Author: Taylor Scott

Bitterroot

  It’s sun versus cloud time. Sunny weather brings out the tricos ad hoppers. Clouds and rain bring out the Mahoganies, BWO’s and Hecubas. October caddis are active as well.  Don’t be afraid to run a longer, finer leader in the low, clear water. The bigger fish are starting to move more, and are susceptible to a well placed streamer. Small droppers are working well if the surface action isn’t what you’re looking for

Blackfoot

While the tricos hatch, or the BWO’s and Mahoganies, we’re waiting for the streamer fishing to really get hot. Maybe a few more cold nights will jumpstart the big fish eating little fish cycle. As always, the hatches are localized, but when you find them, they’re good.  October caddis are starting to appear in numbers, which is always fun. The inner tubers are mostly gone, so the lower section is back and fishing well.

Clark Fork

Starting to round into shape. Fish are podding up, and focusing on the hatches. Be ready for hatch overlap, where a double dry rig will let you double your chances during multiple hatches. We’re seeing tricos in the sun, BWO’s, Mahoganies and Hecubas in the clouds. Not as much streamer fishing yet, but for the intrepid big fly thrower, the biggest fish are looking. It just won’t be veryt hot at the moment. Small and medium size droppers are working, including the rubberlegs. Fishing well right now.

Rock Creek

Like all the other rivers, tricos in the sun, BWO’s and Mahoganies in the clouds. October Caddis are being seen, but not as many as we hoped. That will change rapidly. Bigger fish are moving out of their summer lies, and becoming more accessible. Fishing well along the length. Again, the window of opportunity is shrinking. You can safely start fishing later and ending earlier without missing much. Make sure you have your nymphs. Still great nymphing up here.

Call to sign up for our Fall and Winter fly tying classes with George Kesel.

Beginners – Advanced tiers

Bitterroot-  With the weather turning cooler, there’s no need to be on the water at sparrowfart! You can start later in the morning, but still stay till the end of the day. On the warmer days, look for tricos. Cooler days will bring on BWO’s and maybe Mahoganies. Either way, the Hecubas are being eaten. So the Bitterroot is an excellent option, with the upper section providing some good fishing for nice fish, while the lower section is getting technical and exciting for big fish.

Blackfoot-  The cool weather is going to make the Blackfoot start thinking about fall. That means big fish eating little fish, so make sure you’ve got your streamers. White, as a color, has been producing, and so has the Sparkle Minnow. Hoppers will rebound as the weather warms up, and the fall hatches- tricos, BWOS and Mahoganies are all going to start. Floating really well right now, and fishing well too!

Clark Fork-  The fish are starting to pod up in the lower section! So exciting. Tricos on the warm days, BWO with clouds. Still a few PMD’s and PED’s, crazy as that sounds. So if you’re looking for technical, the CF may be the place! And don’t neglect the Hopper/Dropper, it’s still producing well if the fish aren’t co-operating in pods.

Rock Creek- After an epic spruce moth hatch, the Creek is opening up to hoppers and droppers. The tricos are being seen, and the fish are eating them. With the cooler weather, BWO’s and Mahoganies are going to start showing. But don’t neglect the hoppers, they’re still hopping and trout are still eating them. And if you’re hopping, you’re dropping as well! Still the best wading option in town.

Blackfoot – The dry fly fishing on the Blackfoot has been great.  Early morning has been most productive. The Hopper dropper rig has been our go to as we are in the transition period between hatches right now as we are waiting for more of the fall bugs to show up. We have some very new and exciting dropper flies that have been very productive for our guides so come on in and ask about them.

Clark Fork – After a long spring and tons of water, the Clark Fork is now back to its normal summer fishing with PMD’s and Tricos in the morning and the Hopper Dropper rig is our go to mid day. The evening Caddis hatches have been productive as well. Look for the fall bugs to start popping in a few weeks.

Rock Creek –Rock Creek is a great wade option now as the water levels are back to a safe level. The fishing has been productive throughout the day but the morning will be your most productive time. Other bugs on the menu include PMD’s, Yellow Sallies, Golden Stones and other terrestrials like Hoppers and Ants.

Blackfoot – The dry fly fishing on the Blackfoot has been great especially early mornings as the Spruce Moth hatch is in full swing and the fish are very happy about those bugs. After the morning dies off and the Spruce Moths disappear then it’s time for your favorite Hopper Dropper rig. We have some very new and exciting dropper flies that have been very productive for our guides so come on in and ask about them.

Clark Fork – After a long spring and tons of water, the Clark Fork is now back to its normal summer fishing with PMD’s and Spruce Moths in the morning and the Hopper Dropper rig is our go to mid day. The evening Caddis hatches have been productive as well but keep an eye on water temperature in the coming weeks as the afternoon/evenings can be bit to warm to safely fight fish. Your fishery will thank you for it in the future!

Rock Creek –Rock Creek is a great wade option now as the water levels are back to a safe level. The fishing has been productive throughout the day but the morning Spruce Moth hatch has been incredible. Other bugs on the menu include PMD’s, Yellow Sallies, Golden Stones and other terrestrials like Hoppers and Ants.

Blackfoot – The dry fly fishing on the Blackfoot has been great. We have fished both the upper and lower end this week and both ends fished well. On the upper there is still plenty of Salmon Flies and Golden Stones to keep you busy dry fly fishing. The streamer fishing is really improving and we have seen some big fish this week and should continue to get better and better. Looks like all of our rivers around Missoula are finally coming down to decent flows.

Clark Fork – The Clark is starting to become an option. While there is still a lot of water on the lower end, the sections closer to town have been producing good dry fly and nymph fishing. Hatches include Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s and a still some Green Drakes around.

Rock Creek –

Rock Creek is still a little above average flows but the fishing has been awesome. It is dry fly madness up here with Golden Stones, PMD’s, Yellow Sallies and Green Drakes have shown up and the fishing has been good. There is still a lot of water in the creek right now so be careful out there.

Blackfoot – After another big bump, the Blackfoot is coming back into shape. We have fished both the upper and lower end this week and both ends fished well. On the upper there is still plenty of Salmon Flies and Golden Stones to keep you busy dry fly fishing. The streamer fishing is really improving and we have seen some big fish this week and should continue to get better and better. Looks like all of our rivers around Missoula are finally coming down to decent flows.

Clark Fork – There are better options then the Clark. We will keep you posted in the next few weeks.

Rock Creek – Rock Creek is running high but clarity is good and one of your better options in the area. Salmon flies have passed but the Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies and Green Drakes have shown up and the fishing has been good. There is still a lot of water in the creek right now so be careful out there.