Mother Nature has been very nice lately, lots of rain and some snow in the high country is always nice to see this time of year. Our temps have been trending in the 50’s-60’s daily and the night time lows have kept our upper level snow pack locked up. This in turn has created some very good fishing conditions on basically all of our rivers.
Big Hole: The river is flowing around 3000 cfs currently and is the perfect Tea color that we love. The caddis are pretty much gone on the lower river but have been thick up above Divide. We have seen some decent hatches of mayflies lately and occasionally the fish are willing to look up and eat cubbies and attractors. Overall, nymphing and dragging streamers has been the most effective form of fishing. The main question we have been getting is about Salmon bugs. No they aren’t here yet. I think a safe assumption would be for the 10th of June. Thats what our crystal ball is telling us.
Beaverhead: The river has been fishing consistently from the damn down. With the current rain storms we have been getting on and off, expect some off color water out of Clark Canyon Creek. Worms, sowbugs, midges, and BWO patterns have been the meal ticket. The river is currently low, as they are holding back water to help fill the reservoir, so wade fishing can be more effective in zones.
Jefferson: The J has been on and off this spring. When she is online, the fishing has been RED HOT! When she is murky, definitely head elsewhere. The dry fly fishing isn’t quite there yet, but you can always throw the chubby dropper combo and cruise the edges. Streamer fishing has been marginal this spring as a whole with a few moments of greatness and a lot of casting in between. Nymphing with stones, worms, caddis, and mayfly patterns has then more effective.
Madison: Earlier this month is was just about perfect flow and clarity wise. As of late, the clarity has dropped and the fishing hasn’t been quite as good. Some great reports of retrieving streamers though, so don’t let the brown water fool you!