A freestone river runs free — no dam regulating its flow. Spring snowmelt, summer thunderstorms, and tributary inputs drive everything: high and muddy in May, gin-clear and skinny in late August, rising again with September rain.
Freestone fish are opportunistic feeders. They take what comes when it comes; they're not as picky as tailwater trout, but they're also not as predictable. Cover water, fish bigger flies in the right windows, and read changing conditions on the fly.