The West Fork is fishing well and remains one of the best spring options as runoff begins to affect lower-elevation rivers. Flows have ticked up slightly with warmer temps, but the river is still very fishable, with good clarity and plenty of active fish.
Hatches:
Skwalas are hanging on in this colder tributary, and fish are still responding to them on warmer afternoons. March Browns are showing up in good numbers by late morning, and BWOs are dependable, especially on cloudy or drizzly days. Expect some midges early, but the real dry fly windows start mid to late morning.
Tactics:
This time of year, a well-placed Skwala or March Brown dry can bring up good fish, especially in slower seams, soft inside bends, and just off the banks. Drop a small mayfly nymph or a soft hackle behind your dry for extra action. Nymphing remains a solid choice all day, especially with a two-fly rig—think stonefly up top and a mayfly or midge pattern below.
Streamer anglers are finding success with olive or black buggers and smaller sculpin patterns in deeper pools and undercut banks.
Access & River Conditions:
Access remains good throughout most of the West Fork. Water temps are still cool, but rising steadily, which has the fish waking up and feeding aggressively. As flows rise slightly with melt, pay attention to debris and water clarity day to day.
Pro Tip: The West Fork’s fish are a little less pressured this time of year—take your time, fish methodically, and be ready for some solid dry fly eats, especially mid-afternoon.
Need a shuttle or updated fly recommendations? Stop by Freestone Fly Shop—we’re dialed in and happy to help get you set up.
Fish hard and have fun,
Jeff Gray
Outfitter / Freestone Fly Shop
