Updated October 15, 2026
    Access point

    Nelson's Spring Creek Areaon Big Spring Creek

    While often private, the area around this landmark is indicative of prime spring creek water.
    Big Spring Creek reportDirections47.0500°N, 109.4400°W
    Bite report · week of Oct 4

    What's working on Big Spring Creek

    1. 01Big Spring Creek is fishing well under clear skies and mild fall temperatures (57°F).
    2. 02USGS flow data is currently unavailable, but spring creek conditions imply stable flows.
    3. 03October Caddis are becoming very active, particularly towards evening.
    4. 04Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and Mahogany Duns are reliably hatching, especially on overcast days.
    5. 05Subsurface, midges, Baetis nymphs, and egg patterns are highly effective.
    6. 06Trout are beginning their spawning rituals, increasing the efficacy of egg imitations.

    What to tie on at Nelson's Spring Creek Area

    Picked from recent reports for this stretch.

    nymph95%

    Pheasant Tail Nymph

    #14#16#18#20

    Explicitly recommended as "Sawyer Pheasant Tail" in the July 31st Montana Angler report for Montana spring creeks, mimicking general mayfly nymphs.

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    nymph95%

    Jujubaetis

    #18#20#22

    Explicitly recommended as "Juju beatis" in the July 31st Montana Angler report for Montana spring creeks, effective for consistent baetis nymph activity.

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    emerger95%

    RS2

    #14#16

    Explicitly recommended as "PMD RS2" in the July 31st Montana Angler report for Montana spring creeks, targeting emerging mayflies.

    emerger95%

    PMD Sparkle Dun

    #16#18

    Explicitly recommended in the July 31st Montana Angler report for Montana spring creeks, matching the emerger stage of Pale Morning Duns.

    dry95%

    Parachute Adams

    #14#16#18#20#22

    Explicitly recommended as "Para Adams" in the July 31st Montana Angler report for Montana spring creeks, a versatile dry fly for various mayfly imitations.

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    nymph95%

    Zebra Midge

    #18#20#22#24

    Explicitly recommended as "Beadhead Zebra midge, black or red" in the July 31st Montana Angler report for Montana spring creeks, a consistent year-round midge nymph.

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    nymph90%

    Midge Larva

    #20#22#24#26

    Explicitly recommended as "Midge larva in red or purple" in the July 31st Montana Angler report for Montana spring creeks, a primary subsurface food source.

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    nymph90%

    Scud (Pink/Orange)

    #12#14#16#18

    Explicitly recommended as "Scuds, sowbugs like Ray Charles in natural or pink" in the July 31st Montana Angler report for Montana spring creeks, effective for mimicking freshwater shrimp and sowbugs.

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    dry85%

    Trico Spinner

    #20#22#24#26

    Trico hatches are a consistent late-summer morning event on slow spring creeks, and this pattern effectively imitates the adult spinner.

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    Montana season by season

    What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.

    Mar – MaySpringRead the guideJun – AugSummerRead the guideSep – NovFallRead the guideDec – FebWinterRead the guide