Missoula Fly Fishing Report 7/19

by MAngler

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

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 Hopper Patterns
Best Goldenstone Patterns
Yellow Sally Overview
Best Trico Patterns
Best PMD Patterns
13 Tips For Fly Fishing Streamers
Missoula Fly Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Missoula Fishing Report 7/8

by MAngler

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

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 Hopper Patterns
Best Goldenstone Patterns
Yellow Sally Overview
Best Trico Patterns
Best PMD Patterns
13 Tips For Fly Fishing Streamers
Missoula Fly Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Missoula Fishing Report 7/1

by MAngler

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

July 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 Hopper Patterns
Best Goldenstone Patterns
Yellow Sally Overview
Best Green Drake Patterns
Best PMD Patterns
13 Tips For Fly Fishing Streamers
Missoula Fly Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Missoula Fishing Report 6/21

by MAngler

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 depending on what section you’re on. The upper sections have been more productive with fewer Salmonflies on the forks, more Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s and green drakes. We are starting to see some more bugs on the middle and lower river but still waiting for more to show up. It should happen soon with the warmer weather coming.


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 awesome lately with plenty of bugs. Salmonflies are still present on the upper and middle river and Golden Stones throughout the system. Flows are stable and water temps are good. The clouds brought some decent Green Drake numbers, but the sun will bring out more Salmonflies, Golden Stones and Yellow Sallies.
The streamer fishing has also been great with active fish chasing from top to bottom. Single dries have been productive, but the dropper game during lulls will keep you busy during these slow periods.

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 good lately. The dry fly fishing has really picked up over the last few weeks with Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s and Green Drakes. Over the last week, the Green Drake dry fly fishing was great on the on the Clark Fork, but the sun should bring out more Stoneflies like Golden Stones and Yellow Sallies. we’re starting to find some good pods up on PMD’s as well. The streamer fishing has been good, like the rest of our rivers in Missoula.
The Clark Fork river is fishing good top to bottom and should continue to get better over the following weeks.

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

Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Rock Creek fishing has been good. We’re not seeing as many Salmonflies as we have in past weeks, but still plenty of Golden Stones out. The cool cloudy weather over the last week brought out plenty of Green Drakes and willing fish. Yellow Sallies and PMD’s are also solid choices for dry flies.
The flows on Rock Creek have dropped down into a good level for wade fishing and getting a little boney for boats, but still enough water. We expect flows to keep dropping into a more wade fishing favorable level.

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

Rock Creek Streamflow

June/July 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 Salmonfly Patterns
Best Goldenstone Patterns
Yellow Sally Overview
Best Green Drake Patterns
Best PMD Patterns
13 Tips For Fly Fishing Streamers
Missoula Fly Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Missoula Fishing Report 6/14

by MAngler

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 is starting to fish better by day. The upper stretches are still fishing the best with Salmonflies, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s and Green drakes.
We still haven’t seen good numbers of bigger bugs on the middle and lower river yet. The Clarity is decent on the middle and upper and the nymphing and streamer fishing is picking up.
We’ll keep you posted on the rest of the river as it shapes up. Until then, focus your time on the upper reaches.


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

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

The Blackfoot river has continued to produce some great fishing days. Salmonflies have been hatching throughout the entire length of the river, although the bottom stretches are turning over to more Golden Stones.
This weekends weather is calling for more clouds and rain than sun, so have your Green Drake patterns ready to throw.
While fish on the Blackfoot will still eat the Salmon and Golden throughout the cold snap, the Green Drake fishing can be great up there in the clouds.
The streamer fishing should also be fantastic on the Blackfoot during the this cold front.
They’re calling for a lot of snow in the mountains coming, along with rain in the lower elevations. We’ll see how this affects the flow after this weekend.

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

Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River

The Clark Fork river has started to produce some good dry fly fishing over the last week. Be ready for some great Green Drake hatches coming with the cloudy weather. While the Salmonfly and Golden Stones get the most attention this time of year, The Green Drake dry fly fishing can be as good or better than the stoneflies, especially during the cloudy weather.
We’ve been seeing Salmonflies, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s and Green Drakes over the last week.
Like the rest of our rivers, keep streamers in mind on these colder days coming, they can be incredibly affective this time of year during the darker days.


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

Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Rock Creek fishing continued to be great dry fly fishing with Salmonflies, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies and Green Drakes. The Salmon Flies are thickest on the upper stretches while the Golden Stones are dominating the lower stretches. Plenty of Golden stones on the upper stretches as well. Keep some Green Drakes handy for this weekend during the cold snap.
We’ll see what happens with the forecast as lots of snow is expected in the high elevation. We could see a bump in flows after the rain and snow this weekend.
We’ll keep you posted.

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

Rock Creek Streamflow

June/July 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 Salmonfly Patterns
Best Goldenstone Patterns
Yellow Sally Overview
Best Green Drake Patterns
Best PMD Patterns
13 Tips For Fly Fishing Streamers
Missoula Fly Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Missoula Fishing Report 6/10

by MAngler

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 is slowly coming into play. More so on the upper stretches and in to the West and East Fork with Salmonflies, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies in the sun and Green Drakes in the Clouds. The middle and lower stretches have seen some Goldens, Yellow Sallies and Green drakes, but the water is still moving quickly and we haven’t seen a lot of bugs hatching yet. This should change soon with the flows coming down and water temps rising.
Be prepared with Golden Stone, Yellow Sallies and Green Drake dries on the mainstem in the coming weeks. For now, be prepared to throw more nymphs and streamers than dries until the bugs show up.


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

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

The Blackfoot river has has been good over the last few days with lots of Salmonflies and Golden Stones hatching throughout the river. The dry fly fishing has been good and should just get better. We’ve been throwing single dries throughout the day, but don’t hesitate to throw on a dropper during slow periods of the day.
We have also had some really good streamer days with brighter color streamers in the sun. With the water temperatures right now, you can use a fairly fast retrieve tight to the bank and swinging through the run.
Be prepared with Salmonfly dries and Golden Stones in the coming week.
The Blackfoot is pretty hard to beat right now for dry fly fishing, but to be honest all of the rivers and tributaries are coming into shape and should fish good from here on out.

Check out this link here for some great tips on fishing the Salmonfly hatch

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

Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River

The Clark Fork river clarity has improved a lot over the last few days and fishing is starting to improve. We’ve been seeing a few Salmonflies, Goldens, Sallies and Green drakes popping, and that should continue in the coming weeks.
We’ve been having better luck on the dropper game lately, so don’t hesitate to put on a big Salmon or Golden dry and drop a nymph off the back.
Streamer fishing has been consistent and it’s the time of year to pull some really big fish out on streamers with heavier sink tips.
We’ll keep you posted as the hatches continue to improve.


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

Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Rock Creek fishing been awesome over the last week and no signs of slowing down. The Salmonfly hatch is thickest on the middle to upper sections with less of them on the lower, but still some and the fish are still eating them well on the lower end. As the Salmonfly hatch progresses upstream, the Goldens follow, so be ready to fish Golden Stone dries if you’re not seeing many adult Salmonflies around. If the clouds come, have some Green Drake dries ready to throw.
There typically is no reason to throw anything but dry flies this time on Rock Creek.

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

Rock Creek Streamflow

June/July 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 Salmonfly Patterns
Best Goldenstone Patterns
Yellow Sally Overview
Best Green Drake Patterns
Best PMD Patterns
13 Tips For Fly Fishing Streamers