Missoula Fly Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Missoula Fishing Report 6/7

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 clear along the length. It’s NOT clear, but it is fishable in the upper sections. Subsurface is the main game, big nymphs and streamers. The Salmon Flies have been sparsely spotted, but no reports of actual fish eating on the surface. So close we can taste it on the upper section, but don’t expect much till mid to late week.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

The Blackfoot River is still high and way off color, but it has been dropping for 48 hours and is starting to think about clearing. We think the big water bumps are mostly done, so expect the Blackfoot to be fishing by the weekend. If you’re looking to throw some big streamers to hungry fish, look for the weekend to make a start to summer on the Blackfoot.
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Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River


The lower section of the lower Clark Fork River is blown, and will be for the foreseeable future. The upper section is fishing in spots, but is still not a great option. Most travelers are making the right at Drummond and heading to Rock Creek. If you go up high, it’s a nymph and streamer game for the most part. Have your Pat’s Rubberlegs in Brown and Black, and a few smaller streamers. If you get all the way to Warm Springs, have your scuds and leeches.
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Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Rock Creek Flows have been dropping for the last 36 hours. The salmon flies are being seen on the lower river, and a few fish are coming to the surface. The river is still above normal flows, so waders should be very careful as you hit the water. Water temps are dropping and will stay down for the next 4 days, if the weather holds to prediction. Start subsurface with a Peacock Double Bead Stone, Brown Pat’s Rubberlegs or Black/Brown TJ Hooker. Now’s the fun time for Salmon dries, so when the adults hit the water, be ready with a Dancing Ricky, Damien’s SUV or any big, foamy bug with lots of rubberlegs. It’s early in the hatch, big and gaudy move fish to the surface.
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Rock Creek Streamflow

June 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.

7 Tips For Fly Fishing The Salmonfly Hatch
Golden Stone Overview
Yellow Sally Overview
Green Drake Overview
9 Tips For Fly Fishing The Trico Hatch
Tan Caddis Overview
Missoula Fly Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Missoula Fly Fishing Report 5/4

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 fly fishing has been slow lately due to the warming weather and rising water. The Flows have leveled off today but with a few 80 degree days in the next few days, it will continue to increase and make conditions even harder. The higher stretches of the bitterroot will be your best bet for may. Just keep your expectations low!
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

Fly fishing the Blackfoot River has been slow and should continue its upward trend in flows. Nymphing and streamer fishing in soft inside seems will pull a few fish out here and there but don’t expect much for the month of May.
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Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River

Clark Fork fly fishing is slow going this time of year. The Clark is always the last to come back in to shape and wont be a viable option for most of May.
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Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Fly fishing on Rock Creek has been been slow but one of your better options during runoff and the month of May. Focus on soft edges with big stonefly nymph patterns and streamers.
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Rock Creek Streamflow

March 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.

Skwala Overview
March Brown Overview
Top BWO Patterns

Missoula Fly Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Missoula Fly Fishing Report 4/22

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 fly fishing has been great over the last few days and should continue to fish well. We’ve seen plenty of Skwalas in the sun and March Browns in the clouds. The levels have been fairly level which is always good to see this time of year as they are often fluctuating during warm spells and rain. Fish have moved out of their winter holding water and in to late spring holding water with the warmer water temps. Skwalas, Nemouras, BWO’s and March Browns are all on the menu. At this point in time it appears that we will get at least another week or two before runoff hits.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

Fly fishing the Blackfoot River has been decent lately with steady flows and warmer temperature. Still more of a nymph and streamer game this time of year but keep an eye out on cloudy days for BWO’s and March Browns. Keep your focus on slower runs and inside seems for fish stacked up. Deep nymph rigs and streamers is our go to on the Blackfoot this time of year.
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Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River

Clark Fork fly fishing has been good the last few days now that water has cleared up a bit and flows remain fairly stable. We have had a few great days with Skwalas and March Browns on top. Nymphing will be the most productive and streamer fishing has been good too.
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Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Fly fishing on Rock Creek has been good the last few days with good numbers of Skwalas and March Browns hatching. The afternoon window has been the most productive for dry fly fishing while nymphing and streamer fishing has been solid all day long. We have been hearing good reports from the lower stretches all the way to the top end. Flows have been steady and should continue on that trend as long as we don’t see to much rain or a rapid increase in temperature.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Rock Creek Streamflow

March 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.

