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

Missoula Fishing Report for March 5th

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

The Missoula Fishing Report

The Big Picture

 

Skwalas. When will the dry fly fishing be what we have all been dreaming about since November? Well your guess is as good as mine. The general idea is that Skwala’s need a water temperature between 42-47 degrees to hatch. Some people agree on the lower end and other agree on the upper end of that scale. The cool thing about Skwala’s is that they are a relatively “New” bug in the research sense. They have only recently (20 years) become a popular hatch and noticed by most anglers. Sure some people have been fishing the hatch longer, but for the entire community they are a new bug. The other piece of the puzzle is getting temp readings from the river. The USGS stations offer temp readings, but only on a seasonal timeframe. So to get a temp you are going to have to do it the “old school” way. Go out and stick your hand in the water. The only way to know for sure when the water is warm enough for Skwalas to show up is to take a temp reading when you start to see the bugs. Do it this year. It will give you a leg up for future seasons and a little science never hurt anyone.

Bitterroot Skwala Hatch
Bitterroot Skwala

March Brown/Rhithrogena/What Ever You Call Em’s: “The Difference Maker”. Some days the big stonefly pattern just doesn’t produce. When you are flummoxed and there are fish eating, Throw the mayfly. These bugs are the first big mayflies to show us since fall. There are many days when the trout will completely ignore the skwala and shift their focus to the mayflies. When that happens you can have some fantastic headhunting or some great pods of fish to shoot at.

When,Where, and How: This weekend and next week look to be about as beautiful as we can hope for in the spring. That being said, expect for everyone to have the same idea. Go Fishing. Cabin fever is the worst this time of year and a day on the water is a perfect remedy. If you are one of those people who cant stand seeing other folks on the water it’s time to think out of the box. Don’t out your boat in at Tucker or Bell at 10am. Maybe go for a long walk down a Bitterroot side channel that boats cant fit into. Maybe explore a part of The Blackfoot that you have never been to. Walk and wade the upper Clark Fork. Or spend a day on Upper Rock Creek. We are lucky in Missoula to have over 300 miles of water within an hours drive. Don’t confine yourself to 15 miles of The Bitterroot if you want some solitude.

All of that being said, there is some fantastic fishing on the main stem of The Bitterroot during the Skwala hatch. Remember that these are early spring stoneflies. They ARE NOT Goldens and Salmonflies. That means fish the early spring water. Of course you could catch a fish or two off the fast banks and the “Bouncy Summer Water” but the majority of your success will be on the slow inside bends. The same place you nymph in the winter. The “Boring” water. Have faith and let that fly drift. Don’t get antsy and cast over and over again, the fish can’t eat it in the air. Leave your fly alone once it’s out there.

Whatever you need for spring fishing is in the shop. As I am writing this boxes from MFC, Simms, Echo, And Spirit River are piling up with flies, gear, rods, materials, and other goodies for the spring. We are fully stocked and ready to rock this spring. If you need to tie a few more bugs come on in and let us help with your game plan. As always we are here for you. Let us help with Missoula Spring Fishing.

-The MAngler

…Because You Fish

*March Spring Guide Specials- Full day guided trip for 2 anglers only $385*

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

Fly Fishing Reports

Hoot Owl Hours

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

We are fishing early if you like it or not now. FWP has placed Hoot Owl Restrictions on The Clark Fork and Bitterroot Rivers. That means rods up at 2 pm.

We know it’s a bummer and can be a pain, but it’s for the best interest for the fish that we all love. This summer heat is hard on them and we can do our part to help out. So check the regs before you head out to make sure you are following the rules.

This link has all of the restrictions and reopenings as they come up. Check it before you get on the water.

http://fwp.mt.gov/news/drought/waterClosure.html

-The Mangler.

Mangler Shenanigans

Who Are The Missoulian Anglers?

by missoulaflyfishingoutfitters

We have some fresh faces around the shop for the summer. Some you have seen before and some new ones. So here is a run down of the fellas behind the counter, at the vice, helping you pick out flies, and on the oars.

Russell Parks– Supreme Commander/Provost/Prime Minister.

Head Honcho

The Head Honcho.

Stone Cold Game Face. On the water or throwing washers. One word for this guy… Clutch.

Ron Beck– The Old Timer

Ron Beck

This guy has been around The Missoula Fly Fishing Scene since long before it was “Cool”. Just look at those glasses. (That’s not a bad brown either). When Ron talks fishing you should be listening. Ron is one of the best fly tiers in the state and chances are he has already tied your secret bug, when he was a teenager. This guy will get you into fish. Just ask.

Aaron Shattuck– I’m on my way Shattuck

The_Missoulian_Angler_Fly_Shop_-_Aaron

Aaron is also an accomplished fly tier. You have fished some of his patterns if you have fished the west. Aaron is a big time pike hunter. He can get the Y bone out before you can say fish tacos. Aaron is a great teacher and loves to help beginners out. But don’t expect to see him out past 7 pm. He has yet to make it to a MAgler BBQ even though he has told us he has been “On his way” every time.  He is worth having in the shop regardless, so we keep him around.

Taylor Scott- Shop Manager/Guide/Kobe Fan/The Local.

Taylor Scott

Taylor grew up in Rattlesnake creek and has spent his whole life on Missoula water. Taylor has seen a quarter century of fishing seasons and has the stories to prove it. Taylor spends his days off guiding in the shop. On the rare day he isn’t working, he will be throwing his huge streamers on The Blackfoot. He is also money with the 18′ fade away. Reigning Washers team champion.

Zach Scott – Social Director

Zach Scott

This is Zach’s second season on the MAngler Team. The guy behind the Blog and BBQ’s. One of the young guns at the shop.

Stan Spoharski– The Beaver Trapper

Stan spoharski

The newest member of the MAgler team. Every shop needs a red neck and Stan is ours. Stan has been fishing and hunting his entire life. He and Zach fish together all the time and have to get out when they can. Sometimes fishing from midnight till they have to be at the shop at 7 am. Stan gets after the fish and has been a great addition to the shop this season.

These are the guys at the shop. They are all pumped up to get people on to fish and love to help beginners. Stop by and say hi to to these fellas.

See you on the water.

-The MAngler