Fishing Report - Early Spring 2023
This pre-runoff spring window is one of our favorite times of the year for fishing in the Flathead Valley. Spring is finally starting to outpower this never-ending winter. For most of the state, our snowpack is looking healthy. Good news for a great fishing season ahead!
Flathead River
[Kalispell + Whitefish + Columbia Falls + Bigfork]
The Flathead River is off to a great start this season with consistent action. The river has been holding steady at around 3700 cubic feet per second.
The best chance for your late winter/early spring cutthroat is still nymphing deep on the slow inside bends. There has also been midge activity on top when the weather is just right. Keep your eye on the forecast and try to get out on sunny days.
Try the usual suspects: SJW, G-bug, pink tungsten bead bunny jig
Missouri River
[Wolf Creek + Craig + Helena]
Clark Fork River
[Paradise + Plains + St. Regis]
We fished below St. Regis twice last week and it fished great. Try a skwala with a dropper. Although not much action on the surface, the stone fly down below got them good. Get out there and give it a shot the flows are great and there are not many boats out on the water.
Flathead Lake
[Kalispell + Whitefish + Columbia Falls + Bigfork]
Spring is a great time to be out on the lake in a boat with a cab and a heater, plus the fish are biting! We are having success catching lake trout on the delta near Bigfork. Half-ounce head white tub jig or whitefish slayer from Pete’s Tackle.
