It's On!

There are a few heralding events every spring that bring the true fly fishermen out in droves to test their skills on some very finicky and sometimes seemingly impossible rising fish. The ice has opened up on the lakes and even the stubborn two acre berg that drifts back and forth with the wind has disappeared on Holter, which means the water temps are warming in the lake translating to warmer water releasing from the dam. Modest midge hatches have kept the die-hards interested for the latter part of the winter on those days where the wind lies down but as the water temps reach the forties, a noticeable aggression increases on the Missouri as fish stack up on flats and rise with an intense predictability. I've been out a few days a week in the past month checking out the activity and getting a feel for where the fish are in their spring awakening and have to say, yesterday brought a sign of really good things to come.

We put in at Craig at around 1pm. At 2:30, we were only about 100 yards from the bridge and still had plenty of targets until the wind picked up, scattering the bugs and putting the fish down. It started out epically. The wind was almost completely still as thousands of midges danced on the surface. Trout were sipping across the entire flat with an occasional slap and a swirl as some fought to protect their lane. There were so many bugs it was almost impossible to find your fly amongst the smorgasbord. Changing to a colored post on a parachute Adams as the lead fly definitely helped; it also produced about half the takes.

When the wind did finally pick up, (as it almost always does,) we headed downstream, nymphing the flats, picking up some fish here and there. Finding pockets that were a little sheltered almost always produced more rising fish. They weren't shy either. At one point we even saw a couple blue winged olives. Get ready boys!

Until next time, keep 'em where they live.