The upper and lower Madison River has also been producing, along with some spring creeks and the Bighorn River out east. There is some great fishing to be had here right now, you just have to be choosy about where you do it, but before we know it we will be in full summer bloom and all of our waters will be awesome.
The fish phone has been ringing off the hook here as summer angling plans are being laid. Have you put in the call yet? We are here waiting for it, ready with up to the minute info on conditions, your favorite guides, and forecasts for the rest of the season.
It’s been messy out there—muddy rivers, high water, and the possibility of limited fishing options. Yet this happens every year as the snow we’ve been skiing and sledding all winter finally comes down in the form of cold, muddy water. Runoff and high water are essential to healthy trout rivers and this is a big reason we enjoy skiing so much because the more days of fresh powder and face shots we get in winter, the more likely fat trout will be looking up for dry flies come summer. However, summer will come in due time and shorts, flip-flops and size 10 dry flies on 4X tippet will dominate, yet now it’s the everyday challenge of finding clear water to fish. Here’s some tips:
Local knowledge. We are fortunate to have several quality fly shops servicing our local community and the rivers we fish. Internet fishing reports are reliable, but a quick phone call might garner more info, or better yet pay a visit.
Tailwaters and spring creeks. Rivers like the Missouri, Bighorn, and spring creeks such as DePuy’s, Armstrong’s, and Nelson’s will run clear when other rivers are mud. For any angler fishing with a guide, the spring creeks serve up a unique angling experience. If you’ve never done a spring creek, now is a good time.
Go big or go home. Runoff fishing demands an adjustment in your tackle. Fish stouter tippets—unless you’re on DePuy’s spring creek, leave the 5X at home. Expect to fish subsurface more than not.
Tippet change. Invest in quality Flurocarbon tippet material such as Rio Fluroflex, TroutHunter, Scientific Anglers, or Orvis Mirage. But before you do, practice your knots because fluorocarbon ain’t cheap and you want to spend time on-stream fishing, not tying knots.
Love the worm. Most of our regular anglers know fishing with weighted nymphs below an indicator is like fingernails on a chalk board. Yet they also know we like to catch fish and understand when in Rome…and this time of year with snowmelt and rain causing dirty water, fish are eating worms. And can you blame them? To a trout a worm is a high-protein meal.
Keep hope alive. The sooner runoff starts and gets rolling the sooner it will be over, and you are not alone in your search for clean water. Be congenial and share the water out there—a little friendly conversation with a fellow angler might yield a hot fly or tackle adjustment or a new place to fish.
Be opportunistic. You'll never find that one trout who is rising in the back eddy if you aren't looking for him. Believe, pay attention, and sometimes you will be rewarded.
