The Missoula fly fishing report this week is a little uncertain. Last week was some of the best early season Skwala fishing I’ve ever seen with warm days and lots of dry fly trout after lunch. Unfortunately the weather has been a little too warm. Add a hefty dose of rain on top of that and all of our local streams are on the rise big-time. The quickest fix would be some well below freezing nightime temps, but it doesn’t look like that is in the cards and there is even some more rain in the forecast. If we don’t get too much of the wet stuff the rivers will at least stabilize in the next couple of days and start clearing. Wade fisherman are going to have to sit on the sidelines for a while unless you know of some sneaky side channel action. Floating anglers can expect decent results as soon as the rivers level off. It will be a different game now though. Nymphs and streamers will be the main players although you will still be able to solicit some dry fly eats in the exact right type of water-think slow and near the banks. We never know what to expect in the spring. We hope for the best and plan for the worse. The rivers should find a balance soon and we can get back out there. One thing is certain, the increased flows are going to push some big fish out of their hidey holes and they will have to take up residence where anglers will get a shot at them. I will be busy tying flies for the next couple days and then I’ll be back on the water later this week.
