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Spring Creek Fishing Report

The legendary Spring Creeks in Livingston Montana. Armstrong's, Depuy's Nelson's spring creeks are some of the best in the world.

Paradise Valley Spring Creeks Fishing Report - 7/10

July 10, 2025

Paradise Valley Spring Creek Fishing Report 

The PMD's are going strong on the spring creeks.  Emergences have been lasting anywhere from 1-4 hours, typically starting around 10:00 and sometimes lasting until 3:00 or 4:00 in the afternoon.

The biggest PMD's of the season are just about over. Now we are seeing mostly the smaller PMDs, ephemerella inermis, (size #18-20). Sulphur nymphs have been a good dropper option, as have various #18-20 midge larva patterns in red, black, olive, and white.

Be sure to have a mix of different PMDs including the various stages of nymphs, emergers, duns, and spinners. Sow bugs, scuds, and midge larva are also catching fish if the hatch doesn't seem to be going hard the day you are out there. 

The tricky part will be getting a "rod" or reservation from now until July 15th. There are some single rods available however, so give us a call if you'd like to try with a guide and we can see what day(s) might be available. 

Recommended flies

Dry flies: 

CDC Biot Dun PMD #14-16
PMD CDC Cripple #14-16
PMD Sparkle Dun #14-16
PMD Comparaduns #14-16
Harrop Hi-vis Spinner #14-16
Cranefly adult #12-14 
Black Ant #18-22
Beetle #14-18

Nymphs:

PMD nymphs #14-16
Sawyer Style PT's #14-16
Midge larva #18-22
Olive Scuds #16-18
Grey Scuds #16-18
Grey Sow Bugs #16-18

Recommended Terminal Tackle: 

Rod:  A 3 or 4-weight fly rod are best for light presentation, tippet protection, and getting the best drift.

Tippet: TroutHunter 6X, 6.5X - (fluorocarbon or nylon), Scientific Angler's 6X, 6.5X - (fluorocarbon or nylon), Airflo 6X, 6.5X nylon, Rio Fluoroflex 6X, 6.5X.  7X or smaller is possible, but only with the right rod and operator, otherwise plan on loosing some flies when the fish go for the weeds...

Nymph Leader: 9-12' 6X knotless, 12' 6X George's Hand Tied Hot Butt Leader

Dry Fly Leader: 12' 6X knotless, 12' 6X George's Hand Tied Clear Butt Leader