May has been a wild ride for fly fishers across the country, and this week the buzz is everywhere—from Montana’s rivers to the international stage. If you’re a fly fisher who keeps an eye on the water, the hatch chart, and maybe the latest in rod tech, there’s plenty to get excited about.
First up, the Green Drake and Salmonfly hatches are making waves right now. If you fish anywhere near the Pacific Northwest, you know the Green Drakes are the hatch everyone waits for, and they’ve just started to show up with more consistency. Salmonflies, those big, loud bugs that make trout lose their minds, are popping off in many spots and just firing up elsewhere. It’s that rare window when even the old-timers get a little giddy, because big foam bugs mean big rises and even bigger stories when you’re swapping tales at the truck after a long day on the water[1].
Now, if you’re following what’s happening in Montana, there’s even more reason to plan a trip. Folks in Bozeman and all over the region are almost celebrating—snowpack numbers as of late March looked just about perfect. The Madison and Gallatin are sitting above average for snow water equivalent, while the Yellowstone and Jefferson are right about on track, promising excellent flows and healthy trout for the summer. This type of snowpack sets up the rivers for consistent water levels and happy fish, and, let’s be honest, nothing beats a good Montana summer for wild trout fishing when the conditions line up like this[5].
While all that’s happening stateside, some of the best fly fishers in the country are gearing up for a different test entirely. Devin Olsen and Fly Fishing Team USA are about to compete in the 2025 World Fly Fishing Championships, which are being held in the Czech Republic this year. Olsen has been dialing in his euro nymphing game, testing out leader setups and hooks, and generally showing everybody how much prep goes into fishing at the highest level. If you’re the kind who geeks out over tactics and gear, you’ll appreciate how these pros push fly fishing to the next level—both in skill and innovation. Watching Team USA tinker and prep is as much about learning as it is about rooting for the home team on international water[4].
Speaking of gear, 2025 has dropped some serious new kit. The staff at The Fly Shop have reviewed the hottest new rods, reels, and fly tying materials, so if you like to stay ahead of the curve (or just want an excuse to upgrade), now’s the time to check out what’s new. With all the improvements in tech—lighter rods, sharper hooks, stronger tippet—it’s a good reminder that fly fishing might be rooted in tradition, but it sure doesn’t stand still for long[2].
So, whether you’re heading out for the first Green Drake hatch, bouncing flies through Montana’s perfectly flowing rivers, rooting for Team USA overseas, or drooling over the latest gear, there’s no shortage of action this month. Tight lines, and here’s hoping you’re the one with the fish stories everyone wants to hear at the local shop this season.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
