Rock Creek July 28, 2010
Flow: 556 CFS
Weather:
Hatches: Pale Duns and Spinners, Yellow Sallies, Golden Stones, Caddis, Spruce Moths, Hoppers
Comments: Spruce Moths are starting to make a splash up here along with Sallies, Caddis, Terrestrials, and PMDs. The Creek is fishing very well and should offer good action for wade anglers from here into October.
Clark Fork River July 28, 2010
Flow: 701 at Drummond, 1,060 at Turah, 2,720 below Missoula, 3,420 at St Regis
Weather:
Hatches: Hoppers, Golden Stones, Pale Duns and Spinners, Caddis
Comments: The Clark Fork has been offering good fishing through its entire length. Cooler temps over the last couple of days should put some juice back into the fishing on the lower river. Hoppers and goldens in the upper are playing well. Beadhead droppers off your big dries can up the catch rate when things slow down but there are plenty of fish up to make the day worth your time right now. The fish are big and fat through the whole river and the Clark Fork is back like you remember it. The fall mayfly fishing ahead is going to be something to remember.
Blackfoot River July 28, 2010
Flow: 869 CFS
Weather:
Hatches: Hoppers, Attractors, Goldens, PMDs, Caddis
Comments: The last couple days of clouds and cooler highs have brought water temps back into the happy range. You should see good fishing through the whole day but be prepared to vary your techniques if things slow down on top. You'll want to have some big foam attractors/golden stones like the Chubby Chernobyl, etc; some mayfly offerings for the PMD spinner fall like the Purple Haze; hoppers, beetles, ants, etc for the afternoon, and caddis for the evening. If things slow down on top the nymphing continues to be strong with everything from Princes, Copper Johns, and PTs to Rubberlegs. Avoid the lower floats in the afternoon unless you're in to dodging inner tubes.
Bitterroot River July 28, 2010
Flow: 610 CFS at Darby and 712 CFS at Missoula
Weather:
Hatches: Nocturnal Giant Goldens, Bitterroot Stones, and Sallies in the upper, PMDs and spinners through the whole river, Hoppers, Ants, Beetles, and Caddis
Comments: The last couple of cooler cloudy days have brought the water temps back down into the friendly range on the lower river and the upper river remains characteristically cold so you're looking at good fishing conditions through the whole river for the next few days. The morning spinner fall has had good fish up sipping right through mid day. Giant Goldens in the upper half of the river have been making prospecting early with a big tan whatever productive as well. Caddis are out and about enough to make it worth running a size 16 tan caddis solo or as a dropper from mid afternoon to dark. Hopper fishing has started to produce in the afternoons. There are still decent numbers of Sally Stones and the occasional Bitterroot Stone making a splash here and there as well. Don't forget your ant box this time of year either. Whew, lots of options...