“Streamers” is the common term used to describe flies tied to imitate baitfish or other larger prey, such as crayfish. Because spring is when most of our Montana trout rivers come into play and trout swimming in these rivers have gone most of the winter without seeing a lot flies, anglers in-the-know fish streamers in spring in hopes of feeding their taste for the exciting take of a fish hitting a streamer. When many of us started fly fishing there were only a few options for streamers for fly fishing for trout in Montana. Today with so many innovative patterns created by dozens of creative fly tyers, the choices can seem daunting. Here are 5 Essential Streamers for Spring Fly Fishing in Montana.
Sculpzilla. This is a favorite pattern for fishing a single fly. Because of the articulated hook system, it works best fished alone and not part of a two fly rig. Its origin is a partial hi-jacking of the Zonker and the Wooly Bugger, but it’s so much more than those two now. With a heavily weighted conehead containing oversized red eyes and an articulated body, when stripped in the water the fly imitates an injured sculpin or baitfish. Predatory trout actively search for injured prey…fish a Sculpzilla and you’ll have plenty of stories to tell. This is a great pattern for fly fishing the Missouri River in the spring months.
Sparkle Minnow. Tied with lots of flash and with marabou as its key element, the Sparkle Minnow also owes its lineage to the classic Wooly Bugger. Using ice dubbing in flashy colors and adding a conehead, the Sparkle Minnow imitates a variety of baitfish. Best fished stripped or swung, this pattern helps many young guides rack up Facebook likes. Many of our Montana fly fishing guides will fish this fly on the Yellowstone River right before runoff commences.
Zirdle. A blending of the Zonker and the Girdle Bug, this fly took two oldies and created a chart-topping sensation. The rabbit fur creates a life-like appearance when stripped and the rubber legs create a wavy appearance when dead-drifted or paused. Because the fly is not articulated, it can be fished as a lead fly on a two-fly rig and tangles less. On most trout rivers in Montana or the world, this fly tied with a smaller nymph as a trailer can entice most any hungry trout to eat.
Crystal Bugger. A variation of perhaps the most well-known streamer of all time, the Wolly Bugger, the Crystal Bugger adds more flash and more marabou compared to the original Wolly Bugger. Additionally, the Crystal Bugger is almost always tied with a beadhead or a conehead. This fly casts better than any others on the list as its sleek design allows it to cut through the air. This is a great fly to fish as the heavier fly in a two fly rig, and is also a great pattern for fishing some of the many lakes in Montana as they come into shape in the spring months.
Clouser Crayfish. A list of top streamer patterns is not complete without a true crayfish pattern. Rooted in a variety of crayfish patterns, this streamer can be tied with a foam back or a turkey quill back. Most are tied with lead on the hook shank to help it reach maximum depth. Many different patterns exist, but our favorite is the simple Clouser Crayfish, created by the legendary Bob Clouser, the creator of the well known Clouser Minnow, a staple pattern for saltwater species. The Clouser Crayfish is best fished dead-drifted, drug along a bank, or swung up at the tail-end of a deeper run. The Lower Madison near Bozeman and Big Sky is known as a crayfish-rich river.
Fly fishing in spring in Montana is a unique time to explore some of the more popular waters, but without the summer tourists. Weather can be inclement so good gear and a good attitude are crucial to enjoying fishing in the spring. Because spring fly fishing can feature angling days with consistent action to slower days with cool and rainy or snowy weather, the appeal lies in the unknown and the potential--factors tailor-made for streamer anglers. If you enjoy fishing streamers and enjoy riding the highs and lows of potential and the unknown, then be sure to head to the river this spring with these 5 essential flies for fishing for streamers in Montana.