Caddis!

We’ve had reports of Mother’s Day Caddis hatching on the Yellowstone River below Livingston and up into the Paradise Valley, at least as far as Mallard’s Rest. One of the bugs hitched a ride in my truck after I stopped to check the water at Carter’s Bridge this morning. They’re out there. What we haven’t heard yet is of anyone slaying the trout on the topwater. But today could be the day. Look for things to heat up (literally) as we move toward the weekend.

If it seems early, it sure is. But the mild weather we’ve had recently has pushed the water temperatures up to the “magic” level.

Water clarity could be the wild card. Right now, the water color (or lack of it) looks great at Carter’s Bridge. But we’re supposed to get some mighty warm weather over the next few days, which could result in mud coming down. If you can get out late this week, you might just hit it before the river gets too dirty for surface feeding. Think about taking a sick day!

Some of our favorite flies for the hatch include the Mother’s Day Caddis (imagine that), Bloom’s Parachute Caddis in dark olive, the Everything Emerger in peacock, the X2 Caddis in olive, and the good old Elk Hair Caddis in olive. Size 14 is about right, though a slightly bigger pattern can sometimes attract attention among a bunch of naturals. Don’t forget about emergers and pupa as well; drop one off of your dry to up your chances. Try a Spotlight Caddis Emerger, a Pulsating Caddis Emerger, a Beadhead Mangy Caddis, or a Yuba Pupa. Again, olive is the color of choice. And before the hatch gets going, nymphing with one of those pupa patterns can be deadly.

Oh, and there are still some Blue Winged Olives around, as well as some March Browns. So don’t leave home without a few mayfly dries as well.

Don’t miss out! Get out there while the getting’s good! And stay tuned to these fishing reports for clarity and hatch updates as the week goes on.