Missoula Fly Fishing Report 9/1

August 31, 2024

Fly Fishing Report Brought To You By Our Missoula Fly Fishing Guides And Fly Shop Staff.
Enjoy and Good Luck!

Bitterroot River

The Bitterroot river fishing has been good over the last week with cooler temps and longer nights. All hoot owl restrictions have been lifted and you can now fish all day.
The upper is fishing a bit better later in the day with cooler water temps than the lower stretches.
The dry fly fishing has really picked up with the recent cool down. Hatches include Tricos, Hoppers and Hecubas.
Streamer fishing has also been good in the morning, and of course the dropper game will pick up fish throughout the day.
We’re excited for cooler and longer nights that are upon us right now and things are shaping up to be a really good September and October for us here in Missoula.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

The Blackfoot river fly fishing has been good over the last week and should continue to fish good throughout September. We’ve been experiencing below average temperatures this August and it has really improved all the rivers in the area, including the Blackfoot.
We’ve been mostly fishing dry fly terrestrials lately. Hoppers, Ants and Beetles have been the main game. These Terrestrials typically fish good through September, and October Caddis should be showing up in a few weeks.
We have also been getting some good fish on streamers throughout the day, and this should get better and better as fall approaches.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River

The Clark Fork river like the rest of our rivers, is starting to fish really good with the longer nights and cooler temperatures. Hoot Owl restrictions have been lifted on all stretches of the Clark Fork. So now you can fish all day long.
The dry fly fishing has really picked up with Tricos, Hoppers, and Hecubas on the lower stretches during overcast days.
The fishing should continue to get better throughout September and October.
Expect October Caddis, BWO’s and Mahogany hatches in a few weeks. For now focus more on Terrestrials and Tricos for the time being.
We have also started to have some decent action on streamers early morning.
Get ready for some great Fall fishing!

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Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Rock Creek fishing has continued to produce and is only getting better every day with the cooler weather and shorter days.
The dry fly fishing has been good enough on most days to not have to throw a dropper on, but don’t hesitate to trail a nymph off the hopper during slow periods.
Hatches include Terrestrials like Hoppers, Ants and Beetles. Hoppers should continue to fish good throughout September and October Caddis along with a few BWO and Mahoganys should be coming in a few weeks as we head into fall.
The streamer fishing has also been decent throughout the day.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Rock Creek Streamflow

September Hatches

Click any photo below to find out more information on each individual hatch. Includes life cycle, best fly patterns, helpful tips and where to find these hatches in your Western Montana fly fishing adventure.

Best October Caddis Patterns

13 Tips For Fly Fishing Streamers

Bitterroot River

Missoula Fishing Report 8/19

August 19, 2024

Fly Fishing Report Brought To You By Our Missoula Fly Fishing Guides And Fly Shop Staff.
Enjoy and Good Luck!

Bitterroot River

The Bitterroot river fishing has been fishing good over the last week with longer and cooler nights, and some help from some recent rain storms.
Hoot Owl restrictions have been lifted on the lower from the confluence with the Clark Fork upstream to Veterans Bridge. We expect these restrictions to be lifted on the lower river by late this week or early next week if weather forecast stays true. We have some cooler weather headed our way towards the end of this week. The cooler weather and longer nights will make for some much better conditions moving forward.
The water temps on the lower will still be warm this week and still an early morning game and off the water early.
The upper is much different and has substantially cooler water temps.
Hatches right now include mostly terrestrials like Hoppers, Ants and Beetles. We are also seeing some Hecuba’s and Trico’s kicking around as well.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

The Blackfoot river fishing has been good lately with the cooler weather moving in and the longer nights that are improving water temperatures. Hoot Owl has been lifted for the whole Blackfoot river and you are now aloud to fish throughout the day.
Water temps are still getting a bit high in the afternoon on warm days, but this will improve a lot over the next week with another cold front moving in and much longer nights than we’ve seen over the last month.
The fishing will just get better and better from here on out for the rest of August and especially September.
It’s mainly a terrestrial game with Hoppers, Ants and Beetles.
The dry fly fishing has been good enough lately to not have to throw a dropper on most days.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River

The Clark Fork river like the rest of our rivers is improving day by day. With longer nights and cooler temps, the Clark Fork is fishing much better than the last month and is only going to get better with even cooler weather and longer nights coming over the next week or two.
Hoot Owl restrictions have been lifted on the lower river from the confluence of Rock Creek on down.
Restrictions are still in place from the mouth of Warm Springs down to the confluence of Rock Creek.
Dry fly fishing has been good with Terrestrials like Hoppers, Ants, Beetles. The Trico fishing in the morning has been good along with some Hecuab’s during the rainy days.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Rock Creek fishing has been good lately and should keep getting better and better with the cooler temps and longer nights ahead. Hoot Owl has been lifted like many of the other river stretches around Missoula.
The dry fly fishing has been good with mainly terrestrials like Hoppers, Ants and Beetles.
Temperatures are still getting a bit high in the afternoon, so focus on the first half of the day this week. Cooler weather is in the forecast for the end of this week and fishing throughout the day should be better after this week, unless weather changes and warmer days come. But The longer nights should really help water temps cool down in the coming week.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Rock Creek Streamflow

August Hatches

Best Hopper Patterns

Best Goldenstone Patterns

Best Hecuba Patterns

Best Trico Patterns

Tips For Fishing Ants & Beetles

13 Tips For Fly Fishing Streamers

Bitterroot River

Missoula Fishing Report 8/11

August 11, 2024

Fly Fishing Report Brought To You By Our Missoula Fly Fishing Guides And Fly Shop Staff.
Enjoy and Good Luck!

