Conditions At-a-glance
ok
Our Report
BEST TECHNIQUES – Dries with a medium-depth dropper, nymphing
TIPS OF THE WEEK –
1. As the water rises look for fish to hang out near the banks and soft edges around structure.
2. Nymph slow deep pools.
3. There may be fish rising to midges, skwalas, BWO’s, or March Browns. Keep an eye out!
7 DAY OUTLOOK – Spring flows are good.
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.
The Hatch
Midges, skwalas, bwo's, march browns
Fly Patterns
NYMPHS - Pat's Rubber Legs, brown, #6; Hare's Ear Nymph, #10-14; Pheasant Tail Nymph, #14-18; Pink San Juan Worm, #8-10; Montana Prince, tan, #12-16
DRIES - Griffiths Gnat #16-20; Purple Haze #16-20
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
1230 cfs near Clinton
Visibility
20"
Water temperature at mid-day
48 deg.
Water Condition
Slightly Stained
Best time of day to fish
Late morning to late afternoon
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.
