Things are cold and wet today with more high elevation snow tonight predicted. Some rivers are getting their spring color to them while others are still a great option to wet a line. Starting to get into the time of year to expand into thinking of spring creek and stillwater fisheries but the rivers are still fishing decent. Plenty of snow in the mountains still so can't wait to see what the run off will do this year.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER cfs: 3,960

The stone has come up about two feet over the weekend so visibility is limited at the moment. Tonight's cold weather may slow it down a bit but we'll just have to wait and see. The Nymphing game has been pretty consistent especially in the morning with streamers working alright as well. Bright colors with flash and fire beads have been best for me lately. A few March browns, baetis, and midges on top but mostly fish have been feeding on the emergers of those species. Think the Mother's Day Caddis will have to wait, sorry Mom.

recommended flies: Rubberlegs, Double Bead stone, sparkle worm, sex fly, flash back pheseant tail, para Adams, BWO squeezer, CDC Baetis emerger, Bloom's Baetis nymph, Olive Zonker, Silvey's Sculpin.

GALLATIN RIVER cfs: 828

The Gallatin is getting high and muddy but not unfishable. The nymphing is great and streamers decent with dries becoming increasingly difficult. Be careful wading as even a slight increase in water level can make things difficult.

recommended flies: Lightning bug, King Prince, Bloody Mary, white Zonker, Rubberlegs, sparkle worm, BWO tilt wing.

UPPER MADISON cfs: 1,190

The upper is one of the best in terms of water clarity right now. A decent river to get into dry fly action with baetis and caddis. Getting some real good sized fish on sculpin and crayfish patterns with consistent fish caught across the board on nymphs. Definately worth the drive right now.

recommended flies: Bow River Bugger-olive, Chickabou Craw-rust, lightning bug, Mega Prince, red copper john, sex fly, para Adams, Para Baetis, BWO squeezer, Elk Hair Caddis.

LOWER MADISON cfs: 1,580

Still a ting of olive/brown color to the lower at the moment but it does have the most consistent flows of any river in the area and when flows are consistent so is fishing. Early in the day minnow and crayfish patterns trailed by a good baetis nymph or stonefly has proven to catch plaenty of fish. Lots of bugs hatching into the afternoons and even better if you hike up to Bear Trap Canyon. One of the best bets for the moment to fish, ah tailwaters how i love thee.

recommended flies: Snapping Craw, mini-loop sculpin, sculpzilla, deer hair bugger, red copper john, Double Bead Stone, sparkle worm, lightning bug, zebra midge, elk hair caddis, para baetis, para adams.

MISSOURI RIVER cfs: 8,920

The flows are high on the Missouri but being a tailwater it still produces great fishing especially if you know how to set when your indicator darts upstream. The streamer action is okay mostly with bright flashy white colors. Walk wading is very difficult when the water level is this high so a boat or pontoon is highly recommended.

recommended flies: micro may, grey twinkle, sex fly, copper john-amber, bloom's baetis nymph, disco midge, midge cluster, BWO squeezer, Para baetis.

SPRING CREEKS

The water is gin clear, the hatches coming off heavy, the trout plentiful and aggressive yet selective. One of my favorite places to escape the runoff blues is to book a day on Depuy's, Armstrong's, or Nelson's will be an experience you will not soon forget. Rod fees are still at $75 and worth every penny if you ask me, so treat yourself you deserve it.

recommended flies: King prince, lightning bug, ray charles, griffith's gnat, para baetis, wooly bugger-black, mini-loop sculpin.