Hatch Guide · Plecoptera (Perlodidae)

Skwala Stonefly

The Skwala is the first significant adult stonefly hatch of the Western season, emerging in late February through April.

Peak months: MarchApril

Top fly patterns

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Month-by-month activity

Number of rivers where the Skwala Stonefly hatch is active each month.

Jan
Feb
Mar
23 rivers
Apr
May
Jun ●
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Rivers where Skwala Stonefly hatches

Westfield River
Massachusetts Active: Mar
Wild trout freestone river in the Berkshires. West Branch holds native brookies in upper reaches. St…
Ausable River
New York Active: Mar
Classic Adirondack freestone river with wild brookies in upper reaches and browns and rainbows in th…
Gallatin River
Montana Active: Mar
Classic freestone river paralleling Highway 191 through the canyon south of Bozeman. Wild fish in th…
Madison River
Montana Active: Mar
One of Montana's legendary Blue Ribbon rivers. PMD, caddis, and salmonfly hatches make June and July…
Missouri River
Montana Active: Mar
World-class tailwater below Holter Dam near Craig. Midge and BWO hatches year-round; PMD and trico d…
Blackfoot River
Montana Active: Mar
Immortalized by Norman Maclean's A River Runs Through It. Recovered wild fishery with strong stonefl…
Big Hole River
Montana Active: Mar
One of the last wild arctic grayling rivers in the lower 48. Blue Ribbon trout water with massive sa…
Yellowstone River
Montana Active: Mar
The longest free-flowing river in the lower 48. Paradise Valley section near Livingston is prime Blu…
Bitterroot River
Montana Active: Mar
Scenic freestone river in the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula. Good caddis and PMD hatches. Nati…
Clark Fork River
Montana Active: Mar
Recovering river through Missoula and western Montana. Bull trout present — handle with care. Good c…
Snake River
Wyoming Active: Mar
Pure wild Snake River fine-spotted cutthroat trout in a spectacular Teton backdrop. Float-fishing th…
North Platte River
Wyoming Active: Mar
The famous Miracle Mile below Seminoe Reservoir — cold tailwater holding large rainbows and browns. …
South Platte River
Colorado Active: Mar
Gold Medal water through Cheesman Canyon and the Dream Stream above Eleven Mile Reservoir. Highly te…
Arkansas River
Colorado Active: Mar
Gold Medal freestone river through the Arkansas Valley. Good caddis and PMD hatches. Wade fishing be…
Roaring Fork River
Colorado Active: Mar
Gold Medal freestone and tailwater water through Aspen and down to Glenwood Springs. Strong PMD, cad…
Cache la Poudre River
Colorado Active: Mar
Colorado's only federally designated Wild and Scenic River. Freestone character through Poudre Canyo…
South Fork Boise River
Idaho Active: Mar
Cold tailwater below Anderson Ranch Dam. Strong midge and PMD hatches. Bull trout present — handle c…
Salmon River
Idaho Active: Mar
The River of No Return — a wilderness canyon river through central Idaho. Wild steelhead and chinook…
Deschutes River
Oregon Active: Mar
Oregon's crown jewel. Wild redsides and summer steelhead in a dramatic canyon. Salmonfly hatch in la…
Rogue River
Oregon Active: Mar
Wild and Scenic River with famous steelhead and salmon runs. Spring Chinook and summer steelhead att…
McKenzie River
Oregon Active: Mar
Home of the McKenzie River drift boat design. Gin-clear spring-fed water with wild rainbows. Skwala …
Metolius River
Oregon Active: Mar
Spring-fed river emerging fully formed from the base of Black Butte. Catch-and-release artificial on…
Yakima River
Washington Active: Mar
Washington's premier trout river — Blue Ribbon water through the canyon below Cle Elum. Skwala hatch…

How to fish the Skwala Stonefly

Fish a size 6–10 Skwala dry along bankside structure. Skwalas crawl to the bank and hatch on rocks, so cast tight to the margins.

Frequently asked

When does the Skwala Stonefly hatch?

Peak emergence: March, April. Timing varies by elevation, latitude, and water temperature.

What flies match the Skwala Stonefly hatch?

Top patterns: Skwala Stonefly (size 6-10).

What rivers have a good Skwala Stonefly hatch?

Skwala Stonefly hatches are documented on 23 rivers including: Westfield River, Ausable River, Gallatin River, Madison River, Missouri River and 18 more.

How do I fish the Skwala Stonefly hatch?

Fish a size 6–10 Skwala dry along bankside structure. Skwalas crawl to the bank and hatch on rocks, so cast tight to the margins.

What is the Skwala Stonefly?

The Skwala is the first significant adult stonefly hatch of the Western season, emerging in late February through April. Family: Plecoptera (Perlodidae).

Related

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