Heavy rains this week with the start of spring runoff has the river flowig high, muddy, and turbid. The headwaters will be more fishable than the lower elevation stretches of the river, but the mud's a constant no matter where you go. But hang tight— tributary opener is right around the corner (05/17) and it won’t be long before we can head out and explore some smaller, clearer waters. Until then, we’ll need to make the best of the main river conditions.

Even with the higher flows and murkier water, the fish are still feeding consistently. It might be a bit trickier to entice them with a dry fly, given the water clarity, but you can usually find a trout willing to rise in the afternoon. We recommend darker-colored Water Walkers, Chubby Chernobyls, or cadddis patterns for your dry fly setup.

Given the conditions, nymphs are your best bet. San Juan Worms are really effective in these muddier waters. Paired with a black or coffee and black Pat’s Rubber Legs should get it done. 

Streamers are also a solid choice this time of year! Big, dark streamers offer a better profile for fish to spot, especially on those rainy days we’re expecting throughout the week.