Fly Fishing Report Brought To You By Our Missoula Fly Fishing Guides And Fly Shop Staff.
Enjoy and Good Luck!
Our Missoula fly shop is still open under normal business hours. If you are worried about coming into the shop to gear up for fishing due to the Covid-19 then remember we are more then happy to ship you everything you need or pick up your order in the parking lot. Call ahead or email your order. Free Shipping to anywhere in Montana. We are cleaning surfaces in the shop often and have hand sanitizer available for everyone.
Fly fishing is a great way to get away from the crowds and enjoy the fresh Montana air
Bitterroot River
The Bitterroot river is warming up and we’re seeing more and more Skwala’s show up in the last few days. This fish are also taking notice and there has been some decent dry fly fishing in the afternoon with the big bugs. Nymphing and streamer fishing has been good most of the days and the dry fly fishing kicks into gear from about 1 or 2pm. With the warmer weekend ahead, the Skwala dries should just get better and better. We have talked to a few shuttle companies on the Bitterroot and they are still running shuttles and wiping down all surfaces inside the vehicle with disinfectant wipes when they drop your vehicle off. For dries, Skwala patterns like Rastaman, Plan B, Water Walker, Bullethead and the True Stones have been our best producers. Midge, Capnia and Nemoura patterns are also getting it done in the afternoon. Nymphs like Pats Rubberlegs, 20 Incher, Double Bead Stones, G-Kes, Perdigons, H/T PT Jig, Pheasant Tail Jigs and Hot Spot PT Jigs have also been very effective.
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Blackfoot River
The Blackfoot River fly fishing is slowly but surely warming up. Not the best option for Missoula fly fishing but if you don’t mind nymphing and streamer fishing then the Blackfoot can produce some big fish in the spring. Not a numbers game but you could find yourself on the river all alone with some good fish on inside seems and slower runs. Light colored streamers like Tan, Gray and White will get the job done. Nymphing inside seems and slow water will produce numbers.
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Clark Fork River
The Clark Fork River fly fishing is starting to kick into gear on the surface. We have seen a few more Skwala’s the last few days and should continue to see more and more with the warmer weather ahead. Not enough Skwala’s to get fish really going on them but they will still eat them here and there in the afternoon. We have been seeing a few pods of fish in the afternoon eating midges and those fish haven’t been picky. They will eat bigger buts like Capnia’s, Nemoura’s and even a Skwala if presented properly. We had some good streamer fishing with darker colored streamers and of course nymphing the slow inside seems has been the most productive.
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Rock Creek
Rock Creek fly fishing is still mainly a nymph and streamer game but we have seen a few Skwala’s starting to pop. Not enough adults to get the fish excited but you may have a few come up to eat the big bug if you stay with it in the afternoon. Focus your time on nymph and streamer fishing. Flashy streamers like the Kreelex and Sparkle minnow have been the meat of choice. For dries, focus on Stonefly nymphs Like Pat’s and Double Bead Stones with smaller droppers off the back. Cycle through a variety of smaller droppers until you find the magic one for that day.
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Spring 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.
