TROUT FISHING DURING RUN OFF
One of the problems with early season trout fishing in most waters is the problem with spring run-off. This is a particularly thorny problem in many parts of the west, especially in those years when the snowpack is deeper than normal. Streams can be high, cold and dirty for weeks, and even lakes can be affected from the steady influx of dirty cold water. For a fly fisherman that has waited all winter for a chance to wet a line an extended spring runoff can be excruciating.
When I first arrived in Montana nearly 40 years ago it was “normal” for the Yellowstone to become “fishable” by mid-July. This meant that there were nearly 2 ½ months when the river was high and dirty. You might get a respite if we had a cold spell and the snow melt slowed down for a day or two, but basically you could expect high cold water until mid-July in a “normal” year. What to do?
While most fly flingers did not bother to fish rivers like the Yellowstone during those runoff periods I did discover that there were some highly successful anglers that caught some very nice trout during the runoff.
There was one old gentleman named Dean Jackson that lived in Livingston where I lived. As I recall Dean was retired military, and he moved to Montana after his retirement with one goal in mind; he came to fish for trout with flies. Dean was an interesting character. He never wore waders and he fished year around. Now the Yellowstone is never especially warm, at least not in my book, but Dean would be out there wading around like he was wading in a heated pool. [Ultimately his legs gave out, and he died shortly thereafter]
Well, in addition to wading wet, Dean fished hard during spring runoff. In fact, he told me that it was his favorite time of the year to fish since he had the river all to himself. His technique was basically simple and straight forward. Due to the high water he did not attempt to wade. His favorite places to fish during this time were along the banks that were rip rapped with large rock. He was especially fond of areas where there was a back eddy. These areas are normally marked by a foam slick that slowly circles around on the surface trapping all manner of flotsam. Dean explained that the big trout would move into these eddies because the they were out of the main current and the stream brought them all manner of good things to eat.
Dean tied his own “special” flies for fishing during run off. Basically they were nothing more than black hair crudely lashed to a long shank hook. Somewhere in my fly-fishing paraphernalia I think I still have one of Dean’s special flies. [The black hair was from a skunk] Dean would simply cast his fly into the back eddy and sit back and wait. Not exactly exciting angling but it was amazingly productive. While it looked simple it took a sharp eye and a keen touch to detect when a trout picked the fly. He would intently watch the point where his leader entered the water and at the slightest hesitation he would set the hook. More often than not a trout would be attached to the other end.
Dean Jackson has long since departed this world, but he proved to me that it is not only feasible to fish during the runoff but it’s possible to catch some rather respectable trout in the process. While I doubt that many anglers would desire to use his exact method there are some things that can be learned that will allow an angler to catch fish during the runoff.
First, look for the fish to be holding close to the bank. When the water is high the fish will tend to move out of the main flow and hold in areas where the current is less severe. Look for back eddies, still water areas behind large rocks, and behind log jams. Fish slowly and be patience, especially if the water temperature is a bit on the cold side.
Use patterns that match the common insects that you find in that particular water. On western waters stonefly nymph patterns are a good choice. I like to use a good sized fly when fishing during the runoff. Larger flies are easier for the trout to see, and I believe that they are more inclined to eat something large when their metabolism is reduced due to the colder water.
In discolored water use an imitation that is dark in color. A black stonefly nymph, woolly worm, or streamer works better in discolored water than lighter colored patterns.
My favorite technique when fishing during the runoff is to work along heavily rip-rapped banks that have big rocks along the face of the bank. I use a relatively short line and carefully pick the pockets of calmer water along the face of the riprap. I pay special attention to back eddies and indentations along the rocks. I use a short – 7½ to 8 foot – leader with a 3x tippet. This is not finesse type fishing, but it can be productive.
If fishing streams that are running bank full of dirty, cold water is not your cup of tea you might find an alternative by fishing headwater areas. While the water might be high and cold it will often be clear. The fishing will not likely be fast but by fishing slowly with weighted nymphs in the deeper pools should produce some fish. Use nymphs that imitate the types of insects that are commonly found in the water that you are fishing, and you may increase your chances of success by fishing more than one fly. [If that is allowed in your area] Make certain that your offering is right on the bottom, and fish each pool slowly.
If none of this suits your fancy find a spring creek or a tail water stream. That’s generally my choice.