June 3rd Salmonfly Hatch

Water Conditions

Normally rivers in our area are pretty messy during the first weeks of June, but because of the early heat that we had in April and no major rain events we are sitting at a pretty great level for fishing.

Of course what is at the back of everyones mind is what this means for later in the year when things are hot and dry.

Time will tell I suppose.

But right now this means that we have awesome water clarity for the emergence of Salmonflies!

As you can see we have quickly fallen out of the normal range of flows on the Crow and are also below normal flow levels on the Tailwater.

I had the opportunity earlier in the week to wander the mountains in the area around the headwaters of the Oldman.

I couldn't believe how good the rivers looked.

Once things open up on June 16th there will be some great fishing.  

Bugs Observed

Salmonflies have been emerging all week and fish are definitely seeing the adults now.

They are super vulnerable to trout when they come back to lay eggs and this year the river levels and clarity make it very fishable!

Other hatches you might find on the river right now are: Yellow Sally Stoneflies, March Brown Mayflies, or Grannom Caddis.  

Suggested Gear and Flies

Right now is no time for small tippet or lightweight rods.

Ideal Rod: 9 foot 6 weight.

Line/Leader: Floating 6 or 7 weight line with a 9 foot 3x leader.

Flies: Salmonflies are BIG so throwing a dry /dropper rig that combines a high floating foam or deer hair attractor like a Stimulator or Chubby Chernobyl with a beadhead or weighted nymph like a Prince Nymph or Pheasant Tail is a good combo and fun to fish.

Make sure the body colour of the dry is orange to match the adult Salmonfly.

Here's a good diagram of how to rig a dry dropper system.

During our last trip to the river there was a definite shift away from the Woolly Bugger, toward smaller nymph patterns.

We had a number of grabs on Beadhead Pheasant Tails and 20 Incher Nymphs in the size 10 and 12 range.

Fishing Tactics

Wet wading in early June, what?

Water temp was up to 15C at midday on the Crow during our last trip.  

Kinda scary for this time of year but pleasant for wading.  

The trout were also pretty active with the higher water temps.

Walk and wade fishing and blind casting a dry dropper rig into the likely spots is productive right now.

Work your way upstream and only wade when you have to.

With the higher water levels right now you'd be surprised at how many fish are sitting close to the bank.

So drop a fly into any likely looking water before wading into it.

Fishing upstream and prospecting with a dry dropper rig is some of the most fun fishing.  

Definitely a nice change from chucking heavy nymph rigs or streamers.

Thats all for this week but here are few fish pics and a fun fishing video from Montana to get you hyped up!