Bitterroot River
The Bitterroot is a great option right now and the dry fly fishing has been good. The water temperature is still fairly warm so focus on the first half of the day. We have been seeing plenty of PMD’s, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, Tricos and the hopper fishing is in full swing too. If you come across a mid day lull then the dry dropper rig will keep you busy. Our go to droppers right now are the G-Kes Ptail Hot Spot, Jiggin Stones and just about any color Perd’s. For Dries we have been running Water Walkers, Plan B’s and Flush Floater.
Blackfoot River
The Blackfoot water temps have cooled down after the last cold front and is a solid option right now. The spruce moths have been tapering off lately with the cold fronts that have moved through. It’s terrestrial time on the Blackfoot so focus on Hoppers, ants,beetles and your go to attractor pattenrs. Flies to try include the Ant-Acid, Water Walkers, Plan B’s, Water Walkers, Flush Floaters, Mill Creek, Super G for dries and for droppers try Perd’s, Ptail Soft Spots, G-Kes, Jiggin Stones and Jig Pheasant Tails.
Clark Fork River
The Clark Fork has been fishing good from the top to the bottom and should continue to get better and better as night time temps start to cool for the remainder of the season. Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, PMD’s, Tricos, and some decent hopper action is on the menu right now. Some of the best fishing in Missoula can be found on the Clark Fork this time of year. For flies most of your PMD and more so tricos as of late will work along with bigger bugs like the Water Walkers, Plan B’s and Flush Floater.Droppers include G-Kes Ptail Hot Spot, Jiggin Stones and just about any color Perd’s.
Rock Creek
Rock Creek is one of your best options right now along with dozens of other tributaries in the Missoula area for wading. Golden Stones and Yellow Sallies have been our go to and the hopper fishing is producing some great fish too. Most days there is no need to go subsurface unless you want to. Dries all day long is the game right now.