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 is in full August mode, with good, steady tricos in the morning. The smoke is both helping and hurting- the bugs are coming off heavily but not always at the same time in the morning. Hoppers in the afternoon are the same way- the smoke will slow them down a bit. In the wind, throw hoppers, if the afternoon is calmer, Ants and Beetles may perform a bit better. When the sun does come on strong in the afternoon, lengthen your dropper
and run an SR Bullet Black, SR Bullet Olive or Umpqua Pheasant Tail Jig. Deep is better in the heat of the day.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips for each hatch
Blackfoot River
Fly fishing the Blackfoot River continues to be solid, with wading access improving day by day. You might see some tricos on the lower sections, but mostly you’re looking at Hopper/dropper. The deeper your dropper, the more successful you’ll be. If you go double nymph, make sure one is big (Pat’s Rubber Legs, Double Bead Stone) and one small (Pheasant Tail Jig, Duracell, Firestarter). The nymphing has been very good, with fish moving back into better lies due to cooler water temperatures. Don’t sleep on a smaller, sleeker streamer- the big boys are still active, especially in lower light situations. Hoppers are picking up in the afternoon.
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Clark Fork River
Clark Fork River fly fishing is steady. The tricos are well established, and the fishing is consistent on the surface when they’re on. Ron’s Trico and the Sprout have been consistent producers. The afternoon hopper fishing has been good, especially on the lower sections when the wind blows. If you find a calm day, bring out the ants and beetles. Numbers are subsurface, and a deep Pat’s Rubber Legs is still moving fish, as is the G Kes, SR Bullet Black and the Duracell. Cooler water temps are allowing decent evening fishing, and if you’re an early riser, a big dry (6-8) at dawn will move fish looking to eat the last nocturnal stone.
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Rock Creek
Fly fishing on Rock Creek is good, with most of the day spent subsurface. If you’re on slower water in the morning, expect some tricos. The most success is coming from a double nymph rig, one big and one little. The Pheasant Tail Jig, Duracell and a Prince have all been working, with the Jig Pat’s getting the flies down in the faster current. Water temps are getting better, and the fish are active later into the afternoon. Move to a hopper after you see a couple fly, but keep the dropper on. As always, the Sculpin Sparkle Minnow is producing in the deeper channels, with fish taking more in the center of the river than the edges.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for additional fly patterns and tips!
Montana Fly Fishing Guides – Float Or Wade Fishing Trips
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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.