Skwala Overview
March Brown Overview
Top BWO Patterns

Missoula Fly Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Missoula Fly Fishing Report 4/6

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 fly fishing took a bit of a hit with the warm weather, followed by snow, followed by rain. There was a large push of water which turned fishing off for a few days. It has leveled out and starting to drop as of today. Should fish ok for the next few days but expect nymphing to be the most productive strategy. We’ll see what the weather brings us in the next few days but we expect it to start fishing on top again and should continue to fish good.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

Fly fishing the Blackfoot River has seen a significant bump over the last few days. The clarity isn’t great but still fishable. This wouldn’t be our first option to fish this week but we hope levels come back down and water to clear up a bit. Might be a better option towards the end of this week and next week. Focus on deep inside seems with streamers and nymphs.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River

Clark Fork fly fishing has been slow over the last few days with the bump in flows. Since everything dumps into the Clark Fork, it will be the last one to clear up. We are hoping it improves by next week but don’t expect great fishing any time soon. Fish are still found in the inside seems and slower paced water. Nymphing and streamers are the main game for now.
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Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Fly fishing on Rock Creek has seen the same push of water like the rest of streams around Missoula. It’s on the drop as of today and fished decent even through the bump. Streamers and nymphs have been the most productive but big dries on top have moved a few fish in the afternoon. Starting to see some adult Skwalas hatching over the last week. Focus on inside seems and walking speed water with nymphs for the best fishing.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Rock Creek Streamflow

March 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.

Skwala Overview
March Brown Overview
Top BWO Patterns

Missoula Fly Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Missoula Fly Fishing Report 4/2

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 fly fishing continues to fish well. There has been considerable bumps in flows with the recent warm up but fishing continues to be good regardless. More and more Skwalas are showing up every day with this warmer weather. Fish are still in their spring holding water like inside seems and walking speed water but are starting to move into faster holding water with the warm water temps. We still have been focusing on nymph droppers in the morning and dries late morning into the afternoon.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

Fly fishing the Blackfoot River is still cold and a little off color. Not unfishable by any means but keep your expectations in check. Streamers and nymphs are the way to go focusing on on inside seems. Fish streamers slow and deep, and hit every inch of the run when nymphing. While the fishing on the Blackfoot is nothing to write home about, it’s a good place to get away from people and have the river to yourself.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River

Clark Fork fly fishing is still pretty slow with new push of water and darker clarity. We’ll see what the flows and weather does this week. Still fishable but you will be working hard for every fish. We’re hoping flows stabilize and water clears up. Focus on nymphs and streamers on inside seems.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Fly fishing on Rock Creek has been good over the past few weeks. Even with a bump in flows, the fishing continues to produce. There are a few Skwalas out and we expect more and more to show up with the warmer weather. Nymphing is still your most productive tactic but dry fly fishing is an option in the afternoon. Streamer fishing is a great choice this time of year for fly fishing on Rock Creek too. Like the rest of our streams focus your time on inside seems and walking pace water.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Rock Creek Streamflow

March 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.

Skwala Overview
March Brown Overview
Top BWO Patterns

Bitterroot River

Missoula Fly Fishing Report 3/26

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 fly fishing has been good lately with some decent dry fly action from late morning into the afternoon. With these colder nights we’ve been seeing, focus on nymphing in the morning and switch to a dry dropper or single dry during the afternoon. We are still not seeing many adult Skwalas but with the warm weather forecast, we should start seeing plenty. This weekends warm up might bring another push of water but nothing that should keep you from fishing. It’s been a long winter and this warm up is exactly what we all need in our life. Go enjoy it!
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch

Bitterroot Streamflow

Blackfoot River

Fly fishing the Blackfoot River is still cold and not much has changed as far as the fishing. It got a little off color with the last warm up but has leveled off and cleared up. We have been floating a few stretches and chucking streamers for a few good fish a day. The Blackfoot River is not a numbers game this time of year but focusing on slow inside seems and runs will get it done. This is a great option if you want the river to yourself, just don’t expect heavy action all day long. Nymphing and streamer fishing is the way to go.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Blackfoot Streamflow

Clark Fork River

Clark Fork fly fishing is still pretty slow for the most part. Like the Blackfoot, it got a little off color with the last warm up and then started to clear up. Expect waterflows to bump a little with the warm up bringing more off color conditions. We have seen a few Skwala adults out but not enough to get the fish to excited at this point. Should be a decent option until the water turns dark as we expect to see with this warm up. Focus on slower water and inside seems with nymphs and streamers and possibility of some decent dry fly action in the afternoon.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Clark Fork Streamflow

Rock Creek

Fly fishing on Rock Creek is starting to warm up with very few adult Skwalas starting to show up. Not a great dry fly option by any means but it’s at least a start. We’ve heard good reports from the top stretches to the bottom. Nymphing is still your most effective strategy followed by streamers. There are a few fish looking up for dries in the afternoon but don’t expect much on dries. Like the rest of our streams, focus on your fishing on the slow walking pace water like inside seems and slow runs.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!

Rock Creek Streamflow

March 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.

Skwala Overview
March Brown Overview
Top BWO Patterns