Summer is almost officially here, at least according to the calendar! The weather on the river certainly feels like summer, and it seems the fish are starting to get into that mindset as well. The river flows have been fluctuating, creating some interesting conditions, but overall, the fishing has remained quite consistent.

For the most part, the weather has been in the high twenties, although occasional rain has caused the temperature to drop briefly. With the constant threat of another flood or river shutdown, particularly at Ghost and Bearspaw dams, the flow rates have varied significantly. This inconsistency has affected fishing on certain days, but fishing tight to the banks has generally produced good results.

Recently, streamers have been the primary flies in use, with darker colors being particularly effective, especially for anglers fishing from the bank. For those floating, the most productive setup has been a double streamer rig, featuring a flashy fly at the front and an olive or black streamer as the trailer. In terms of locations, while fishing close to the banks has been reliable, when the river levels drop, the fish tend to move to riffles or current breaks. This shift appears to be linked to clarity; these areas allow sediment from the dams to settle or be filtered, giving fish a better visual advantage. Therefore, it's essential to keep an eye on the flow rates, as they can significantly affect your fishing locations and tackle choices.

The dry fly fishing has also been decent, with better action reported in the late afternoon rather than early in the day. Currently, the most effective bugs include caddis flies, some PMDs, and a few stoneflies. Similar to the streamer fishing, the best dry fly action has been close to the banks. When fishing caddis or PMDs, you can either use a single adult fly or combine an adult pattern with an emerger style pattern behind it. While using the same bug for both setups can work, don’t hesitate to mix it up—try pairing a caddis in front with a PMD behind, or vice versa.

When deciding what tackle to use, the first step is to determine whether you’ll be fishing dry flies or streamers. Once that’s settled, there are a few technical details to consider. For streamers, there are three main strategies. First, use a sink-tip line with a short leader. Second, go with a floating line and a fluorocarbon leader. Third, you can use a floating line with a standard leader, adding a heavy streamer and a split shot on a standard monofilament leader. 

If you’re fishing dries, there are two primary setups. For smaller dries, opt for a 3x or 4x monofilament leader that is 9-14 feet long. If you’re planning to fish a hopper-dropper setup with stoneflies, a 2x monofilament leader that is 7.5-9 feet long will provide the necessary strength to turn over those heavier rigs.

The most important takeaway is to always check the flow rates on the day you plan to fish, as they will determine your focus areas and may influence your fishing style. If you’re unsure about the flow rates, please don't hesitate to call us or stop by the shop for advice. We are always happy to chat about fishing!

Weather/Flow Rates, Follow The Link's Below: