Missoula Fishing Report

October 27th

The days are getting shorter and a little bit cloudier. The fishing has been tricky. All around, streamers have been doing well lately… be sure not to leave your box at home! Don’t forget that some of the tributaries and smaller water is home for lots of spawning browns. Try fishing the deeper riffles. Explore them instead of your usual spot.

Clark Fork sunset recently.

Blackfoot River: STREAMERS. They are going off on the Blackfoot. Dark articulated junk. They like sparkles. Throw a kreelex or a sparkle minnow of your choice. As for dries, October caddis are out here and there, orange stimis, BWOs, baetis, parachute adams, and mahoganies. For Nymphs, try cutting the legs off of an orange Pat’s rubber leg to imitate an October caddis. Copper Bob/John, red lightening bugs.

Clark Fork River: There have been some good cloudy days for mayfly fishing on the Clarky lately. Terrestrials are still working… If you are stuck in a slump, don’t hesitate to try a hopper with a rubber leg underneath it. They are generally going for the dropper these day. Try a nymph with something flashy on the bottom, stonefly-attractor patterns. As for the deeper pools, green, black, yellow, and white streamers are your best bet.

Bitterroot River: Generally, fish haven’t been rising as we’d like. If you’re giving it a shot, a nice BWO may get the job done. There are some hecuba left. The upper stretches are better than the lower. Throw smaller flashy stuff for streamers. Orange Pat’s rubber legs for an October caddis imitation, Bird of Prey.

Rock Creek: It has been spotty up there. On the rainy days, BWOs have been a good option. The mahoganies have been coming off, along with October caddis and some mayfly action. Sparkle streamers, olive, brown, black, and white streamers. They have been turning for some smaller streamer patterns in lots of places- that is definitely worth a shot. Try a wooly bugger. Size 10-12 hopper with a flashy nymph below it; pheasant tale, bird of prey, lightening bug, batman nymph, or a Copper Bob/John.

In The News:

-30% off our whole streamer selection! (We have loads of good ones!)

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Missoula Fishing Report

October 21st

The fishing is looking up. Though the weather ison and off, it is giving us something to work with. Cloud coverage and colder days are moving in, making for good mayfly fishing and just more prolific hatches in general. Be sure to have some streamers on hand, wher
ever you may end up. Prime time fishing doesn’t begin until the water warms up a little bit… Mid afternoon has been a great time to wet a line, though it has been going off right before sunset in certain spots as well.

Blackfoot River: Streamers have been doing the trick in the deep pockets of water. They really dig the junky articulated stuff- blacks, olives, yellows, sparkle minnows. Apart from that, size 10-12 hopper is still being eaten during the afternoon- try throwing on a Copper John/Bob or a Bird of Prey (to imitate the October Caddis). While they are eating on top- PMDs, BWOs, baetis, and your favorite mayfly.

Clark Fork: Seems like the Upper Clark Fork has been more consistent than the other parts. Streamer fishing in that area is killer, and mayfly patterns are a great option for the Clarky on these cloudier days. Don’t rule out the stretches through town, nor the lower parts, as they have been going off as well- just more spotty than we would like. October caddis, mahoganies, PMDs, and orange stimis. For nymphs, try a hopper-dropper rig with a Goldie Hawn, San Juan worm, or a Bird of Prey.

Bitterroot River: Lower has been more of a mystery, or simply bug-less. As for the middle and upper stretches, there is more action. If you chuck a big heavy streamer near the bank, you may just land a nice big brown. The fish have been rising higher upstream, eating mahogany patterns, the occasional hecuba, baetis, and orange stimulators.

Rock Creek: It’s been spotty up Rock Creek. Streamer fishing has either been realllly good, or reallly not so good. Try tying on a mahogany, parachute adam, baetis, or an October caddis. For nymphs, Copper Bobs, batman, or a Bird of Prey.

In The News:

-G4 Boa boots are 20% off!

-Streamers on sale! 30% off.

-We’re still booking trips! Call us or stop in with questions

Missoula Fishing Report 

October 6th

(No, it does not look like October 5th…)

Lets get down to it… We’ve all been waiting to see true fall fishing around here. The sun is brighter than expected, and we haven’t had very prolific hatches. The fishing is most definitely keeping anglers on their toes. The water has clearly cooled way down despite this odd weather, and it is ideal to get on the water once it hits high 50s to 60 degrees. Hopper-dropper rigs are the answer throughout the afternoon. October caddis are not out in full force, but we are definitely beginning to see some pupae on all three rivers, and it is well worth trying to get ’em on the dries. An October caddis imitation (Goldie Hawn, Bird of Prey) works well with a hopper above it. Ants, beetles, and a hopper of your choice are a great option. Hecuba are here and there, particularly on the Clark Fork and Bitterroot, generally mid morning. As water is still low in a lot of places, keep an eye out for deeper slews and pools. Terrestrials remain a good option on each river, and they seem to get the job done during the afternoon. To the dismay of many, there hasn’t be a load of action up top. Some days are better than others, but with the lack of cloud coverage, nymphs have been turning a lot of fish. If you are after size– streamer game is strong in heavy deep water. Black, white, olive, and browns have worked really well. They are still diggin’ on the sparkle minnows as well.

Blackfoot River: The streamer game has been really active on parts of the Blackfoot. Big junky stuff, mainly. Articulated streamers, woolheads, sparkle minnows. Black, olive, brown, and white. If you see them eating up top… Purple haze (16/18), October caddis, mahoganies (14/16), parachute adams. Terrestrials: Hoppers (10/12), ants, beetles. Throw ’em near logs, wood, etc. Hopper-dropper rig has been a good option. Copper bob, lightening bugs, San Juans, rubber legs, Goldie Hawn, bird of prey.

Clark Fork River: Tricos are trico spinners are on and off. The fish are still hitting hoppers, ants and beetles. Try a hopper followed by your favorite dry. As for nymphs, copper bob, red lightening bugs, Goldie Hawn, bird of prey. Mahoganies, hecuba, PMDs, and baetis.

Bitterroot River: The fishing has been more consistent on the lower Root. They have been all about dark articulated streamer patterns. Along with that, they’re all about the mahoganies on top– it can be hard to predict exactly which pattern works best. Try a few. Mid-day terrestrial action, once the water is warm enough… The Bitterroot is full of logs, fallen trees, branches, etc. Throw them there!! Watch for hecuba and swarms of tricos.

Rock Creek: It has been tricky. White streamers… streamers of all sorts. Big articulated ones, black, brown, sparkly patterns. Terrestrials are worth a shot in the afternoon… But the water is pretty low in a lot of places, and the fish don’t seem to be after dries. Hopper-dropper rig is a good option. If you’re out there later, they seem to be feeding on top right before sunset. Look for deeper pods and heavy H20.

In The News: 

-We’re still booking trips!! Call or stop in and reserve your spot.

-20% off all Simms outerwear!

-20% off G4 Boa Simms boots