Bitterroot River

The Bitterroot river fishing has been fishing much better over the last few weeks with the cooler night time and daytime temperatures, and rain we’ve been seeing lately.
The lower river is still seeing some high water temperatures in the afternoon, but decent temperature in the early morning.
The upper river is doing much better as far as water temperatures are concerned, even getting down into the lower 50’s degree temps in the early morning.
With night time temperatures cooling down and longer nights, we should see the fishing improve a lot over the next few weeks and in to the fall.
The hatches right now are Trico’s, Hoppers and Hecubas.
It will continue to be an early morning game until temps continue to drop and hoot owl is lifted.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

The Blackfoot river fishing has improved over the last few weeks with the cooler night time temps and rain we received lately. The cooling trend looks like it’s going to continue with future weather forecasts temperatures of highs in the 70’s on some days and lower 80’s for the next week or so.
The fishing should only get better from here on out.
As of now, it’s still and early morning game and off by 2pm due to hoot owl. We expect hoot owl to be lifted as the nights become longer and water temps continuing to drop over the next couple of weeks.
We’re still seeing a few spruce moths kick around but they were pretty short lived this year. Focus your time on other terrestrials like hoppers, ants and beetles.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River

The Clark Fork river like the rest of our rivers, is starting to improve with cooler night time temperatures and the recent rain events. The water temperature yesterday at the superior gauge topped out at 68, still pretty warm but starting to improve. This downward temperature trend should continue in the coming weeks with cooler night time temps and the longer nights coming will really improve fishing and fish safety.
As of now, we are still on hoot owl restrictions but we expect that to be lifted in the next few week.s
The Clark Fork and the rest of our local rivers are shaping up to be a great fall for fly fishing this year.
Hatches to focus on are Trico’s, Terrestrials and Hecubas.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Rock Creek fishing has been good over the last week with the cooler temps, and should continue to fish better and better as we move into longer nights and cooler temps. The future forecast is cooler than average and this should improve fishing going forward.
Rock Creek is still under hoot owl restrictions, so get up early and fish the morning and done fishing by 2pm. We expect the restrictions to be lifted in the next couple weeks as water temps are dropping.
It’s been mostly a terrestrial game out there lately, so have your Hoppers, Ants and Beetles ready.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Rock Creek Streamflow

August Hatches

Best Hopper Patterns

Best Goldenstone Patterns

Best Hecuba Patterns

Best Trico Patterns

Tips For Fishing Ants & Beetles

13 Tips For Fly Fishing Streamers

Missoula Fly Fishing Report 7/19

July 13, 2024

Fly Fishing Report Brought To You By Our Missoula Fly Fishing Guides And Fly Shop Staff.
Enjoy and Good Luck!

Bitterroot River

The Bitterroot river fishing has been good in the morning and slow in the afternoon. The cooler water towards the upper stretches is fishing much better than the lower end. FWP has now implemented Hoot Owl Restrictions from where the west and east fork come together to the confluence of the Clark Fork, meaning you will have to be done fishing after 2pm. These restrictions are due to warm water temperatures in the afternoon and prohibits fishing between 2pm and midnight.
While the fishing is decent in the morning, things slow down dramatically late morning and it’s a good idea to go hit one of your favorite small tributaries as these run much cooler than the bigger rivers this time of year and will be much better fishing. Don’t hesitate to go fish your favorite Lake or go explore a new one.
Golden Stones, PMD, Yellow Sallies and hopper are the hatches going on the Bitterroot and it’s tributaries.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

The Blackfoot river fishing continues to fish decent early morning, but slows down quickly as the water warms up by late morning. There is now Hoot Owl Restrictions on the Blackfoot from the confluence with the Clark Fork to Cedar Meadows, meaning no fishing between 2pm and midnight.
Get on the water early and off early, or go explore one of the many tributaries up the Blackfoot and around Missoula to seek out much cooler water temps. There’s plenty of options to fish around Missoula like this and plenty of stillwater options.
Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s, Spruce Moths and Hoppers are on the menu for the Blackfoot and it’s tributaries.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River

The Clark Fork river like the rest of our rivers are slowing down due to warm water temps. Hoot Owl Restrictions are in place for the Clark Fork from the mouth of Warm Springs to the confluence with the Flathead river. You must be done fishing from the hours between 2pm to midnight.
We’ve said it a few times in this report and we’ll say it again, the Clark Fork and the surrounding Missoula area has some great small tributaries with much cooler water than the big rivers and will be fishing good. Go explore some water you’ve haven’t and maybe bust out your favorite 2wt and 3wt. There’s also some great options for lakes in Western Montana.
The hatches on the Clark Fork and it’s tributaries include Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s, Trico’s, Spruce Moths and Hoppers.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Rock Creek fishing has been decent in the first half of the day and slowing down the second half of the day. Rock Creek is one of your better options for bigger streams around Missoula, but like the rest, the early morning is the best time to fish and cooler water temps in the upper 50’s and low 60’s.
Hatches include Golden Stones, PMD’s, Yellow Sallies, Spruce Moths and Hoppers.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Rock Creek Streamflow

July Hatches

Best Hopper Patterns

Best Goldenstone Patterns

Yellow Sally Overview

Best Trico Patterns

Best PMD Patterns

13 Tips For Fly Fishing Streamers

Bitterroot River

Missoula Fishing Report 7/8

July 8, 2024

Fly Fishing Report Brought To You By Our Missoula Fly Fishing Guides And Fly Shop Staff.
Enjoy and Good Luck!

Bitterroot River

The Bitterroot river fishing has been good over the last few weeks with plenty of bugs and good water temperatures. The water will warm up with this week as warmer weather moves in, especially on the lower end. The upper stretches will stay much cooler than the lower and is a better option for fishing throughout the day and the lower will be better fished during the first half of the day.
We’ve been seeing good hatches of Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s and even some early Hopper and Trico action.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

The Blackfoot river fishing has been good in the morning and slowing down throughout the afternoon. Get on early and off mid-day for best fishing.
There’s still Golden Stones hatching along with Yellow Sallies, PMD’s and we’re starting to see fish eat hoppers as well.
The streamer fishing continues to produce big fish, but the streamer fishing slows down into the second half of the day.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River

The Clark Fork river continues to fish good on the lower, while the upper end is a little tougher fishing lately. We’ve been seeing good hatches of PMD’s, Yellow Sallies, Golden Stones, and a few Tricos. The hopper fishing is just getting started and should continue to get better. Like the rest of our rivers, get out early and off by mid day to beat the heat. While our big rivers are starting to get warm in the afternoon, the smaller tributaries are a good choice in the afternoon as temperatures heat up. These tributaries around Missoula stay much cooler.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Rock Creek fishing continues to produce some great fishing. Water temperatures are still good and the fishing remains good all day, but the best fishing will be had in the first half of the day. Pick your poison for how you want to catch fish from dry fly to nymph to streamers, it’s all been fishing good up here.
For hatches, focus on Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s and hoppers.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Rock Creek Streamflow

July Hatches

Best Hopper Patterns

Best Goldenstone Patterns

Yellow Sally Overview

Best Trico Patterns

Best PMD Patterns

13 Tips For Fly Fishing Streamers

Bitterroot River

Missoula Fishing Report 7/1

June 30, 2024

Fly Fishing Report Brought To You By Our Missoula Fly Fishing Guides And Fly Shop Staff.
Enjoy and Good Luck!

Bitterroot River

The Bitterroot river fishing is picking up on the middle and lower sections, and continues to fish great on the upper stretches. The hatches are strong with Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s, Green Drakes and the Terrestrial fishing is starting to come in to play.
We’ve been seeing some great dry fly fishing, especially in the cloudy weather this week, and this fishing should continue to be good for weeks to come.
The upper stretches are fishing a little better later in the morning, while the middle and lower sections seem to be fishing better during the first half of the day.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

The Blackfoot river fishing continues to produce some great fishing. There’s still some Salmonflies kicking around on the upper but they are tapering off. We’re still seeing plenty of Golden Stones from top to bottom along with good hatches of Yellow Sallies, PMD’s and Green Drakes. The Grasshoppers are already getting pretty big and should start to produce in the coming weeks.
The streamer fishing has also been very productive over the last week, especially during overcast days.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River

The Clark Fork river fishing has been great on dry flies with some great PMD hatches, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies and Green Drakes. We’re getting good reports throughout the system from top to bottom. The fishing has been best the first half of the day in the sun and good fishing has been seen all day during overcast days.
It looks like we will be getting more clouds throughout the beginning of the week and the Clark Fork is one of the better options in the Missoula area during overcast days.
The streamer fishing and dropper game has also been great lately and should continue to produce.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Rock Creek fishing continues to produce some great days on the water. The Salmonflies have been done for a while, but still plenty of Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies and a few good Green Drake days on cloudy days.
The flows are down to a good wade fishing level and no more boats allowed as of July 1st.
We’re still fishing mainly dry flies but the dropper and streamer fishing has also been good.
Take advantage of the good flows and cooler water temps this week.

Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Rock Creek Streamflow