The Kingfisher Fly Shop's Five-River Fishing Report

And They’re Off …

By The Kingfisher Fly Shop, 3-22-06

Bitterroot

3/22/2006

REPORTS: There are enough adult skwalas out and about and enough fish up and looking for 'em to consider the hatch officially on on the 'root. Expect to see good numbers of nemouras and midges as well. In somme of the calm backwater pools and slicks that you'll come across with fish rising in a very aggressive way, if they won't take your skwala, they'll almost surely eat a nemoura. The window of dryfly opportunity is windening considerably these days and the impending high 40s to mid 50s weather they're calling for will only reinforce that. The 'root should be a great option from here on out to high water.

Blackfoot

3/22/2006

REPORTS: This river is still behind the curve a bit, but the warm temperatures in the forecast won't take long to wake things up. The nymphing should become more consistent and slow moving and deeply presented streamers should begin working now as well. Don't look for much in the way of dryfly action yet, but it's fast becoming big fish time (especially on streamers) on this river. We think you have MUCH better alternatives on any of the other 3 local options through the weekend.

Clark Fork

3/22/2006

REPORTS: More action to be had these days on the Clark Fork. It's begun! There are good numbers of skwalas and nemouras and even baetis depending on where you are on the river. The upper section near Rock Creek and then the lower regions near Superior all seem to be about the best in terms of skwala numbers. The warm weather on tap should also turn on the early spring browns to your brown or olive streamers. The Clark Fork should see much less pressure, too, since the 'root is the one notorious for skwalas.

Rock Creek

3/22/2006

REPORTS: The warm weather will get the skwalas flying around a bit more and the fish up and looking for 'em. The nymphing has been consistent already, but the warm weather of yesterday and the next few days should set this place on fire! With the skwalas not being a linear progression hatch like the salmonflies, you could have good skwala activity from all the way down by the confluence clear up to Gillies Bridge. Look for dryfly opportunities to begin around 12:30 or 1. Make sure you're fishing deep droppers off the back of whatever dry you're tossing. Missoula weather: Today: Mostly cloudy. Isolated snow showers in the the morning...then scattered rain showers in the afternoon. Highs in the mid to upper 40s. Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Chance of rain and snow showers in the evening.. Then slight chance of snow showers after midnight. Lows in the 20s to lower 30s. Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 40s to around 50. Wednesday night: Partly cloudy. Lows 19 to 26. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the 50s. Thursday night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the 20s to lower 30s. Friday: Mostly cloudy with a 20 percent chance of rain showers. Highs in the upper 40s to mid 50s. Friday night and Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of rain showers. Lows in the mid 20s to lower 30s. Highs in the upper 40s to mid 50s.

Missouri

3/22/2006

REPORTS: Partly cloudy and a bit warmer. The lack of seroius wind should make for some more dryfly opportunity today, but expect most of that to be mid or late afternoon. Midges will still be the name of the surface game here, but oversized offerings with droppers should be a good option. Once again, our happy little #20 royal Wulff with some type of SHALLOW midge pattern should turn some heads for you. White or brown crystal buggers with brass eyes are also particularly good this time of year using a short leadered slime line. Good stuff Maynard!
Wolf Creek weather: Today: Mostly cloudy. Areas of fog in the morning. Isolated snow showers. Highs 30 to 40. East winds up to 10 mph. Today: Mostly cloudy with patchy fog early in the morning...then partly cloudy. A 20 percent chance of rain and snow showers. In the mountains...a 20 percent chance of snow showers. Highs 40 to 45. ..30 to 35 in the mountains. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy. Lows 15 to 20. South winds 5 to 10 mph. Thursday: Partly cloudy. Highs 45 to 50. ..around 40 in the mountains. South winds 5 to 15 mph. Thursday night: Partly cloudy. Lows 20 to 25. South winds 5 to 15 mph. Friday: Partly cloudy. Highs 40 to 50. South winds 5 to 15 mph. Friday night and Saturday: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of rain and snow. Lows 25 to 30. Highs 40 to 50.

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