Bitterroot River
The Bitterroot is a great option right now and the dry fly fishing has been good. We have been seeing plenty of PMD’s, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, Tricos and the hopper fishing is in full swing too. If you come across a mid day lull then the dry dropper rig will keep you busy. Our go to droppers right now are the G-Kes Ptail Hot Spot, Jiggin Stones and just about any color Perd’s. For Dries we have been running Water Walkers, Plan B’s and Flush Floater.
Blackfoot River
The Blackfoot is warming up but still fishing good throughout the morning and early afternoon. The spruce moths have been around for the last week or so but not in any numbers until this week. We have been seeing lots of moths which will keep the fish busy for the next few weeks. It’s terrestrial time on the Blackfoot so focus on Hoppers, Moths, ants and beetles. Flies to try include the Mangler Moth, Fathead Moth, Ant-Acid, Water Walkers, Plan B’s, Flush Floaters, Mill Creek, Super G for dries and for droppers try Perd’s, Ptail Soft Spots, G-Kes, Jiggin Stones and Jig Pheasant Tails.
Clark Fork River
The Clark Fork has been fishing good from the top to the bottom. Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s, Tricos, Spruce Moths and some decent hopper action is on the menu right now. Some of the best fishing in Missoula can be found on the Clark Fork this time of year. For flies most of your PMD patterns will work along with bigger bugs like the Water Walkers, Plan B’s and Flush Floater, Mangler Moth, Fathead Moth. Droppers include G-Kes Ptail Hot Spot, Jiggin Stones and just about any color Perd’s.
Rock Creek
Rock Creek is one of your best options right now along with dozens of other tributaries in the Missoula area for wading. Spruce Moths, Golden Stones and Yellow Sallies have been our go to and the hopper fishing is producing some great fish too. Most days there is no need to go subsurface unless you want to. Dries all day long is the game right now.
Here is a few tips for protecting our fish with the warmer water temps that we have seen lately:
Limit the amount of handling time. Take the hook out and put the fish back in the water asap.
Use heavier tippet so you are not fighting the fish for a prolonged period of time. 3x and 4x is just fine this time of year.
Be diligent later in the day when water warms up.
Explore the high mountain creeks and springs where the water is much cooler and fish are much happier.