Slow Burning Spring Dry Flies pt. 2

It seems too good to be true.

The rivers of western MT just keep on ticking. Even the ol' Clark Fork has come to life these last few days. Something for everyone out on the river lately and we are soaking it up. We have had a good run this (late) spring with happy repeat clientele and plenty of rising trout to boot. While the weather has swung from bluebird sunshine to blustery to costal Alaskan mist the fishing has remained consistent and at some times stellar. Stellar I say. The afternoon top water bite has spoiled us this year, so much so that we gotta go and do something special in June to top this.

This week the March Browns have popped in full will flotillas of the little kickers showing up like lunchtime clockwork. The fish have taken notice. The Skwala fishing is still the go-to for us daily boat jockys but a little mid-day head-hunting with the sneaky mayfly offers welcome variety. Tying on a #14 parachute behind the big bug or just straight up committing to the smaller fly has paid off recently with some stunning fish hitting the net. Don't just believe me, believe the pictures and the raving reviews.

Mr. Brown

Also Mr. Brown

Like all things that are good this cannot last forever. The specter of high water runoff is looming as the afternoons continue to get warmer. Second week of May? Sooner? With every rainy morning in the valley the snowpack coasts another day into the heat of summer. With our current 115% snowpack waiting in the hills the time is coming soon. The Big Hole will soon be calling us over the divide with relief from the monster, muddy, rock-grinding, tree-falling Bitterroot.

Until then. . . .

Bruce The Moose