We’ve been flirting with actual spring weather a few times over these past two weeks only to be rudely thrust back into winter. This time it looks like it might be for real.

The weekend ahead could be the nicest we’ve seen in 2018 with plenty of sunshine and temperatures in the low 60’s on Friday and Saturday and looking ahead to next week it looks like that trend will continue.

If you’ve been itching to get out and fish but have been waiting for the weather to turn it’s GO TIME!

Most of the water around the region is on the rise and the Missouri is about to become a VERY busy place as anglers,  outfitters and guides from around the state converge on our little corner of the world in search of fishable water.

The Missouri has also been bumping up over the past week and while the current flows may present some challenges for the wading angler, we’re LOVING where we’re at (7800 cfs). If you like nymphing and/or streamer fishing and you don’t mind fishing from a boat you won’t be disappointed.

Bring plenty of Wire Worms and Tailwater Sows and run a little deeper than what you’ve been doing, maybe with an extra bb or two. It’s about to turn on! How’s the streamer fishing you ask? As always, it has its moments. If you’re looking for numbers stick with the nymphing. If you’re looking for that one monster brown to crush your streamer then you should expect to spend a lot of time casting and stripping and NOT catching fish but it could happen at any time…you just never know.

A lot of folks like the idea of streamer fishing and like the possibility of hooking into a Missouri River Leviathan but lack the patience to spend hours not catching fish when they could be cleaning up bobber fishing.

I overheard a pretty typical conversation between a guide and his client the other day. The client had expressed interest in streamer fishing (likely after spending too much time in the shop at WCA immersed in streamer speak). The guide was attempting to put together a plan for the day to accommodate only to be told by the client that if there was a good streamer spot where they could anchor up and fish for ten minutes then that would be enough streamer fishing for the day.

Now I’m not saying you can’t eye up a good streamer spot and anchor and beat up the water for ten minutes and hook a good fish but it generally doesn’t work that way. It usually requires committing to it for at least a few hours. Action comes in spurts….sometimes it doesn’t come at all. It’s all part of the deal. We love fishing streamers and we love guiding  streamer trips but if you’re looking for numbers you should stick to nymphing.

Waiting for Dry Fly Fishing? It’s happening daily! Widespread reports of BWO’s and midges a plenty and even the occasional Skwala getting crushed in the canyon.

Reports from the past few days have been all over the board but that’s due in part to having to re-adjust to these higher flows. We’re on the verge of being completely dialed at these flows so do yourself a favor and hire a guide for the day…you’ll be glad you did and you’ll be especially glad if you do it by the end of April and take advantage of our spring special. Get two nights of premium lodging and a full day on the water for just $550. Starting May 1st this same package will cost you over $800!

Don’t miss out on this opportunity. The fishing and the weather are heating up and you’ve still got two weeks to save a bundle while fishing one of the best trout rivers in the world with some of the best guides in the west.

Lodging is filling nicely but we’ve got everything opened up now so chances are if you’re looking to head this way we should be able to accommodate.

Don’t let April pass you by.