Bitterroot River

• At Darby
• At Missoula

Winding its way north between the Sapphire and Bitterroot Mountains that border the Bitterroot Valley, the Bitterroot River offers 80 miles of varied, lively and often challenging fly fishing action before it meets the Clark Fork just below Missoula. The Bitterroot is a complex river system that often changes season to season as new channels form and old ones disappear. The cottonwoods that line the majority of the river also create excellent big trout habitat when they are washed into the river along the numerous cut banks.

The Bitterroot offers good wade access from several fishing access sites but nearly all the land adjacent to the river is private so be mindful of Montana stream access law while wading. Floating the Bitterroot is an excellent way to cover more water but be prepared for narrow and tricky channels around numerous log jams. We recommend you develop solid rowing skills before floating the Bitterroot or plan your float with a guided trip. Floating the Bitterroot offers all the classic beauty you would imagine your Montana fly fishing experience is supposed to provide. Moving slowing through a wide ranching valley, in and out of cottonwood groves, you will find the mountain views in the distance make it hard to keep your eye focused on your fly.

Dry fly fishing begins with a bang on the Bitterroot with the Skwala hatch from mid March into mid April. Experienced anglers know this is the best time of year to entice the big Bitterroot browns to the surface that lurk in the deep water the rest of the season. Other hatches to plan your trip to the Bitterroot around include grey drakes and march browns in the spring, salmon flies and green drakes in late spring, golden stones, bitterroot stones, and pale morning duns in early to mid summer, tricos and hoppers in late summer, and hecubas, mahoganies, and baetis in the fall. Call our shop for check our fishing report for current hatch information.

Bitterroot Fishing Report for: 10/7/2008