With this warm weather, the high water has started! With the CFS and height of the rivers going up, the fish tend to take cover from the turbid water in tributaries and large pools. While we can't target the tributaries just yet, we can start long leashing nymphs for those fish disturbed by the muddy cold water. Skwalas are coming off in full all the way up the river now, and Pat's rubber legs are our nymphs of choice, along with double beaded stones and TJ Hookers in peacock. A lot of times, as sediments get washed down river, the only thing that will pull a fish out to feed is a classic San Juan worm. Despite many people's prejudice towards this fly, it will always continue to catch fish on even the muddiest days.

If you're like everyone else and tired of watching a bobber all day, you have to remember that spring smolt and baitfish are being washed out of the tributaries and downstream during this time. This is when people catch their first big brown of the year, and usually by throwing those large streamers in some of the lower braids and pockets in Valley of the Moon or any access still on the pavement. Our recommendations are white D&D's, Sculpzilla's, and as always the white or olive Sex Dungeon. 

If you're looking for that large skwala eat on the surface this season, try to target softer water seams. Trout will still feed on the surface in these areas while taking cover from the more violent water in the main current. Although sometimes needing to be coaxed, a lot of trout will have their eyes looking up for that adult stonefly. Try Rolling Stone's, Fools Gold, or Morning Wood's all in skwala colors to get your first large surface eat this spring.