A
pril is month where we truly
shift into the spring open water
fishing season. While some of us
refuse to ever give the fish a rest, most
anglers lay up a bit until fair weather
and fishy conditions become the norm.
While waters are still chilly, they are
warming and life is beginning to move
at a faster pace. Bugs are crawling and
hatching. The smaller streams warm
more quickly, meaning Belt Creek and
the Sun River will initially see more bug
activity than the larger more tempered
Missouri. Once waters push into the
40s, you can expect to see BWO’s,
Skwalla stones and March Browns.
April is a primary spawning month
for many rainbows and a great time
to focus attention on Brown Trout.
The browns are hungry. They get
done spawning as winter approaches
and they are ready to pack on some
calories as spring warmth activates
their metabolism. This is a great time
to throw those big nasty streamers for
crushing strikes.
Runoff is always the wild card in the
spring fishing season. Some days, the
tributaries will get a push of melt water
and they may become unfishable for a
time. Don’t fret. This is a vital process
and critical to their health and ultimate
productivity. The Mo always fishes
well regardless of tributary actions.
The lakes and reservoirs are also open
and large trout are cruising in shallow
water. Ice is just coming off some of
the higher elevation lakes and ice out
action can be intense. Flexible anglers
always find plenty of options.
GREAT FALLS
As May rolls forward, the Missouri River
begins to crank up. Hungry rainbows
return from the spawning tributaries
and get stronger and more aggressive
by the day. BWO’s start to overshadow
the midges. Larger mayflies produce
vigorous rises.
Caddis appear as
the water warms to the 50s. It’s go
time on the Mo. Nymphing with the
standard fare of scuds and worms can
provide steady morning action. Tiny
Mayfly nymphs are always in fashion.
Caddis pupa can get hot later in the
morning. Soft hackles and emergers
produce solid takes. Dry fly activity
becomes more and more common.
Streamers still move some very nice
fish. Diversity reigns.
While lakes, reservoirs and many of the
larger streams and rivers are open all
year, the general fishing season begins
the third Saturday in May. Now you
can venture to the smaller mountain
streams and fish up in the headwaters
of some of your favorite rivers. Fishing
options are wide open.
–
FRED
Great Falls Fly Shop Manager