Missoula Fishing Report

Bitterroot River Fishing Report

The past few days have been fantastic dry fly fishing. The March Browns were impressive yesterday to say the least. Lots and lots and lots of mayflies in the eddy’s and above the riffles. We have had boats somewhere in the upper half of the Bitterroot River all week. With the colder nights the dry fly fishing has taken a little while to get going. From what we have been seeing it’s worth the wait. The average dry fly fish yesterday was impressive. Healthy, strong, and eager to eat. Our favorite kind of fish. 

As for flies, they have been eating the typical spring bugs. For Skwalas we have been throwing The Rastaman, The Rouge, The P.K., and The Fat Frank. The Mayflies have been just a productive. Those patterns include The Parachute Hares ear, The Haze, The Brindlechute, The Copper Haze, The Mountain Mint, The Parachute Adams, and whatever else looks like a size 14-16, brownish mayfly.  When the BWO’s show up, just go smaller and they will eat it with the right drift. Really, the fish are wanting to eat right now. They are hungry and the bugs are here. Time to fish. 

The fish are still hanging out on the “Off” banks. But we are starting to catch some nice fish in the soft breaks on the heavy banks. The forecast looks great for spring stonefly fishing. So get out and enjoy the nice weather while it is here. The fishing has been fantastic, catch a cold and sneak away from work this week. Who knows when the next snow storm might show up!

-The MAngler 

#Becauseyoufish