Missoula Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Missoula Fishing Report

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

Missoula Fishing Report

The water around Missoula is big right now. The Graphs are showing a downward trend. What does that mean? Your guess is as good as mine. Hopefully it means that we can fish in the next few days. More rain and heat is not exactly the right recipe for Missoula fishing. 

 

For now get out and explore some local lakes or make a road trip over to the Missouri. Lots of bugs over there. Good dry fly fishing when the clouds are out and the fish decide to eat. 

 

Now is a great time to tie flies. If you are anything like us you procrastinated your winter tying and there are still a few empty slots in your fly boxes. High water is a good time to strengthen the fly force. Tie now. DO IT.

 

-The MAngler

Missoula Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Monday Fishing Report

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

Missoula Fishing Report

The Bitterroot fished well this weekend. Not to over inflate, I would say that the dry fly fishing was “Fair” on some banks and “Good” on others.  We saw lots of Skwalas, Nemouras, and capnias. We also saw a few larger mayflies. March Browns? You tell me. The water is still high so some of the classic banks seemed a little pushy for skwala fishing. They were sitting in heavier water than we expected but the fish seemed to want to eat the bug regardless.

As far a bugs we threw the Rastaman Skwala, The PK Stone, The Bullethead Skwala. in the morning they are the Skiddish Smolt for a streamer and a pink worm/Rubber Legs for a nymph rig. We have a plethora of those bugs here at the shop.

The USGS Graphs are showing some consistency in a flat or downward trend. That means that the fishing should improve everyday. As long as we don’t get another push of water the spring fishing seems to have returned.

Stop by the shop for any of your Spring needs. We are totally stocked and ready to rock.

-The MAngler

…Because You Fish

Missoula Fishing Report
Bitterroot River

Mid Summer Fishing Report 7.23

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

It seems we have quickly switched from high water to high summer. Our big bugs are gone and the fish have started to eat hoppers on all of our local rivers. The Hoppers are clicking around on the grass banks and the trout are chowing on them in the rivers.

The Clark Fork- The upper river is starting to see a little bit of moss. The good news is that the dry fly fishing has been fantastic when you hit it right. They are eating hoppers. Purple, Yellow, Tan, and Pink. Morrish, Pavs, More or less, and The Yeti have all been putting fish in the net. The lower river has been fishing very well when the clouds show up. But the lack of clouds can make the lower river feel like a ghost town.

The Bitterroot- The upper river, around and above Hamilton has been fishing very well. Mayfly and stone fly attractor patterns are bringing fish up. The hoppers are starting to play a bigger role. The mid and lower rivers have been good to spotty. If we get clouds go to the Root. If it’s bright and sunny you also have better options than the mid and lower Bitterroot. Upper river is where it’s at right now.

The Creek- Rock Creek is in its typical summer swing. The fish are looking up and willing to eat a dry fly. Again, just like everywhere else, if we get cloud cover the fishing will be better. But The creek fishes well regardless. A great wade fishing option right now.

The Blackfoot- The Blackfoot has been fantastic. Great dry fly fishing early to mid day. Around mid day things start to slow down. They have been eating the hopper like mad. Purple and Pink seem to be what they want the most. Moths soon.

Great dry fly fishing in the Missoula Area right now. We have a boat load of bugs in the shop. Stop by for what you need before you get on the water.

-The MAngler

…Because You Fish

Flies and Fly Tying

Afternoon Delight Tying Series With George Kesel

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

Afternoon Delight Poster

We are excited to host legendary Missoula fly tier George Kesel and his “Afternoon Delight” Fly Tying series here at the shop. For anyone who doesn’t know Mr. Kesel, he is an amazing tier and an ever better teacher. No matter how long you have been tying I am sure you can learn from George.

Each class runs independently from the rest so if you see one or two that interest you, you can sign up for just those. Or if you want… Sign up for all 6. That’s what I would do.

The first class is Tomorrow (Sunday) Jan 27th. The rest of the Classes will be held on Saturdays. All Classes will run from 1:00 – 5:oo pm. But I would imagine they will run a bit over knowing George.

Classes are limited to 6 people per class on a first come first serve basis. This is a great opportunity to learn from one of the best guys in the game. Each class will cover around 10+ bugs so you will get plenty of practice and learn a bunch of great patterns.

Tomorrow’s class is all about Cripples and Emergers.

The rest of the classes are as follows:

Sat Feb 2nd – Streamers

Sat Feb 9th- Tube Flies

Sat Feb 16th- Streamers

Sat Feb 23rd- Classic Steelhead Flies

Sat March 2nd- Dry Flies

All the classes* are $40 and include all of the materials you will need for the class. So you get 4 hours of class time with George and all the materials for only $40.

*Tube Fly class is $64.95 or $40 with Tube Fly Tying tool.

Give us a call here at the shop to get your name on the list or let us answer any questions you might have. (406) 728-7766

Be sure to sign up soon for the class or classes you want soon. They will fill up.

Afternoon Delight Poster

Fly Fishing Reports

Game Time in Missoula

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

It’s Griz game day here in Missoula. And it’s game time on the rivers too.

The bugs are in big time and if you head out now you can still make the mid morning spinner fall.

There are some big fish sipping out there right now. Go and get ’em.

Remember if the GRIZ win we will have all flies 20% off tomorrow here in the shop.

GO GRIZ

-The MAngler