Things on the MO starting to shape up as the last official day of winter comes and goes. Spring like weather forecasted for the week ahead, lets see if the fishing follows suit. Reports circulating around the breweries in town have been positive with lots of people exploring lots of water with the recent warm up. Good ole’ reliable MO has been holding pretty steady in the mid to high 4K range, typical for this time of year; nice considering the big rains this weekend spiked a bunch of other gauges all over the state.  For all you guys poking around below Hauser its been steady water as well and great fishing as Strainer displays above.

Lots of boats on the water this weekend checking out all 36 miles of famous Missouri River tailwater. Different techniques from top to bottom with good reports in the subsurface department and a handful of folks talking about the surface. Midges have been plentiful over the last several days with some fish keying in on them when the wind dies down enough to give them a chance. With the warm weather forecasted and the wind that generally accompanies, I wouldn’t hold my breath but ‘ me. Quite honestly I’ll hold out until the Baetis really start popping to break out the dry rod. Springtime for me is for streamer fishing and it hasn’t been disappointing. If you’d rather follow a bobber that’ll work too.  Humble fly suggestions to help you kick off spring…

Streamers: Kreelex, Sparkle Minnows (Ghost, Pearl & Olive), Skiddish Smolt, Polar Minnows (Tan & Black),                                                Flash Minnows & Kiwi Muddlers

Nymphs: Amex, FB Rays, Rainbow Czechs, Rainbow Warriors, Tung. Flash Bugs, Lightning Bugs (Pink &Purple), Green Machines, Love Bugs & Zebras

Dries: Midge Clusters, Hi-Vis Para Midge, Griffiths Gnat, Hanging Midge, Miracle Midge….Midges, smaller the better.

Shameless Hank Patterson Promotion: Only 24 Hours until the Helena premiere of Hank Patterson’s Reel Montana Adventure!! The Helena Independent Record caught up with Hank for a few words about the movies, check out the article HERE. Still have a handful of tickets left in the Helena shop or online HERE. B.Y.O.B  pre-party at Cross Currents starting at 4:30 with a BBQ benefiting the Pat Barnes Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Hank will be there hanging out before the showing. We’ll be raffling off a chance to have breakfast at Steve’s Cafe with Hank and an Orvis Encounter Rod Outfit. Bound to be a great evening benefiting a great organization!

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeIP_GyZrLc&w=560&h=315]

~Cheers, Chewy