Pre Runoff Fishing

SW Montana is in the last week or ten days of pre-runoff fishing conditions. The weather has been cool and stream flows are excellent.

The Big Hole is at a flow that is ideal. You should fish primarily nymphs with indicators but on cloudy days the fish will chase streamers very well. If you get some warmer temperatures in the after noon give skwalla stone flies a try.

The Beaverhead has a very good spring flow. Again nymphs are the primary way to catch fish right now. San Juan Worms and small may fly bead heads work well off an indicator. You can fish streamers when the skies are not too bright.

The Madison has been very good south of Ennis with stone fly nymph and bead head combinations.

Clark Canyon Reservoir continues to turn out very big rainbows stripping streamers or fishing various patterns on indicators. Stop at the local fly shops in Dillon for information on the fly of the day.

The Ruby and Jefferson Rivers are both a bit too off color to fish well so unless you get right up to the dam on the Ruby you are going to struggle.

Good luck and enjoy your early season fishing