Better late than never, the bugs are out in force and the fish are totally tuned in. We put 50+ in the boat yesterday and saw bugs along the entire creek. I think this is going to be a terrific week with chances at honest 100 fish days. The rain has subsided and the creek is dropping. Clarity is 2.5 feet but flows are still pushy and some banks are simply unfishable due to the velocity along them. Please be careful on Rock Creek this year. It is a dicey place to float without a competent oarsman. Catpuke and the hot pink worm were the ticket.
Georgetown continues to be good. If you can row past all of the spawners there are great fish to be had in the shallows. We had a bang-up day two days ago with 40+ in the boat. I'm proud to report that these were nice bright trout, not the black spawners that many seem to target. Green scud, p.t., black lightening bug, olive bugger.
O.K. It was a great spring! The Blackfoot, Bitterroot and CF are fishing well. We are in a "once in a decade" period of clear water. There are big gray drakes, fluttering stones and some caddis out on all of our major rivers. The fish are tuned in to most of the usual patterns. This is always a tough time of year to predict but this year May will be exceptional. This is a big fish month. It's nice to see what's going on on the CF after the apocalyptic dam removal. Last week was very buggy on the lower river and the fishing was great. . Mayflies were nice and thick this whole week, but this last bump really fouled up the dry fly fishing program. That said, we had several good days with fish in the 15-19" category. What was most pleasing was the football-like shape of most of the fish and their general condition was excellent. Very much improved from even two years ago. Hooray! Next stop- drakes and big-ass stones! What a great time to fish in Montana! Given the cool forecast(and possible high-country snow this weekend) run-off should give everything a nice flushing. We did get a fair bit of snow two weeks ago, which effectively bolstered our meager snowpack. Still, things will be touch and go as far as late summer is concerned. June and July both look awesome. I think this high water will be over within two weeks and fluttering stones could very well be a week or two early on the Clark Fork. Call us for up to the minute salmonfly reports. Right now fishing on the Bitterroot, Blackfoot and CF is poor due to muddy and high H2O. The Missouri is fishing very well and we are headed there tomorrow. I'll post a report later. Check out our specials page for fishing/lodging deals on the lower Clark Fork, pike trips and late season discounts. If you want a great trip let out best guides give you a ton of memories. I have no doubt that RFO has the best guides in the Missoula area. No 9 to 5ers here! Latin Lesson for June: The delicious salmonfly is... Pteronarcys Californica. Don't try to say it while eating crackers!
Lastly, ( and most importantly)
Here is the deal... I have teamed up with our good friend John Perry, who is the owner of ther Clark Fork River Lodge< to offer a great package that is valid throught the rest of the season. 4 nights lodging and 3 days of fishing for $875.00 per person(based on double occupancy). Now this isn't one of those places where you will be stuck with other groups. YOU GET THE WHOLE LODGE! We are able to handle groups as large as 14 or as small as 2. No matter the number, you will not be mixed with anyone. Fishing on the Clark Fork is excellent and you can expect 20-40 fish days with the fine guides of RFO. Remember, we fish your hours. No 9-5ers here! Enjoy a day or two of trout fishing and then shoot off to the lower Flathead for a day of smallmouth bass and BIG pike. What a great way to mix up your fishing trip. Call us to find out more about when to come to make the most of this great deal. We look forward to helping you make Montana memories that will last a lifetime! As for the fishing, the Missouri is still on fire. Caddis and the usual itty bitty shiny nymphs are working. Rock Creek has been awesome with reports of 90 fish days. Yes, 90 fish days. San Juan and black stone nymphs are doing it. Lastly, Georgetown lake was as good as it gets with 40 fish in the boat. We had just a handful under 15 inches, with our two biggest taping at 21" and 22". Call us today to book your next trip.
