Driftless Fly Fishing Report – Wisconsin Trout Opener Week, May 3, 2025

By Driftless Flow

It’s official: the General Inland Trout Season in Wisconsin is open! Saturday, May 3rd at 5am marked the start of what’s shaping up to be one heck of a spring for fly anglers in the Driftless. Between good weather, active fish, and a whole lot of eager rods on the water, the vibe out there is electric.

Trout Opener Weekend Vibes

Opening weekend saw clear skies, stable flows, and trout that were more than happy to play along. As always, popular access points were busy, but the beauty of the Driftless is that there’s plenty of water to go around. Walk 10 minutes from the road and you'll likely have your own stretch to work.

Surface Action Heating Up

If you’ve been itching to fish dries, now’s the time. Black and tan caddis are fluttering all over, and Blue-Winged Olives are still showing strong in the afternoons. Purple parachutes have also been surprisingly effective—those Driftless trout do love a little flair.

And don’t sleep on the craneflies—there have already been a few buzzing around, and their erratic bounce on the water can trigger aggressive takes when the hatch is on.

Subsurface Still Dominating

While the surface bite is picking up, the subsurface game remains rock solid. Thin-bodied nymphs with flash—like Rainbow Warriors and Frenchies—have been top producers early in the day or when fish are holding deep.

If those aren’t getting looks, it’s time to size up. Bulkier patterns like Purple Dranks, Pink Squirrels, Hare’s Ears, Princes, and Pheasant Tails are all catching fish right now. Fish them deep, bounce them through runs, and don’t be afraid to give them some movement.

Streamers: For the Bold and the Brave

Streamer action has been hot. If you haven’t chucked a black or olive streamer down a Driftless bank lately, you’re missing out. Watching a trout peel out from under a cut bank and smash your fly is about as fun as it gets. Fish them slow in the deeper pools or strip them through riffles and runs—both techniques are moving fish right now.

What to Pack

Here’s what we’re reaching for this week:

Dry Flies:

• Black & Tan Caddis (14–18)

• Blue-Winged Olive (18–20)

Nymphs:

• Rainbow Warriors

• Thread Frenchies (Olive or Purple)

• Olive Drank

• Purple Drank

• Pink Squirrel

• Hare’s Ear / Prince / Pheasant Tail

Streamers & Worms:

• Black or Olive Bugger-style streamers

Final Thoughts

With the weather holding steady and trout active across the board, this is hands-down one of the best times to be fly fishing the Driftless. Whether you’re a diehard nympher, a dry fly purist, or looking to get into streamer fishing, the fish are cooperating.

If things slow down, change up your water or switch flies. Sometimes it’s as simple as finding the right depth or riffle. Stay flexible, fish smart, and most of all—enjoy it out there.

Good luck, tight lines, and happy opener week from all of us at Driftless Flow.