To give you an idea of the degree of low elevation snow melt, the Clark Fork is running 12,000 cfs near St. Regis compared to the historical average of 5,470.  That’s significant when you consider these elevated water levels have been the norm for most of the early season so far.  That’s a lot of impatient snow making tracks to the Pacific.  Hmmmmm . . .

We’ve been taking advantage of some good fishing pretty much river wide in any water that’s been stable or dropping for at least 2 days.  Fish have been willing to much pretty consistently all the way up from around Gold Creek clear down to the Superior area.  Nymping is still your best bet but we’ve had some pretty good afternoons on skwala dries (particularly on the lower river) and midge emergers and dries.  Slow moving bunny junk in olives and brows tightlined along grassy banks have been turning up some nice fish – many of them browns.

With more cooler and cloudy weather in the future, look for continued dropping flows unless heavy rains move in.  You can also count on considerably more elbow room along the Clark than on most of the other rivers.  Pay attention to the wind forecast, because the section below Petty Creek on down can treat you like a pissed off weasel in your sleeping bag if it gets to blowing this time of year.

 

HATCHES: midges,

Other Info: The Kingfisher is the largest dealer of Simms Fishing Products in the Rocky Mountains.

A Review of the Winston Fly Rod

For more info on the Winston Nexus Fly Rod