Craig Montana is alive!!
Report:
The flows are now about 3,880 cfs (normally ~5210). Water temps at the dam are ~51, a bit warmer down river. Run Off is in the process and on the fall in some places. The Dearborn is dropping and clearing and now open to fishing. The MO below the Dearborn is looking great. With higher water temps we are now seeing a few more bugs species out there, including the much waited upon, Caddis. The fish should look up for several types of dries through out a day. There are still plenty of Midges, BWO’s and March Browns to get fish up top as well and the nymphing is better as well when you see more bugs out. Find yourself a pod of risers and make that first cast count.
Please be careful wading as to not step on the rainbow trout redds (spawning beds).
Hauser (or “LOG”) is past the peak but you’ll still find lots of fish up there albeit some tired trout. There are still lots of people fishing it and it will be good for another few weeks. Try a Pink Lightning Bug behind a Firebead Czech. PLEASE be careful not to step on any redds and please don’t be greedy and fish directly over spawning trout. You wouldn’t like it if someone busted into your bedroom at the heat of the moment so let the trout do their thing too!
You can keep an eye on Canyon Ferry Reservoir levels, weather and of course, streamflows on our Streamflows page.
See our Schools & Instruction Page for more information on our Fly Tying Schools and our 3-Day Fly Fishing School.
(We are posting river, weather and fishing conditions throughout the day on our Twitter feed. That is a great way to keep up with the dynamic conditions of the Season. If you use Twitter, please sign up to follow CrossCurrentsMT and you’ll get the latest, up-to-the-minute information. Please keep up with us on our
Hatches:
Baetis (BWO), Midges, March Browns, Caddis
Dries:
-#18-#20 Parachute Adams
-#18-#22 CDC Hanging Midge
-#18-#22 Sprout Emergers
-#12-#16 March Browns
-#16-#18 Buzz Ball
-#16-#20 H&L Varient
-#14-#18 CDC Para Caddis
Nymphs & Streamers:
San Juan Worms
-#14-#18 Firebead ____ (something -they all are working)
-#14-#16 Tungsten Weight Flies (Rainbow, Purple)
-#16-#18 Lightning Bugs (Pink, Silver, Gold)
-#18-#22 Mirage Nymphs
-#16-#20 Superflash PT
-#18-#20 Zebra Midges (Black, Red, Purple)
-#18-#20 Love Bugs
-#6-#10 Buggers (Black, Black & Grizzly, Olive)
-#4-#6 Conehead Kiwi Muddler
-#4 Skiddish Smolt
-#2-#6 Fish-Skull MO-Minnow