Late summer update!

Hot weather and low water has been the name of the game lately. a lower then normal snowpack and early runoff has put a damper on river levels.The Bitterroot and other local rivers are running below average levels and water  temps are up on the lower river. FWP has imposed fishing restrictions on the Bitteroot and Clark Fork rivers. Fishing is allowed from midnight until 2pm after 2 no fishing.. This is to reduce mortality on fish already stressed by high temperatures.. The West and East forks have no restrictions and are fishing well.. The name of the game for flies has been attractors and terrestrials  hoppers , beetles , ants , and spruce moths.. While river levels are lower than average the river is still floatable and Painted rocks lake is 90% full which should provide cold flows throughout September.. We received a good rain last night that bumped the river up a bit. Late summer hatches (Trico, Hecubas )aren’t far off and with nights getting cooler and longer we should turn the corner soon.. See ya on the river…..