With the unusually warm weather as of late, Deckers has been fishing extraordinarily well! Flows are currently sitting around 130 cfs, and should stay around there for a while given the current water and snowpack conditions. Smaller midge and BWO nymphs have been the most productive bugs for us, with long, light leaders and good drifts being imperative for success. There’s still decent windows of streamer fishing, however, particularly in the early mornings and late evenings. Dry fly action is really starting to pick up with the warm weather, providing some great opportunities to throw small midge and BWO dries in the afternoon!

Nymphing has by far been the most productive method recently, with smaller midge and baetis imitations fishing well. That being said, leading with a Pine Squirrel Leech, Pat’s Rubber Legs, Scud, or small Egg pattern in is always a good option at Deckers, especially when paired with an RS-2, Chocolate Thunder, or B’s Midge in a #20-24. MacGrubers, Top Secret Midges, Black Beauties, and smaller Pheasant Tails have also been solid choices, fishing well in sizes #20-24. BWO Emerger patterns such as a Biot BWO or Foamback Emerger are also a good option for a second bug right now with the increased presence of BWOs. 

Streamer fishing can still be productive, particularly in the early mornings and late evenings Structure has been the name of the game, so be sure to target rocks, cut banks, and log jams, as well as deep riffles and pools. Smaller leech patterns have been best, with Slumpbusters, Poachers, Thin Mints, and Woolly Buggers in a #4-12 producing well with varied retrieves. 

For those chasing dry-fly eats, surface activity has been particularly good in the last few weeks, driven by the warm weather and lower flows. Fish are mainly keying in on midge adults and clusters, though BWO’s are starting to pick up in numbers and will only increase throughout the spring. Afternoons have been the most productive for dry fly fishing, though light dry dropper rigs have been also been fishing well, with most of the action on the dropper. Griffith’s Gnats, Parachute Adams, and Vis-a-duns in #18-24 have been our most productive dry flies, paired well with an unweighted or lightly weighted RS-2, Chocolate Thunder, Black Beauty, or Juju baetis in a #20-24 down below. An emerger is also a solid choice if the fish are being super selective, so consider dropping a No-Mercy Midge,  MacGruber, or Foamwing Emerger below a dry fly.