On a warm, overcast afternoon in April, our local rivers are home to some of the most spectacular Montana fly fishing during the annual skwala stonefly hatch. As winter recedes, the skwala stonefly hatch signals the start of an electrifying new Missoula fly fishing season. The sight of trout voraciously leaping out of the water to snatch a skwala fly pattern off the surface is a heart-pumping moment that will leave any angler trembling with excitement. As the days get longer and our daydreams are flooded with thoughts of big stoneflies, make sure you have the right skwala fly patterns in your box. Here is the list of our favorite skwala fly patterns that you can find in our online fly shop or in-store.
1. Rogue River Stone
Put this timeless dry fly pattern up there with the wheel as things to not reinvent. While it’s not the newest pattern in the bins, the Rogue Stone is a simple, low-floating stonefly pattern that fools trout season after season.
2. Pavlovich’s Sweet Dream
A new one from last season, the Sweet Dream received high praise from our guides and customers alike. It’s a simple, buoyant pattern that’s the one to reach for when the trout start to get picky.
3. Water Walker
The Water Walker is one of our favorites for all stoneflies and hoppers alike. And in March and April, a size 12 black or olive Water Walker is our go-to. Water Walkers sit low in the water and appear unbelievably life-like for an entirely foam dry fly. Available at our online fly shop.
4. True Stonefly
Reach for a True Stonefly when you need a dry fly that floats like a cork. This pattern floats almost any stonefly nymph dropper, yet also stands alone as an easy-to-see stonefly pattern.
5. Dancin’ Ricky
There are some skwala patterns that just stand out compared to the rest. The Dancin Ricky is one of those patterns. Tied on a bent shank hook, the Dancin’ Ricky’s abdomen sits submerged in the water like a real stonefly — perfect for the Montana skwala hatch. And with knotted legs to mimic jointed stonefly legs, the Dancin Ricky looks like it could crawl off the table. Available at our online fly shop.
Rain, snow or shine, skwala stoneflies kick off their annual big hatch in early spring, laying the groundwork for some of the earliest and most chaotic Missoula fly fishing of the year. There are few places in the US that produce this caliber of dry fly fishing so early in the year. It’s your best chance to dance with a two-foot trout crushing foam dry flies.
Have a question about Montana’s skwala stonefly hatch or skwala fly patterns? Call our Missoula fly shop, our Montana fly fishing guides are happy to help.
