May is in full swing. The mountains are loaded with snow, and everyone is waiting with bated breath for the real warm weather to hit and runoff to start. Which means fishy folks all over the place are trying to get as much fishing in as possible before that happens. Personally, the early season is probably my favorite of the year. Mayflies galore, and the Mother’s Day Caddis hatch can be spectacular.
But that’s not what really gets people excited about Montana. It’s the big bugs, the Salmonflies.
There is something about throwing big, huge dries to hungry fish that just go bat shit crazy for them that has a way of grabbing your attention. I’ve talked to more than one person in the shop here in Washington whose eye’s light up and they look all excited when they talk about going to chase Salmonflies.
We’ve still got a ways to go yet, but it’s nice to have something to look forward to. And in the meantime, there is still some awesome fishing to be had.
Photo by Shane Rickert.
