Abundant hatches and great dry fly action is the name of the game on the Bitterroot. The forks and main Bitterroot are fishing well. Hatches out on the river are green & gray drakes, PMD’s, caddis, large and small goldens and the bitterroot stones are coming on strong. Fishing is holding up all day even in the heat. Fish may flies in the morning and then stones in the heat of the day and look for a decent caddis hatch in the evening. See ya on the river………..
The Bitterroot river is dropping and the fly fishing is tuning on river wide.. The West Fork is the place to be if you want to fish Salmon flies. The big bugs are out on the entire length of the Fork and fish are still on them. they have been fished pretty hard in the last week and the trout are getting a bit picky. A well placed fly in a tight spot should still get you hooked up on nice fish. A few Green Drakes and Golden Stones are beginning to show but not in enough numbers to get the fish keyed in… The story is different on the main Bitterroot. Salmon flies are long past but we are seeing good numbers of the other June hatches … Golden stones in various sizes are out as well as yellow sallies, green drakes, PMD’s and caddis . The next few weeks should provide some of the most consistent dry fly fishing on the Bitterroot . We have had a good deal of rain in the last 2 days which is helping our lower than average flows. Lets hope mother nature continues to cooperate.. See ya on the river……………… ~ ><((*>
As we head into June runoff continues and while the water is high it is clear and a bit below normal. Snowpack ended up about 90% of normal and an unusually warm spell in May melted a bunch of that snow. I think we have seen peak flow, but there is snow in the mountains that will bump flows a bit. The hope is now that the remaining snow comes off slowly and provides good stream flows throughout summer. The river is becoming fish and floatable and I will begin guiding about the 2nd week of June. There have been a few reports of Salmon flies on the forks and upper Bitterroot river. The hatch is just getting started and should be in full swing over the next 2 weeks. Salmon flies are our largest stone fly and provide some exciting dry fly action. After that we will begin to see Green Drakes and Golden Stones. Summer booking are filling fast but there are a few days left so call and book that trip if you haven’t yet. See ya on the river……~><(((*>
We have had a very cold snap in the last week. While many people are complaining that spring is late in arriving, most fly fishers are rejoicing. There are 2 reasons for this, increased snow accumulation and lack of melting have significantly increased our snow pack. A few weeks ago we were sitting at 76% of normal and now we are at 91% of normal. This equates to better stream flow into the summer. The second reason, the river has been dropping and clarity is excellent. This provides great fishing conditions even though its a bit cold. Hatches are still coming off and fish are on them. The window of dry fly action is a bit narrower and starts a bit later but when its on it’s great. We are expecting a warming trend this week that will really get the bugs and fish going for longer periods in the day.. I am anticipating some of the best fishing of spring this week. Get out and enjoy it now as eventually the warmer temperatures will lead to increased snow melt and the arrival of run-off… Not much has changed with bugs, fish are still keying on Skwala’s and there are abundant may fly hatches of March Browns, Grey Drakes and BWO’s…. See ya on the river ~><(((*>
River levels have stabilized and dropped over the last week and good dry fly action continues.. The Skwala hatch is still on and trout are still looking for the big bugs. The may flies ( March Brown, Grey Drake ) have been hatching in big numbers as well.. If you see rising fish throw a Skwala and if they refuse try a may fly imitation. Weather conditions are predicted to remain cool for the next week. This should keep the river from blowing out and provide great dry fly action. see ya on the river ~ ><(((*>
It’s been another typical spring here in Monanta. Last weeks warm spring weather gave way to cold wind and snow. While the Skwala’s continue to emerge the cold slowed down the action a bit. Afternoons are still the best time to catch fish on dries. Temperatures are predicted to warm this week and should really get the bugs and fish going. Skwala’s and Nemoura’s are out in big numbers and I am also beginning to see some the spring may flies (March Browns and Gray Drakes). The fish haven’t seen enough to start keying on them but that should change this week. A 2 fly rig should get it done most days . Run a Skwala in front and trail a Nemoura or may fly emerger behind .. See ya on the river…… ~><(((*>
