The Fly Guide | March 2026
The Fly Guide: March 2026
Spring ahead: Prepping for trout season
As winter winds down and spring creeps closer, trout anglers everywhere start itching to get back on the water. But success in early spring often depends on how well you prepare now. Here’s how to shake off the cabin fever and gear up for the new season before that first cast.
Clean and Inspect Your Gear: Start with the basics: clean your fly lines, check your reels for grit or rust, and inspect your rods for cracks or loose guides. Replace old leaders and tippet spools, and make sure your waders and boots are leak-free.
Restock and Organize Flies: Go through your fly boxes. Fill the gaps with confidence patterns—think early-season nymphs like Pheasant Tails, Hare’s Ears, and Zebra Midges. Spring is also a great time to tie or buy stoneflies, squirmies, and small streamers.
Study Local Waters: Look at river flows, snowpack reports, and fishing regulations for the areas you plan to fish. Knowing what sections open early and where runoff hits hardest helps you plan smarter spring outings.
Practice Your Casting: A quick session in the yard can help shake off the winter rust. Dial in your accuracy, especially with roll casts and reach mends—skills that pay off when flows are high and fish are holding tight to structure.
Plan Your First Trips: Map out your early-season strategy. Low-elevation rivers and tailwaters tend to fish best first. Make a checklist, set some goals, and maybe even schedule a day off when the weather breaks just right.
Getting ready now means more time on the water and fewer surprises later. Prep smart, dream big—and get ready to meet spring head-on, rod in hand.
Finding Trout during high river flows
Don’t let swollen rivers fool you—high water doesn’t mean bad fishing. In fact, some of the best fly fishing happens when water levels rise. The trick is knowing how to adapt. Here's how to turn runoff and rain into opportunity.
Find the Soft Edges: When flows are high, trout move out of the main current to conserve energy. Target the inside seams, eddies, back channels, and soft water along the banks. These areas offer trout food without the fight.
Add Weight and Go Deep: In high water, fish often hug the bottom. Use heavier nymphs, split shot, or tungsten bead-heads to get down fast. Don’t be afraid to overdo it at first—you can always lighten up after a few drifts.
Go Big and Bright: Murky water means reduced visibility, so use flies with bold profiles or bright colors. Think squirmy worms, rubber legs, big stoneflies, and flashy streamers. Chartreuse, pink, and black are solid choices.
Use Shorter, Stronger Leaders: High water can be dirty, which means you can get away with thicker tippet. Go with a shorter leader to help control your drift and turn over heavier flies more efficiently.
Stay Safe: Wading in high water can be dangerous. Use a wading staff, wear a belt, and fish from the bank whenever possible. If the river looks sketchy, fish the edges or try a lake or tailwater instead.
High water pushes trout into predictable, close-to-shore spots—and with the right approach, they’re more than willing to eat. Fish smart, fish safe, and embrace the rise.
Why Spring is the best time to fish the edges
When spring hits and the rivers swell with snowmelt and rain, many anglers instinctively head for the middle of the river. But the smart ones? They stay close to the banks—because that’s where the trout are.
Here’s why the edges are your best bet in spring, and how to fish them right:
Trout Seek Shelter: As flows increase in spring, the middle of the river becomes a fast-moving highway. Trout don’t want to burn calories fighting current, so they slide into softer water—like the inside bends, slow seams, undercut banks, and eddies near the shore.
Food Funnels to the Margins: High water pushes insects, worms, and other trout snacks right along the edges. Trout know this and take up ambush spots close to the bank, especially where structure or depth offers a bit of cover.
You Don’t Need to Wade Far (Or at All): In spring, some of the best drifts happen right at your feet. Stay stealthy, approach slowly, and make short, accurate casts. Often, wading deep just spooks fish and makes it harder to control your presentation.
Use Visible, Heavier Flies: When targeting the banks, especially in stained water, go with bright or flashy patterns. Squirmy Worms, stonefly nymphs, or smaller streamers fished tight to structure often draw aggressive eats.
Slow It Down and Watch Closely: Trout in edge water aren't always obvious. They may hold motionless, blending with the bottom. Take your time, observe the current seams, and make deliberate casts.
Bottom line: Spring fishing success often means thinking small and fishing close. While others charge into fast water, you can quietly work the edges—and hook into trout that are sitting in easy-to-reach, overlooked spots. Hug the bank, fish the seams, and let the river do the work.
