Pre-Runoff Cutty Update

Pre-Runoff Cutty Update

One of the most common questions we get in the shop this time of year: “When does spring runoff start and when will it be done?”

Around the Spokane region, we’ve gotten used to exceptionally warm spring temperatures and early runoff the last few years. Fortunately, we’ve had a more “normal” spring this season. Cool overnight temps mixed with mild daytime highs has kept high-elevation snowpack intact and should set us up for a nice Summer season of cold water flowing through the streams in our area. With longer, warmer days coming up, we will likely see the high-elevation snow start melting over the next couple weeks.

We've had a great Spring for fishing so far with mild flows and thick bug hatches. Everyone here at the shop has been able to get out and take advantage of these conditions over the last few weeks. The St. Joe and NF CDA have been the local favorites, but other rivers like the Clark Fork and Yakima have also been fishing very well for anglers looking to venture out further.

Shop friend Aaron and I (Kenyon) were able to sneak away on Friday for a float on the St Joe. Even though there was a flow bump in the forecast, we made the trip anyways and were not disappointed. (Note: Don’t solely rely on forecasts for your fishing days… They’re often wrong, just like the weather.) Flows were in great shape and clarity was ideal. Water temps around 10 AM were 46° and warmed to 50° by late afternoon.

We started the day by throwing a dry-dropper combo and immediately found fish on both. A water walker or gypsy king seemed to get the most attention on the surface. Droppers really didn’t seem to matter much, but we had fish take March Brown frenchies, stonefly nymphs, and worm patterns. From noon to about 2:30 we had a great window of March Browns and Drakes hatching, which let us headhunt for risers until the hatch tapered off. There were a few random risers throughout the rest of the day, but consistency noticeably dropped off when the bugs were done.

We saw just about every bug you would expect for this time of year. Skwalas, Nemouras, March Browns, Gray Drakes, and a couple Salmonflies at the end of the day. The cutties were in their true form and wanted to look up for a dry all day long.

I don’t know what else to say, other than GO FISHING! We’ll see you out there!