Summer winding down….

/in /by

Weather and water temps are cooling a bit and we can start to see and feel hints of the fall to come. Longer cooler nights have got water temps down and the fish and bugs are beginning to respond. Cold water releases from Painted Rocks dam continue and will provide good flows on the upper river until late September.. The lower river (below Hamilton) is low but the cooler temps are making it a good fishing option lately. Trico’s are beginning and can provide some excellent dry fly fishing until mid-day, I have begun to see a few of the fall drakes or Hecuba but there doesn’t seem to be enough to get the fish keying on them yet. Terrestrials such as hoppers, beetles and ants are still abundant and will be on the fishes radar throughout September. Lots of small fish are coming up for the dry fly offerings but I am beginning to see more of the big guys rising as well. Fishing should continue to improve from here on out.. See ya on the river……..   ~><(((*>

August..

/in /by

Hot dry weather continues and the Bitterroot river levels continue to drop and warm. Not the best conditions for trout and fly fisherman. However, what makes the Bitterroot unique is that Painted Rocks lake provides life giving cold water to the West fork and upper Bitterroot. The releases from Painted Rocks provide a good flow of cool water which makes it to Hamilton throughout hot summer months and into late September. the major hatches of summer have waned and given way to fishing with terrestrials. Spruce moths have been the hot fly on the West Fork bringing  up some nice fish during the day. Also on the West Fork and Bitterroot, grasshoppers are beginning to turn nice fish as well. We are still seeing a few Caddis in the evenings with rusty spinners and PMD’s in the morning. The upper river fishes well all day but if you chose to fish the lower Bitterroot get on the river early before water temps warm and put added stress on the fish. This time of year fly fishers are catching lots of small trout with the occasional big guy coming up.  Good luck and see ya on the river………………….   ~ ><(((*>