Blackfoot River

October Is Our Favorite

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

As most of the fishing pressure around the Missoula area is winding down and focus is shifting towards the animals in the mountains, the fishing only gets better.

The nights are getting longer and the days are getting cooler. The trout seem to know whats coming and they are eating whatever comes over their heads. The Mayfly buffet is better then the senior special at Golden Corral. When things line up right you can have non-stop dry fly action. When things don’t line up you can roll an attractor where they should be a watch it happen.

BWO’s, Mahoganies, Tricos, A few Hecubas, October Caddis, and don’t forget the streamer fishing.

The Bitterroot and Clark Fork shine as the dry fly rivers right now. But don’t forget the Blackfoot as a streamer anglers Valhalla. So pick your river and go get ’em.

The bugs on our fly patches right now…. Beck’s Peacock Trico spinner. Hi-Viz Beatis. Red Willy’s Ant. The Sparkle Minnow. The Articulated Sparkle Minnow. Copper Haze. Parachute Adams. There are more, but those will get you started.

We have a few openings for guided trips left for October. If you would like to get out on the water one last time before winter sets in, now is the time to do it. If it means anything, Mangler guides are fishing hard on their days off right now. It’s that good. Our favorite time of year.

-The MAngler

…Because You Fish

Missoula Fly Fishing Outfitters
Clark Fork River

Fall Is Here.

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

Well that happened fast. Wasn’t it just early July and the Salmonflies were everywhere? Did August even happen this year? I guess time flies when you are netting fish.

The good news is that we are full swing into the mayfly buffet. Tricos, Hecubas, Mahogonies, and Blue wings. Don’t forgot the October caddis. Lot’s of those around as well.

Missoula Guided Fly Fishing

The fishing has been nothing short of fantastic this year. Some of the best that we have seen in recent memory. We still have our favorite time of year ahead of us though. Mid-September through October. The best dry fly fishing of the year. Just come see for yourself.

-The MAngler

Missoula Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Mid Summer Fishing Report 7.23

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

It seems we have quickly switched from high water to high summer. Our big bugs are gone and the fish have started to eat hoppers on all of our local rivers. The Hoppers are clicking around on the grass banks and the trout are chowing on them in the rivers.

The Clark Fork- The upper river is starting to see a little bit of moss. The good news is that the dry fly fishing has been fantastic when you hit it right. They are eating hoppers. Purple, Yellow, Tan, and Pink. Morrish, Pavs, More or less, and The Yeti have all been putting fish in the net. The lower river has been fishing very well when the clouds show up. But the lack of clouds can make the lower river feel like a ghost town.

The Bitterroot- The upper river, around and above Hamilton has been fishing very well. Mayfly and stone fly attractor patterns are bringing fish up. The hoppers are starting to play a bigger role. The mid and lower rivers have been good to spotty. If we get clouds go to the Root. If it’s bright and sunny you also have better options than the mid and lower Bitterroot. Upper river is where it’s at right now.

The Creek- Rock Creek is in its typical summer swing. The fish are looking up and willing to eat a dry fly. Again, just like everywhere else, if we get cloud cover the fishing will be better. But The creek fishes well regardless. A great wade fishing option right now.

The Blackfoot- The Blackfoot has been fantastic. Great dry fly fishing early to mid day. Around mid day things start to slow down. They have been eating the hopper like mad. Purple and Pink seem to be what they want the most. Moths soon.

Great dry fly fishing in the Missoula Area right now. We have a boat load of bugs in the shop. Stop by for what you need before you get on the water.

-The MAngler

…Because You Fish

Missoula Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Independence Day Fishing Report

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

The Rivers around Missoula are shaping up for an awesome summer of dry fly fishing. The high water has been a blessing in disguise. While June was a struggle to find clean water around Missoula, The rest of the summer will be a dry fly anglers dream. The Salmon Flies , Goldens, Drakes, P.M.D.’s, and Caddis are all coming off on all of the Missoula area rivers.

The Rivers are going to be crowded this weekend. If you are looking for some water to yourself I would look for a little creek you have never fished but always wanted to. This is a great time of year to do some exploring.

FWP has reopened The lowest section of The Blackfoot and soon reopening the Woodside area on The Bitteroot. Please use extream caution if you choose to float these stretches of the rivers. Portage left at the Woodside diversion. The dam is deceiving from the upstream view. Our rivers are still high and very strong, use caution this weekend.

Happy 4th of July everyone!

-The MAngler

…Because you fish.

Missoula Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Missoula Fly Fishing Report 6/12

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

Lady MAngler Molly has been crushing big fish lately. We love it.

Salmon flies. Green Drakes. A random Golden here and there. The bug buffet is starting to get rolling. It’s beautiful.

We don’t have to nymph over here. This isn’t the Mo. Throw on a dry fly and proceed to catch fish.

It’s summer time and the livin’ is easy.

Fish Rock Creek, Or The Blackfoot, or The Clark Fork. They are all fishing. Really they are.

Stop by the shop and get the up to the minute No B.S. low down on Missoula fishing .  110% accurate. Guaranteed.

-The MAngler

… Because You Fish

Missoula Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Missoula Area Fishing Report 6/11

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

Well one week ago I made the prediction that we would be fishing in Missoula in one week. Yesterday I floated lower Rock Creek and we fished the dry fly all day and caught some very nice brown trout. 6 or 7 fish 16 inches or bigger. Today I am heading to the Blackfoot for a guided trip.

The water is still high and a bit off color, but we are fishing in Missoula.

The Clark: The upper river looks great. It is running high and not extremely wade-able, but fishing it from a boat would be great. There are bugs, big ones and little ones hatching and the fish are noticing. The Lower river will take some time to come into shape, but when it does… That’s where I will be.

The Creek: SALMONFLIES are river wide. They are there in numbers and the fish are noticing them. It’s good and it’s just about as much fun as you can have. Get up there if you can. Just be very very careful if you are wade fishing. The river is moving right now. There is a lot of water and it is stronger than you are.

Rock Creek Salmon Flies
Somethings Going On In That Tree

The Root: Good words coming from the few folks who are fishing The Bitterroot right now. It’s still very big but in the right spots they can and will eat a dry fly. I would look for the soft water and nymph ’em up.

The Foot: It’s going from brown to green and that means that the big fish are eating. Look for the soft inside seams and work big stonefly nymphs, Worms, and streamer stuff close to the bank. It’s the time of year that some of the biggest fish come out of that river.

Stop by the shop before you get on the water. We have everything you need to catch a trout in Montana right now. We also have boats on the water every day so we can give you an up to the minute report.

-The MAngler

…Because You Fish