Great Falls, Montana Fishing Report 04.04.19
Missouri River
The weather is here, and the fishing is beautiful. It’s fishing license season. Fly sales are finally surpassing fly tying materials as people take to the waters. Many people are looking for fresh fly lines and stocking up on flies, leaders, and tippet. New rods, reels, waders, and boots are heading out.
April is the month that the fly fishing season really kicks into gear as more and more opportunities unfold. To start the month, the Missouri is an excellent choice. Soon, we’ll have ice out on all the lakes and it will be hard to decide from many great options.
Trout Spey
Swinging flies continues to be productive with more and more brown trout in the mix. Lots of colors and styles of flies are working. Every fly I’ve tried over the past month has gotten grabs. If it looks like a minnow, leech or crayfish, you should expect some tugs.
I’ve switched from a Scandi long leader set up to running mostly Skagit with 8-12-foot tips. Fish are responding well in slightly quicker water and along deeper seams. You need to keep your fly down where they live.
Streamer Fishing
As with the trout Spey, the streamer fishing can be good. Keep your flies low and relatively slow for now. Once the water temperatures begin to top 40 degrees, the fish will be more willing to chase a quicker retrieve. If you fish low and get into some green water, articulated streamers will move the larger browns. The mini dungeon and mini barely legal can be excellent along with larger bang tails.
Nymphs
Pink fire bead scuds and sows, worms, zebra’s, and tufted zebras will get bit when drifted through the fish. On my last outing, almost every boat that drifted into view hooked a fish, or three, before they were out of sight. Most anglers are running relatively long leaders. You’ll want to keep those flies right near the bottom.
Dry Flies
Cluster midge, Griffith’s gnat, skittering zelon midge, fore and aft midge and pulsating emergers are all in play depending on what you see on the water. If you are fortunate to find a pod of fish sucking down clusters in the current, then the cluster midge or the Griffith is ideal. If you find fish sipping in soft water, or working hatchlings, you might need to go stealthy with a single adult or emerger pattern.
Midge hatches have been strong most days. It’s the weather that often dictates the feeding behaviors on top. Wind will generally kill your surface action. Plus, we are on the cusp of bwos. Water temperatures on the lower river have topped 40 in the afternoons. We might see a few by this weekend. I know I will be looking.
Creeks and Smaller Rivers
The Missouri River is not the only game in town. We’ve had some great reports from the creeks and smaller rivers lately. The warmer the weather, the more runoff you will likely encounter. It’s a funny game. Chill weather often means better fishing the following day. Warm and windy days can quickly lead to brown water.
Ice Out
I’ve heard some whispers of tiny open leads in places, but the bulk of our waters are still covered.  In another week, we should be seeing a few more openings. It’s coming! Upper Holter has open water. Holter is beginning to open a little. Eventually, the lakes along the front will follow suit. Lots of balanced leeches heading out the door. Anticipation is high.
See past reports from the Great Falls region here, or click here to view all northwest regional reports.
Upcoming Event
- Fly Fishing 101-Learn to Fly Fish-Free Introduction Classes Saturdays @ 10 a.m. April and May
For More Information: Please contact Great Falls North 40 Fly Shop.