Good morning from Swan Valley. A quick update this week — the river is fishing much the same as it did last week, and the weekend is shaping up beautifully.
Flows out of Palisades Dam are currently at 7,500 cfs, and we just got word from the Bureau of Reclamation that they’ll be bumping flows to 8,075 cfs today at 1:00 PM. A 575 cfs increase is a small enough step that we don’t expect it to affect the fishing much, if at all. Worth keeping in mind, though: as runoff gets going in the coming weeks, tributaries will start dumping in and we may see some cloudy water enter the system. Nothing to worry about yet — just something to watch.
Tactics are unchanged from last week. Focus on the warmest part of the day and fish the slow stuff — buckets, tailouts, deeper pools, eddies, and soft inside seams. Deep nymphing with a Zebra Midge or small Pheasant Tail off a heavier attractor remains the most consistent producer. Worms, Egg patterns, and Stonefly nymphs are popular attractors this time of year and for good reason. Streamer fishing is still productive — keep it low and slow. Hatches remain a midge & BWO show, so if you see noses go small, sizes 18 through 22, with a Parachute BWO or Griffiths Gnat on a long, fine leader.
The weather news is the best news this week. Today and Friday will be cold and snowy with highs in the mid-30s, but the clouds clear out for a beautiful weekend — Saturday is forecast sunny and 47, and Sunday climbs to near 59 and mostly sunny. If you’ve been waiting for a window, this is it. Dress warm for the morning, shed a layer by midday, and enjoy what will probably be the nicest weekend on the water so far this season.
The lodge opens May 1st, but our guides are running day trips right now — give us a call at 208.483.2222 and we’ll get you set up. Brody has the fly shop stocked with everything you need.
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Tight lines, The crew at TLAPC