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April awakens the angler on the Missouri and is the best month to experience Montana fly fishing as it was meant to be— empty boat ramps, not a float-tuber in sight, and miles of open water for your drift boat to explore.. Some of the biggest catches occurred last April…just look at the trophy trout from last April pictured below!
The magic of the Missouri River begins when water temperatures hit 50°F. The 6,000 trout per mile of the Missouri River begin to voraciously feed in anticipation of the spring spawn. Fish exit their deeper holes and transition into more likely (and accessible) waters. Aggressive and consistent takes from larger trout are quite common during this time of year, as the waters warm.
Historically, with average flows in the ballpark of 5,000 CFS, April water levels lend themselves to nearly any type of angling method. With well under 1.5” of rain, anglers who don a solid base layer, mid-layer and wading jacket will be well equipped. Daily highs of 50°-60°F can be expected. Whether wading or fishing from a boat, casting double-nymph rigs or swinging streamers, anglers can enjoy every stretch of river.
For the dry fly angler, April can offer a variety of opportunities that the winter did not. Midge hatches, Blue Wing Olives and March Browns will keep pods of fishing rising to the surface, when the moment is right. Driving over the Wolf Creek bridge, anglers can spot fishing rising the entire month of April.
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