Spring In Full Swing

Updated 4/01/2021 - Spring is in full swing this weekend. Temperatures rising to the mid-60s and water temps up in the upper 40s. All boat ramps are good to go EXCEPT ENNIS FAS, which is still covered in ice and not expected to be open for another couple months. Please be on the lookout for spawning rainbows and avoid walking on redds! Snowpack is currently sitting around 90%. Looking good so far. But could use a few more good storm cycles.

Nymphing is still the name of the game right now. Small turds, twenty incher, zebra midges, perdigons, cdc prince, and lightning bugs are all producing fish. Eggs have started to work as well. Double turds have been my best rig. Look for the slower deeper water to produce the most consistency. As these temps start climbing, the fish will start to move around more. We have seen fish move towards the faster water and shallow riffles above those slower deeper holes. Look for subtle drop offs and water speed changes out in the middle buckets.

Dry fly fishing has been decent. Be on the lookout this weekend. Forecast looks warm with some cloud cover. If you're fishing above Lyons Bridge, there’s a good chance you will see some rising fish. Files right now include #18 or #20 cluster midges and Griffith’s gnats. #18 Purple Hazeis another good one. As the water temps rise, be on the lookout for more BWOs.

Streamers can be productive as well. Tightlining and dead drifting smaller streamers will produce. The slower that streamer is moving the better. Keep it tight. Small natural, white, black, and olive sculpins are a good call. Try small lightning bugs behind these streamers. Don't be afraid to swing them either.

- MRFC Guide Borden Porter