Conditions At-a-glance
ok
Our Report
7 DAY OUTLOOK –
Overnight lows will keep the water temps down a bit but could warm as much as 5-8 degrees by 12-2pm. In other words no need to wake up too early!
TIPS OF THE WEEK –
1. The water flows are coming up a little and water temps are warming up a bit. Fish deep and slow if you do not see rising fish or prospect with smaller dries.
2. Chironomids and small dark nymphs have been fishing well.
3. March Browns are starting to make an appearance. Cloudy days with temps in the high 30’s to low 40’s are best for this hatch.
BEST TECHNIQUES – Nymphing deep and slow. Dries if you see rising fish.
Good luck and don’t forget to stop in our Philipsburg shop Flint Creek Outdoors and our NEW JACKALOPE JOE’S espresso bar! We’re open 7:30-5 seven days a week. Be sure to stop in to talk to Josh, grab a coffee, some Orvis gear, and flies from the the best fly selection in the region.
USGS Water Charts
Conditions
Good for this time of year. Water is starting to come up and temperatures are increasing.
The Hatch
Skwalas, march browns, nemouras, midges
Fly Patterns
NYMPHS - Pat's Rubber Legs, brown, #6-#10; Pheasant Tail Nymph, #14-18; Pink or hot bead red San Juan Worm #8-10; Montana Prince tan #12-16, double bead stone peacock or natural #8
DRIES - Griffiths gnat #18-20, purple haze #18-20
STREAMERS - Sparkle Minnow #6 in Olive; Zonkers #6, 8 in Natural, Olive, or Yellow; Kreelex Fly #6 in Copper/Gold, Gold/Silver, or Purple/Silver.
Specifics
Water Flow
577 cfs
Visibility
36"
Water temperature at mid-day
33-40 deg.
Water Condition
Clear
Best time of day to fish
Afternoons
Best stretch
The entire creek is fishing well.
Best access point
Upper: Gilles Bridge
Lower: Valley of the Moon
Fish species
Cutthroat, rainbow, cutt-bow, brown, bull, some brook trout, and whitefish.
Fishing season
Open year round, but catch and release for trout during winter.
Nearest airport
Missoula International Airport
Recommended fly fishing leader
9' 3x
Recommended fly fishing tippet
3x and 4x top to bottom bug respectively unless you are swinging streamers then bump up to 2x
Best fly fishing rod
Crisp 9' 5wt for nymphing but super fun spot to swing streamers with switch rods.
