Montana Spring - recommendations

[steveg137]

Hi there

Last spring I had a spring trip to San Juan NM.

This year I’m thinking about an April or May trip to MT.

Ideally I’ll be able to wade fish, perhaps 1 day paid float.

Can’t manage hard wading or hiking.

Any tips? Doesn’t need to be MT but that’s next on list of places I don’t been.

Appreciate any help.
Thanks
Steve

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

July - September is very popular....

I will check with friend in Missoula for you.

[StevenB]

Ya, like Bill mentioned, April/May may be a little early for MT. Depends on the Winter they had and what water you are thinking of fishing.
Been a lot of years since I was there, but back in the old days the Yellowstone River did not even open for fishing until July 15th.
Take a look at the Bitterroot, was my favorite river in MT.

[mems]

West Fork of the Bitteroot looks good now, skwalas coming off and nice water level, 250cfs. Good luck, Mems.

[Garrett S]

Fishing is great right now around missoula but it won't last long. Most of the states snowpack is over 100% and the next string of warm days will most likely blow out the rivers. The root is still at a stable level and the Clark is steadily rising but still fishable

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Here is some feedback fro, my friend in Missoula:

Bill,
Normally I would say that the first two weeks of April would be my recommendation but we are still getting snow and projected to get a mix of rain and snow each day past the 15h of April. May is usually mud month with the beginning of May and into a little of June. We are at 133% of normal with our snow pack so I don’t know what to say the best time is for this year.

I would still have anyone contact the Grizzly Hackle for additional fishing informant.

We have a lot of places to stay in the area including cabins to rent along the Bitterroot and Rock Creek.

Sorry I’m not much help but this spring is much more difficult to predict.
David

Grizzly Hackle contacts:
Brenden, Matt, or Rick

[ifsteve]

Ya, like Bill mentioned, April/May may be a little early for MT. Depends on the Winter they had and what water you are thinking of fishing.
Been a lot of years since I was there, but back in the old days the Yellowstone River did not even open for fishing until July 15th.
Take a look at the Bitterroot, was my favorite river in MT.

The Yellowstone River not opening until July 15 was ONLY in Yellowstone Park. Now that said. Others have made some sound advice This isn't the spring to give MT a go. Family in Bozeman told me they had three more inches of snow last night.

Here's a link to the snowpack as of today.

https://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref...mal_update.pdf

[steveg137]

Super helpful everyone going to check out those resources and keep eye on the conditions.

If anyone has any other out state reco for April May love to know.

Thanks all

[Frank R. Pisciotta]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned tail-waters.

I'm going to the Bighorn in eastern MT for the 1st brood BWO hatch in two weeks. Also in MT there is the Missouri & the Beaverhead. And yes, the San Juan and Green to mention a couple more in New Mexico & Utah, respectively. A caveat; be prepared for inclement weather. On the Beaverhead, I've experienced my best 3 hours of emerging BWO's and rising trout during a blizzard.

...another choice is the Lower Sac...entailing a lot less travel...before flows increase.

Frank R. Pisciotta
www.cyberfly.com
530-587-7333

[yubaman]

Only thing there with the tailwaters, is that it's largely a floating game, not a ton of quality wading opportunities. The freestones . . . the Big Hole, Rock Creek, etc. will in all probability be running extremely high during that time. Even the smaller streams . . . Wise River, Flint Creek, etc. should be raging. Maybe the Lower Ruby or West Fork Bitterrooot below the dam?