High Water!
- At May 07, 2017
- By EddieO
- In Fishing Report
0
The Bitterroot is currently high, off color, and unfishable. The river remained stable most of April but several days of 80 plus air temps have got the run-off going in a big way. Run-off should be big and extended thanks to a snow pack of 120%. Its a bit hard to predict but I don’t think the Bitterroot will be in shape until mid June. Until then I’ll be tying flies for summer and running some guide trips on the Missouri. Drop me a line if you would like to fish the Missouri in May or book your summer fishing trip. See ya on the river……
Tax Day Report
- At April 17, 2017
- By EddieO
- In Fishing Report
- 0
The Bitterroot river is in great shape with the lowest levels we have seen in a few weeks… Cool weather has slowed the snow melt and led to the drop and good water clarity.. The hatches have been prolific and consistent. There are large numbers of Skwalas emerging and the may flies have provided consistent dry fly action in the afternoons.. Good numbers of March Browns, Gray Drakes, and BWO’s are hatching daily… We are living on borrowed time as the cold won’t last and warm spring weather will get the run-off going. Once the high water arrives we’ll be off the river until June. So get out there and get it while you can……. See ya on the river!
Skwala Hatch Turning On!
- At April 01, 2017
- By EddieO
- In Fishing Report
- 0
Its been an interesting spring to say the least. River levels are much higher then average thanks to rain and low elevation snow melt… The river has stabilized over the last week and begun to drop with good clarity.. There has been some dry fly action but its been a short window and you have to work for them. The dry fly fishing has improved daily and I’m expecting this week to see some of the most consistent action this spring. Skwalas are emerging in good numbers as well as the smaller dark stones. May flies (March Brown and Gray Drake) are just starting to show in small numbers, not enough to get the fishing keying on them . This will change as April progresses and further improve surface action… While the river is dropping and shaping up it is still high, fast, and cold. Use caution while wading and floating and don’t forget your life jacket……
Spring in the Air!
- At March 02, 2017
- By EddieO
- In Fishing Report
- 0
Temperatures hit 50 degrees today in the Bitterroot and its beginning to feel a bit like spring. Warming temperatures should get the bugs and fish moving. The river is in great shape after a cold winter. Large numbers of Skwala nymphs are migrating to the shore line and it won’t be long before the hatch begins. March 15 give or take a couple days is about when we begin to start seeing consistent dry fly action… Nymph fishing should begin to pick up as the skwalas are on the move. On the warmer afternoons you may see some surface action on midges and the smaller dark stones. See ya on the river!
Bitterroot Snowpack Hits 100%
- At February 16, 2017
- By EddieO
- In Fishing Report
- 0
After running below normal for most of the winter the Bitterroot snowpack finally has bumped up to 100% of normal. Recent storms off the Pacific have brought heavy mountain snow and valley rain to western Montana. There is still snow and ice on the valley floor but a recent warm spell is breaking up river ice and opening up the river… Not many fishing opportunities currently but the Skwala hatch is only 4-6 weeks away. As the weather warms fish should start moving and looking to bulk up on the spring stoneflies.
May Flies!
- At October 06, 2016
- By EddieO
- In Fishing Report
- 0
October is here and the great dry fly action continues on the Bitterroot. We’ve had some decent rains in the last week and the river is in great shape for floating and fishing. May flies are the name of the game right now. There are still some Trico’s and Hecuba’s emerging but there numbers are beginning to drop off and become less of a factor. Mahogany duns and Blue Winged Olives are coming off in good numbers and are bringing up lots of trout… Best fishing is in the afternoon , before that run a hopper dropper rig with various may fly nymphs to get you hooked up until the fish begin to rise. See ya on the river!
