Slick Midge or Smoke Jumper will be the answer. There are a few BWO’s on the water in the afternoons and a few fish rising to them. A 401k Baetis or Stealth Link have successfully tricked these picky Spring Creek trout. Small scuds, sowbugs, and midges work well under a dry fly or under an indicator this time of the year. Any midge nymph with a white or flashy wing such as the Manhattan Midge seems to get a but more attention than other patterns. BWO nymphs and emergers will be in play once again. Nymphing will be pretty consistent in the event that the trout do not want to cooperate and eat bugs from the surface.
Current Conditions:
The Stillwater River is not quite as low and clear as it usually runs due to some weather lately, so it is running about 150 CFS higher than normal. Floating is dicey but doable but check locally for ice and snow and boat ramps just to make sure they are clear of ice. Blue Winged Olive hatches aren’t showing up in strong abundance yet but should be right around the corner. This is a bit of a drive for us so we usually wait until the summer months to target it.
The Month Ahead:
The fishing will improve as weather warms up through April until run off arrives in late May. Hatches might increase but still focus on afternoons with smaller nymph patterns for the coming weeks. Streamer anglers might find some action by focusing on deeper runs and holes.
Fresno Ice Report (April 8, 2024)
J.P.: We just finished putting the main dock in at Fresno, ice is completely off.
