Mo Report 3.30.2015

In like a lion. Out like a belching lamb. Oh, if the wind would only moderate. If you wait for it to stop, you won’t get in much fishing time, but it sure would be nice if it would quit once in a while. Like on a day when I can actually go fishing. Like this past Saturday when gusts were beyond 40mph.

While the incessant wind can be frustrating for casting and drifting, it does have one positive. Our water is warming up much faster this spring. With lower flows not likely to change anytime soon, we are quickly moving into spring conditions. That means more bugs and fish moving into faster runs. It’s already happening. Baetis and March Browns will be coming on soon. Caddis are just around the corner.

Dries?

Midges are hatching, but wind is the biggest issue with finding rising fish. Tiny parachutes are a good bet for risers.

The Skwala stoneflies are definitely present. You will never see lots of them, but the fish know what they look like. Try a dry dropper rig if you feel like it.

Emergers
I fished some size #20 soft hackles last week. I found plenty of fish that liked them. We’ve got the Pulsating Emerger in Black and Gray. It’s been a go to for years now. We’ve also got Charlie’s Ice Breaker in red and black. It’s a sweet little softy with a bit of UV going on.

Nymphs
Scuds and Sow bugs are good. Czech Nymphs, Amex and Tailwater Sow Bugs are great weight flies. Dropping off a Zebra Midge is always a good choice. Little mayfly nymphs like the Green Machine can also get it done. Small purple nymphs must look tasty because we sell lots of them. Try a Bruised BWO or Purple Lightning Bug. You can also change it up and twitch an olive/brown rubber legs here and there along the shorelines.

Streamers
Maybe. Sometimes hot, sometimes cold, always fun. Larger stuff is starting to work. Medium speed water and retrieves. Not fast yet. Sunny days call for flash. Overcast is best without flash. Yellow/White or Olive/Black are good bets. Or just fish a Coffee Sparkle Minnow.