Time to Kick off the Atlas Outfitting Season!

Written By Lani Flagg

First off, thank you!

Thank you to those of you who came out to support us at the outdoorsman exposés these past few months! We travelled to New Braunfels, Texas in February, Reno, Nevada in March, and Vancouver, Washington this past weekend. Your support means the world to us and we can’t wait to fish with some new faces this season!

Some exciting news…

As of April 1st, Atlas Outfitting now has the permits to offer guided trips on The Big Hole River!

The Big Hole is only 1 of 8 rivers in the lower 48 to be named a “blue ribbon river” — rated for excellence on a quality fishing scale. It’s one of the few rivers in Montana that has a grayling and a salmon fly hatch. It is known for its beautiful and diverse scenery, the variety of its water and in the geological structure of the river. We are pumped to guide this river!

Give me the Run Down on April Fishing!

Spring fishing has been great and will only continue to get better. The lakes have been fishing super well, though some of the high country lakes are still frozen. On Freestone rivers, we’ve been fishing skwalas, streamers, worms, baetis, and midges. In the Tailwaters, baetis, midges, worms, streamers, sow bugs, scuds and hot beads have been fishing very well. Fish are still holding in slow water, but will start to move to the faster water towards the end of the month depending on the temperature of the water and air.

The Skwala hatch is happening! Skwala’s are a type of stone fly that hatche in the spring. It is usually the first opportunity of the year to get into, “big bug,” dry fly terrestrial action. We highly recommend booking a skwala trip this month!

Montana received some early spring snow storms, which means the snow pack report is showing a slightly above average water year all over Montana. This is a great omen for fishing this year! 

Please be careful with walk and wade fishing on reds! At the end of this month, rainbows spawn in shallow water. Their beds are light in color and oval shaped, often in shallow water. Please be mindful where you step!

“How can I prepare for my upcoming fishing trip?”

You can reference this quick PACKING LIST! *Reminder that we will fish in all weather conditions! So think layers and rain gear!

  • Your fishing license and waivers!

  • Rain Gear Top and Bottoms/Bibs

  • Waders for fishing on off days (no studs on boat)

  • Beanie or insulated weatherproof hat/cap

  • Gloves (nitrile latex gloves with fingerless wool are the best!)

  • Top and bottom thermals

  • Wool socks

  • POLARIZED glasses

  • Insulated water bottle

  • Camera

  • Insulated weatherproof jacket

  • Synthetic insulating mid layer

  • Lightweight / comfy pants

  • Waterproof boat shoes

  • Scarf

  • Sunscreen!

If you are interested in learning how to row, check this out!

One of our close outfitter buddies, Tracy, is hosting a 3-day rowing camp from May 16-18. If you are interested in improving your fishing-specific rowing skills, give him a shout! tracy@territoryanglers.com / 406-580-7088

Lani Flagg
Next

March Updates!