Nice fish on a skwala dry from the Root this week.

General Outlook: The rivers have all dropped and there are plenty of options again. Cold nights and highs approching 50 will keep the flows stable and the afternoon fishing good, depending on where your headed. The Bitterroot is fishing good and the next few days should be EPIC dry fly fishing.

Blackfoot: The B-foot has dropped a bunch but is still up a bit. head to the upper river with some nymphs and buggers and you should be able to catch some fish.
Fly Patterns: Girdle bugs, db Stones. SJWs, general beadheads, Glo bugs, buggers / streamers, skwalas. 

Lower Clark Fork: Still a little high but on a steady drop and fishing. Nymphs and buggers are going to give the most results but the skwala should get some eats in the afternoon. Look for March browns to increase in numbers and the fish should respond.
Fly Patterns: Girdle bugs, db Stones, prince nymphs, fb p-tails, SJWs, Glo bugs, buggers / streamers, purple haze chutes, p-tail cripples, foam skwala stuff

Flathead: The main stem is a little high but there is good vis. They are ramping flows out of the South Fork so head up to Blankenship or the forks to get more managable flows. Nymphs and buggers slow and low.
Fly Patterns: Pats rubber legs / girdle bugs, db epoxy stones, 20 inchers, general beadheads, pink stuff, glo bugs, sj worms in pink or red, buggers, streamers, foam skwala variations, midges, bwos.

Swan: The upper is closed through the 3rd saturday in May. Streamers and nymphs fished slow and deep will be your best bet for the lower river and bay.
Fly Patterns: Pats rubber legs / girdle bugs, db epoxy stones, 20 inchers, general beadheads, pink stuff, glo bugs, sj worms in pink or red, buggers, streamers

Two is better than one.......a nice pair from the Root a few days ago.

 

Jason Lanier
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