Driftless Flow Fishing Report - April 2025

Current Conditions – Clear Water, Happy Fish

After a bit of much-needed rain this past week (about a half to one inch in most areas), the creeks are running clear to lightly stained. That’s about as good as it gets for this time of year. The ground soaked up most of the moisture, so we avoided the muddy blowouts that can sometimes follow spring rains.

Water levels are still on the low side in some spots, especially north of the Wisconsin River, but that hasn’t stopped the fish from feeding. In fact, the trout are looking pretty happy. Mornings start off a little slow with chilly temps, but once the sun gets up and water temps hit that magic 50-degree mark, things start to pop.

What’s Hatching – Olives & Caddis Taking Over

We’re seeing daily blue-winged olive (BWO) activity across much of the region, and black caddis are starting to come out in force on sunnier afternoons. If you’re out mid-day into the afternoon, especially on a warmer day, you’ve got a good shot at some solid dry fly action.

That said, the olive hatch is starting to taper off, and we’re seeing the caddis step up in a big way. Keep an eye out in the riffles when that hatch hits—trout will be sipping just below the surface or slashing at emergers.

Early risers, don’t stress—this is a 9-to-5 fishery right now. The water's just too cold in the early hours, and hatch activity doesn’t really pick up until the sun warms things up. Sleep in a bit, grab a good breakfast, and hit the water mid-morning.

Go-To Flies Right Now

If you're wondering what to tie on this week, here are some tried-and-true patterns that are doing the work right now:

• Subsurface Killers:

  • Coulee Scud

  • Pink Squirrel (a Driftless classic!)

  • Zebra Midge

  • San Juan Worm

  • Ice Cream Cones

  • Caddis Larvae patterns

• Dry & Emerger Options:

  • Klinkenhammer

  • Film Star

  • Film Critic

  • Small Olive duns

• Streamers & Leeches:

  • Small Wooly Buggers

  • Mini Leeches in olive or black

Fish are still very keyed in on subsurface food, especially early in the day. Scuds and flashy nymphs are working great in the deeper runs before trout move into the riffles. As the day warms and hatches get going, keep an eye on the surface—it can shift from nymphs to dries in a hurry this time of year.

Where to Fish – Driftless Sweet Spots

With clear water across most of the region, you’ve got a ton of options. Popular waters in Vernon, Richland, Crawford, and Iowa counties are all in good shape. Smaller spring-fed creeks are ideal right now, as they’ve stayed cool and clear even with the rain.

Focus your efforts on:

• Deeper pools and runs early in the day

• Transition zones as temps rise

• Riffles and shallows when you see surface activity in the afternoon

Use the stealth game. The water’s clear, and fish are spooky. Keep a low profile, use longer leaders (think 9–12 feet), and consider fluorocarbon tippet if you're getting refusals.

Fly Fishing Tips for April in the Driftless

1. Be Patient with the Morning Chill
   No need to rush the day. Let the water warm up a bit and target that late morning to afternoon window. This is when the bugs start moving and the trout wake up.

2. Match the Hatch, but Don’t Overthink It
   BWOs and caddis are the stars of the show right now. If you're seeing rises, try a small olive dry or a caddis emerger. If not, start with a scud or flashy nymph and adjust from there.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Swing a Streamer
   Even though hatches are happening, fish will still take a swung leech or bugger. Especially in those deeper bends and undercut banks.

4. Bring Polarized Glasses
   The sun is finally shining, and with the clear water, you’ll spot more fish—and maybe even see refusals you can learn from.

5. Work the Water Thoroughly
   Cover water methodically. A lot of springtime fish are still holding tight to structure and slower current seams. If you think there’s a fish in there, there probably is—just needs the right presentation.

Looking Ahead – Late April and Early May

The forecast is showing some warming trends over the next week or two, and that’s likely to kick off stronger caddis hatches and more consistent dry fly windows. As we get into May, we’ll start seeing more bug diversity and aggressive post-winter feeding.

Keep an eye out for crane flies and maybe even some early sulphurs depending on the creek.

Final Thoughts

This is the Driftless in prime form—spring hatches, happy trout, and enough variety to keep you tying and testing all day long. If you’ve been thinking about sneaking out for a few hours (or a few days), now’s the time.

Thanks for reading, and be sure to check back for more tips, tricks, and reports as the season unfolds. Got a hot pattern or had a great day on the water? Drop me a line—I love hearing from fellow trout bums.

Tight lines