Warmer days are beginning to nudge water temperatures upward, and recent rain and snowmelt have bumped flows slightly, leading to a bit of reduced clarity. As things warm through the morning, we’re starting to see some bug activity around 10 AM and again in the evening. Midges remain the most consistent hatch, with a few reports of early-season Nemouras and Capnia stoneflies showing up as well. These can occasionally get trout to look toward the surface, but it’s still a bit early for Skwalas, so most fish are staying subsurface for now.

Nymphing continues to be the most reliable tactic. A heavier stonefly nymph paired with a worm has been a productive setup, especially with the slight bump in flows. Another effective approach is running small black nymphs or emergers that imitate the early-season bugs currently in the system. Focus your efforts on deep pools, slow walking-speed tailouts, and deeper side channels, where fish tend to hold and conserve energy this time of year.

While there may be the occasional fish willing to rise during the warmer parts of the day, subsurface presentations are still the most consistent way to find success. Slow things down, stay near the bottom, and methodically cover the softer water where trout are likely to be hanging out.

Streamer fishing remains highly productive, and with minimal surface ice, access has been better than usual. Fish tend to be more lethargic in the cold, holding in deeper buckets and at the tailouts of runs, so focus on a low-and-slow approach. Large, dark patterns like Sculpzillas, Dungeons, Goldies, Sparkle Minnows, and Jigged Streamers.