Spring Fishing in Missoula Montana
/Five reasons why spring might be your best shot at that fish of a lifetime.
The early bird gets the worm
If you’ve ever been out on the river on a sunny spring day you may have looked around and wondered… where is everybody? It is easy to find your own space this time of year and the fish have had a few months to recover and forget some of the lessons they learned last July. The first sunny weekend in March is sure to bring out some fisherman eager to wet a line but the pressure is nowhere near what you will find in the middle of July. Less pressure means the bigger fish are less likely to have had a bad experience in the days leading up to your time on the water and if you can put your fly in the right places you will have a better shot at that fish of a lifetime.
2. Timing is everything
With the days being shorter and water temps on the downhill side of 40 degrees the fish are restricted to a narrower feeding window while they take advantage of there warmer water temps produced by the mid-day sun. This means the biggest fish in the river will be feeding right during the middle of the day instead of at first and last light. This puts the odds in the favor of the fisherman.
3. The calm before the storm
Rainbow and Cutthroat trout spawn in the spring so they are starting to move out of their winter pool and make their annual pilgrimage to their spawning groups. They won’t hesitate to pounce on an easy meal while they stock up for their long journey that awaits them. This means fishing big bugs for big fish. Who doesn’t love that? Stoneflies and Streamers are great choices this time of year as they provide a big meal that will help the fish load up on energy as the prepare for spring runoff.
4. Location, location, location
The water is typically low and clear this time of year and with the reduced water temps the fish are somewhat restricted in where they can hold. This limits the water that we have to cover in search of fish. When you find one fish you generally find a bunch, it is not uncommon to catch 5-10 fish out of a hole this time of year. Like bass, it is possible to get the “school” fired up and you can get into some great action without having to cover a lot of water.
5. The proof is in the pudding
If you look at the photos or ask your guide when there favorite time to fish is 9 times out of 10 you will get the same answer… March & April. The weather can be unpredictable and you won’t be fishing in flip flops but for the serious angler there is no better time to be on the water. Our guides go the extra mile to make sure you are as comfortable as possible so you can go out there and swing for the fences!