Here is a few tips for protecting our fish with the warmer water temps that we have seen lately:
Limit the amount of handling time. Take the hook out and put the fish back in the water asap.
Use heavier tippet so you are not fighting the fish for a prolonged period of time. 3x and 4x is just fine this time of year.
Be diligent later in the day when water warms up.
Explore the high mountain creeks and springs where the water is much cooler and fish are much happier.
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Bitterroot
Hoot Owl Restrictions. Closed from 2 PM to Midnight
Bitterroot River from Tucker Crossing FAS near Victor to the confluence with the Clark
The fishing on the Root has been productive throughout the day. PMD and Trico hatches in the morning and switching to hopper dropper later in the morning has been our tactic of choice. Sallies and Golden Stones have been kicking around as well. The upper stretches stay a bit cooler and is a wise choice to fish higher up.
Blackfoot
Hoot Owl Restrictions. Closed from 2 PM to Midnight on the entire river including the North Fork.
The Spruce Moth hatch has started and the fish are looking up for them. This hatch is one of our favorites to fish all year long. Fishing light colored Caddis in size 10 and 12 with the hackle cut down on the bottom so it rides lower in the water like a Moth. The hopper fishing has been very productive if the Spruce doesn’t do the trick.
Clark Fork
Hoot Owl Restrictions. Closed from 2 PM to Midnight from the mouth of Warm Springs Creek near Warm Springs to Rock Creek.
The Clark has been fishing its best early mornings. In the mornings, toss out PMD emergers and cripples followed by a spinner later in the morning. Look for Tricos in the morning also as they have started to show up. Later in the morning is going to be mainly a hopper game or spruce moth.
Rock Creek
Rock Creek is a great option right now as it is running a little cooler then the rest of the bigger water is. Make sure you have some Spruce Moths in your box as the fish tend to go crazy on these bugs up there. Hoppers and Sallies will work as well. attractor patterns such as Purple Haze, Parachute Adams and Royal Wulffs will do the trick as well.