The Kingfisher Flyshop's 5-River Fishing Report

Amazingly Mundane Yet Highly Uninteresting April Montana Fishing

By The Kingfisher Fly Shop, 4-13-06

Bitterroot

4/13/2006

REPORTS: Just what we need, more rain! At least you'll have some wind to go with it today, that'll be special. The 'root continues its painfully slow rate of recession with only a 60 cfs drop on the upper river and a 90 cfs flow reduction on the lower river near Missoula. Yesterday saw decent fishing with droppers and the occasional fish willing to eat on top. Once the wind hit, though, it shut down hard even on the good water. You'll catch fish up here if you're familiar with the happy runs and hit 'em hard, but it's no typical April picnic. Clarity remains marginal at best.\

Blackfoot

04/13/2006

REPORTS: The river's actually up about 20 cfs near Bonner in comparison to yesterday's reading. For a reference, it's up about 2,000 cfs more than on this date last year. This has NOT been a great April to fish so far. Ironic how the past few years have been an issue with extreme heat and lack of moisture. Oh well, that's what happens when you're a fish farmer!

Clark Fork

4/13/2006

REPORTS: Much like the 'root, the Clark is dropping but much more slowly than any of us would have predicted. Water clarity below Missoula is not good and water temps are cold. Above town here and below where Rock Creek dumps in the clearer water would be a better bet if you're committed to this river today. It'll be mostly a nymphing deal for sure.

Missouri

4/13/2006

REPORTS: If you thought it was tough before, enjoy the 50 mph wind gusts on tap for today. Lots of factors lined up against this choice today.

Rock Creek

4/13/2006

REPORTS: The upper end of the creek is fishing decently with nymphs and even a bit of heat of the day dryfly action. The flows are dropping fast and clarity is improving by the hour. As of this morning, the flow near Clinton is 574 cfs. Stick with stonefly nymphs and red San Juans up high and heat of the day try smaller skwala patterns with march brown dry droppers. Wading is back to its easy but slippery old self up here. The creek is a no-brainer option today.

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