SPRING CADDIS
By mid-May, 50 degree water sets off the caddis.
Sometimes they even come off big time on Mother’s
Day like they are supposed to. One thing’s for sure,
they will come off big some days and a good caddis
hatch is hard to beat for getting lots of fish to eat
on or near the surface.
Pupas and soft-hackle fishing can be excellent
if you can manage to fish before a big hatch.
Sometimes it’s hard to know when that will be, but
give them a go mid-morning on any given day in
May and you might have a great session of tight
line grabs.
One of my favorite patterns is the TFP Party
on Top. At first glance, it might look like an Elk
Hair Caddis, but underneath the wing are layers of
partridge and CDC. The body is smooth and stays
glued to the film. It seems to be just the ticket for
picky Missouri River trout.
In the evenings, when the sun is off the water,
the magic happens. Clouds of caddis spread across
TIPPETS, LEADERS AND PRESENTATIONS
When it comes to fishing small dry flies, I like using
a 9-foot 4X tapered leader and adding a couple feet
of 5X fluorocarbon tippet. With the larger March
browns and caddis, I sometimes opt for 4X, but
generally 5X fluoro tippet garners the best drifts
and the most attention from the fish.
When fishing from a boat, anglers generally
fish their flies downstream toward rising fish. When
a good pod of steadily rising fish is spotted, boats
are anchored so that flies can be fished down, fly
first to individual rising fish. Stealth is generally
required and putting the line or leader over fish
often ends your chances of an eat.
While wading, fishing downstream is still the
general plan, but if you are targeting a bank-sipper,
you will need to place your fly right on their head
with an upstream cast. You may only get one good
shot, so make sure your cast is on target.
On the nymphing side, I like to start with
a fresh 7.5-foot 3X leader. I add 18 inches of
Stealth is generally required and putting the line or
leader over fish often ends your chances of an eat
the water to mate and bring lots of fish to the top.
Late in the day, I like to fish a TFP Hi-Vis Spent
Caddis. While the fish are not always easy, you
typically find plenty of risers to target.
THE FIRST HATCH OF SUMMER
As spring rolls into summer, things remain good and
arguably get even better. By early June, 60-degree
water blows up with PMD mayflies. At this time
of year, you can usually ditch the waders and slip
into refreshing water, whenever and wherever
you choose. You’ll find PMD’s in the middle of the
day and caddis in the evenings. When the PMDs
come off, it’s a great time to be a fly-fisher on the
Missouri River.
4X fluorocarbon to my first fly, usually a scud or
sowbug pattern. From the bend of the scud, I add
another 18 inches of 5X and a midge pupa or a
slender little mayfly. A “B” shot or two goes above
the first tippet knot and gets the flies down.
Fix your indicator of choice to the main lead-er
approximately 6 feet above the shot and adjust as
necessary. w