Runoff Starting. Freestones opening Up.

Blackfoot River at Russell Gates the other day. Looks like great spring conditions.

We don’t really have a “beginning” to the season on the Missouri River. It get fished all winter long, and we just kinda ease into spring. But if you’re a fan of the many great freestone rivers in Montana, you know that the beginning of early low elevation runoff is when they go from low and locked up, to floatable and fishable. A little water into the system warms things up and gets the trout active and moving.

Significant and wet now fall in recent weeks, followed by unseasonably warm weather, has loosened up local rivers like the Blackfoot. For the next few weeks, fishing conditions should be good as the weather has begun to cool back down to normal average temps. But that shot of high and dirty water should get the fish moving. A great time to throw streamers and big junk rigs. Depending on when and where you are you might get into some Skwalas as well.

Early season freestone favorites include large marabou and bunny streamers moved deep and slowly along calm banks and inside seams. Nymphing should include a red-worm pattern, with a large attractor nymph or stonefly pattern. Takes with either method can be subtle.

Remember to check the regulations before you hit the water. Bigger rivers like the Blackfoot and Big Hole are open, but many of the tributaries and smaller rivers remain close until the 3rd Saturday in May. For us locally, that means the Dearborn and Little Prickly Pear are closed.

Make sure and keep tabs on Regional rivers on our ENVIRONMENT page, by checking streamflow and snowpack numbers. More weather is on the way, so things will continue to change.

Look at the edges and off the tail of submerged islands to see if the clarity is there for fishing. Answer here is yes.