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……..   ~><(((*>

Water levels have held up quite well on the Bitterroot this summer. However, several weeks of hot dry weather has finally got the water dropping and warming fast. Good news is releases from Painted Rocks dam will begin this evening. This will ensure a good flow of cold water throughout the remainder of summer.. This will be an added boost to the fish and fishing. Fly fishing has held up well on the Bitterroot upstream of Hamilton and the West Fork.. The lower river fishing has slowed during the day due to higher water temps. There are  still good hatches of PMD’s, Golden Stones and the smaller Bitterroot Stone, the evenings provide a good spinner fall and lots of caddis. We are entering the time when terrestrials are a big part of the trouts diet. Look for grasshoppers, beetles, ants , spruce and pine moths to be on the menu. I am anticipating good fishing throughout August. see ya on the river……………. ~ ><(((*>

Not much new and exciting to report. The Bitterroot river is running high and off color and doesn’t offer many safe fishing options currently. Many folks including me have headed offer to the Missouri river to fish below Holter dam where flows are controlled. We are all anxiously awaiting the coming of summer and the Bitterroot shaping up for fly fishing. This year we had about normal snow pack in the mountains but much of it has melted off in the warm spring weather. I am anticipating the West Fork to start fishing well about the 2nd or 3rd week of June. Big stone flies (salmon flies & goldens) will be the name of the game when that happens. Check in for updates on river levels. See ya on the river soon………….