March 8
Bigfork Anglers fly fishing report is brought
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anglers across western Montana.Check out our spring guide trip special
Nat caught this fish with legendary Flathead guide Jeromy Maynard on the Flathead River 2/28/10Blackfoot River: Still a bit cold but you could probably nymph up a few. You might find a few fish eating midges in the slower runs on the warmest afternoons.
Fly Patterns: Girdle bugs, epoxy stones, double bead rubber legs, Pink SJ worms, glo bugs, tung eggs, standard bead heads, black and olive buggers
Lower Clark Fork River: Running a skwala foamie and a deep whatever beadhead dropper should get some fish at this point. If nothing is happening go back to nymphing the sweet spots with stones, eggs, worms, and standard beadheads to get fish. The RIO Indicator Leaders work well to get your flies down quick and keep them there drag free. Streamers on a tip on the slow down stream troll almost always works this time of year. Look for deep slow winter type runs to be the most productive but some of the riffles should have some fish as well. Possibility of fish eating midges, BWOs, & Skwalas on the warmer afternoons exists. The water temp on the lower river is topping out in the mid 40's so the afternoon dry fly fishing should be worthy. Look for nemouras, skwalas, BWOs, and midges to all be in the mix.
Fly Patterns: Foam skwala variations, BWOs, midges, P-chute Haze, Small mayfly Cripples, Girdle bugs, epoxy stones, double bead rubber legs, prince nymphs, Pink SJ worms, glo bugs, tung eggs, standard bead heads, black and olive buggers
Flathead River: The water temp is topping out in the low 40's on the main river so warmer days might produce some midging fish along with some winter / spring stonefly activity (capnia, nemoura, skwala). The Middle Fork trib mouths are a good bet along with any other winter type holding water. Stonefly nymphs, eggs, worms, and standard bead stuff fished under an indicator deep and slow will be your best option. Deep slow streamers are also worth a try. RIO sinking Versileaders are great to keep your streamer down. This is the time of year the big migratory cutts get caught. Look out for shelf ice.
Fly Patterns: Small dark faom Skwalas, p-chute adams and Haze chutes, Girdle bugs, epoxy stones, double bead rubber legs, prince nymphs, Pink SJ worms, glo bugs, tung eggs, standard bead heads, black and olive buggers
Swan River: Upper river is closed until the 3rd Satuday in May. The lower river and bay are getting close. There are a few nice fish around but don't expect numbers. A little more water and a few degrees will pick things up.
Fly Patterns: Girdle bugs, epoxy stones, double bead rubber legs, prince nymphs, SJ worms, glo bugs, tung eggs, standard bead heads, black and olive buggers
