Skwala Sightings ??

HOW LOW TO GO ?

How High To Start ?

do you want them ?

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.. Every now and again a bewildered visitor slides into the neighborhood pub.
.. Most are mercifully ignored. Some, on the other hand, 'squish' as they saunter around the smaller spaces and darker corners.

from MONTANA FIELD GUIDE

.. The 'squishers' are invited to a seat and are usually bought a beer. It's always a good thing to welcome exotic fisher folks.
.. How are things in the outside world? How did you get here? Why here and now? Bud Light? Oh well!
.. Our fishing prognostications are limited at this time of year to a few first hand reports from adventurous younger neighbors, fake news, and local gossip. Squishers are always most welcome.

.. This time we found out that the lowland rivers are clearing nicely and that the mysterious skwala has been sighted in Missoula, Bozeman, and just a bit south of Ennis. (Quite a bit ?)
.. Of course with the weekend coming up the young hearty group is gearing up for a safari into the warmth of the valley.  The Madison River valley that is.
.. The only species of skwala recognized in Montana is Skwala americana (American Springfly.)

from MONTANA FIELD GUIDE

.. There are two other recognized species in the U.S.A. They are sort of the red headed stepchild of entomologists and keep getting their names and classifications switched around.
.. They are less social than the giant salmonflies, (Pteronarcys californica,) but look similar in their adult form - just smaller.
.. Right now the nymph is of great interest to fly fishers. These are carnivorous nymphs. They prey on other neoteneous forms: caddis, midges, mayfly, etc.

GLITTER SHIMMER NYMPH

.. The midges have been especially prolific for the last couple of years.
.. The skwala population has profited from this. Get the right nymph imitation and catch a few fish.
.. The neighbors use a couple of favorite nymphs that we have mentioned before. The Snortle Nymph, (snortel, snortal, etc.,) and the Glitter Shimmer Nymph. Both of these are easy to tie. They can be weighted or not weighted. They can float if you like.
.. If you want to hedge your bets, tie your standard big stonefly nymph pattern in dark brown. It should do just fine.

SNORTLE NYMPH

.. The skwala safari is planned for tomorrow. Early enough to avoid a second pot of coffee is a good time. Late enough to fish the skwala migration is probably best.
.. Nymphal forms, (after a year long hemimetabolism,)  begin to move when the water temperature is warmed by the sun and is in the low to mid 40's.
.. They migrate to the shore and hang out for a spell, (dry wings and other such, don'tchaknow?)
.. By late afternoon all shenanigans have been completed: sometimes in flights but mostly in the fringe of veggies along the shore and in crevices and shingles.

MADAME  X

.. The females will fly to preferred water and lay their eggs on the water. Then they die and bob along enticing trout.
.. Should you choose to fish the females a squished flat, (darker the better,) Madame X will do wonders. Cast long and wiggly upstream and twitch a little on the way back home. Hang on.
.. It's quite a trek to the lower Madison River from this refuge up here. But, all of the ice is mostly gone and the sightings can't be just rumors  --  can they?

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.. We're going to have the second pot of coffee and some breakfast right after the safari departs.

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