REPORT:
This river is the sleeper right now. There is very good fishing to be had on the uppermost reaches of the river which have barely managed any bump in flow whatsoever this past month. Flows up here continue to be mellow with good water clarity and willing fish. Attractor dries and skwalas in the sunny weather and very fun streamer action in all weather. The mid river around Rock Creek to Tarkio is so-so right now, especially from a floating hazard standpoint, but the lower river around Forrest Grove down is giving up good fishing in nasty looking conditions. The fish are on the black streamers nearly dead-drifted against rocky banks (presumably for the salmonfly nymphs) and there have been enough salmonfly adults down there to motivate bigger fish to the surface in near zero visibility mud conditions. One of our favorite pastimes is dryfly action in muddy backwaters with caddis and green drakes in post peak static or falling water conditions. It’s good stuff. The Clark near St. Regis is down over 10,000 cfs since the 14th. . . and falling.
1/2 OFF Fridays. 50% Off your 1st dozen nymphs and dries! Every Friday – Every Week
HATCHES: Salmonflies, drakes, caddis, baetis.
FLIES: Big button emergers or parachute patterns for the March browns, standard skwala junk with 18″ droppers. Big prince nymphs, Peacock double beads, Griffith’s gnats and zebra midges on sunny days, slow moving crystal buggers or bunny junk in #8s that’re black, olive or rust, double dutch skwala, size 18 adams or purple haze.
Other Info: Buy a bottle of Kingfisher brand fly floatant and we’ll refill it for you for 1 measly dollar all year long!