Bitterroot River Fishing Report

Our fishing reports aren’t brought to you from an office.

Our fishing reports come directly from the water from the best fly fishing guides in Missoula.

Everything from the stream flows, bugs we are seeing on the water, what times we see them hatching, and even how we foresee the next couple weeks developing.

We just simply have the best fishing reports you can find in Missoula.

Last Updated: Oct 1, 2025

How's the Fishing?: 5/5

The Bitterroot fly fishing has been good with the cooler fall weather moving in. The cool cloudy weather lately has brought some incredible dry fly fishing. After an unseasonably warm and sunny September, the clouds and cool weather over the last few days have brought some great Mayfly hatches lately. Mayfly hatches in the fall consist of Mahoganys, BWO’s and Tricos. If you like fishing smaller Mayfly dries, then October is your month to fish. If not, fish will still eat hoppers mid to late day, especially on the warmer days. October can also be one of, if not the best months to streamer fish. The traffic on the river slows down while many anglers switch their focus to the mountains to hunt. These are the reasons October is one of our favorite months to fish around Missoula.

What Hatches are Going?

Hoppers, October Caddis, Tricos, BWO’s and Mahoganys

What’s the weather like?

HAMILTON, MT
7-Day Forecast

25°F

few clouds

Fri

43°F 34°F

Sat

41°F 32°F

Sun

41°F 32°F

Mon

37°F 30°F

Tue

36°F 23°F

Wed

45°F 30°F

Thu

43°F 32°F

How’s it going to be in a couple weeks?

October is one of the best months of the year to fish Montana. The dry fly fishing is incredible and the water temps are at a cool healthy temperature for fish. The Streamer fishing can also be great! Longer nights and cooler days make for some incredible fishing!

Check Out Our Favorite Fly Patterns

Best Hopper Fly Patterns
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Best Ant and Beetle Fly Patterns
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Best Trico Fly Patterns
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Best BWO Fly Patterns
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Best Mahogany Flies
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Best October Caddis Fly Patterns
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Important Resources

Fly Fishing the Bitterroot River 101
Everything you’ve ever needed to know about fishing the Bitterroot all in one place. Seasons, hatches, tactics.
It’s all here
Read More
Best Hatches on the Bitterroot River
There are some incredible hatches on the Bitterroot. These are a few of our favorites throughout the year
Read More
USGS Streamflow Graphs
Here you can find the most important Streamflow Charts in Western Montana.
Read More

Fishing Reports for Other Rivers Near Missoula

Blackfoot River
Fishing Report
Read More
Clark Fork River
Fishing Report
Read More
Rock Creek
Fishing Report
Read More

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