Summer….

The Bitterroot continues to drop but water levels are still above normal… The river is in the best shape we have seen in years, flows are up and water temperatures are low enough to keep trout happy… The major hatches of early summer have begun to drop off and we are entering a time when terrestrial bugs become an important part of the trouts diet. PMD’s are still emerging in the morning and some gray drakes are on the water  throughout the day. Afternoon in the heat of the day and bright sun has the fish hunkering down in the deeper holes.. Large attractors and hopper patterns can bring up a good fish and droppers are getting the fish that won’t rise mid day. Terrestrial patterns to fish are , grass hoppers, beetles, ants and spruce moths. … See ya on the river……….

River dropping fish rising…….

The Bitterroot river has been dropping throughout July which has created great fishing opportunities. The fish have moved off the banks and soft water and are holding and feeding mid river and in the riffles. Abundant hatches have also helped bring the fish to the surface. Golden stones, Bitterroot stones, yellow sally’s, green drakes, PMD’s and caddis are hatching through the day.. River levels are great for floating and wading. See ya on the river……

Happy 4th of July!

The Bitterroot river is beginning to drop and shape up for fishing.. Salmon flies are about finished but you can still find them on the uppermost West Fork… The other summer hatches are coming on strong, golden stones, green and gray drakes, pmd’s and caddis are emerging river wide. The main river should start fishing but with water levels above normal focus on fishing the softer water and side channels where fish can hold. Also use caution while wading or floating the higher water. Enjoy the holiday weekend…….

Salmon flies!

The Bitterroot has continued to drop over the past week.  Dry fly fishing is really picking up on the forks and main Bitterroot. Salmon flies are emerging on the east and west forks in good numbers and the fish are keying on them. This hatch should last for the next week or so..  The other summer hatches are beginning to come on and trout should start keying on them as well.  We are seeing good numbers of green drakes, gray drakes, pmd’s and golden stones. Although the river has dropped it is still running fast and high. Please use caution when wading and floating. See ya on the river…..

Bitterroot shaping up!

After a long period of high water the Bitterroot is clear and dropping. Warm dry weather over the last month has helped bring a bunch of mountain snow down. There is still a good amount of high elevation snow that should keep the river flowing all summer. Salmon flies have begun to appear on the main river and should be about 1 to 2 weeks away on the east and west forks. Fish are seeing lots of the big nymphs migrating to the banks and are feeding aggressively on them. There are also some golden stones , pmd’s , and green drakes. There is very little surface activity and the majority of fish are being caught on nymph patterns fished in the slower runs.. As water levels continue to drop dry fly action should pick up significantly. While the river is dropping it is still quite high and above normal levels for this time of year. Please use caution if wading or floating. The high water has moved a lot of debris around and there are several trees blocking passage on the east and west forks. Wear life jackets and when in doubt scout it out. See ya on the river……….

Bitterroot blown out!

The Bitterroot reached flood stage at Darby last week and is currently bank full and off color. Not much of an option for fishing and also dangerous for boating. The 180% snow pack of the past winter has begun to melt and this runoff should last well into June. The river may or may not be in shape by late June depending on the weather in the coming weeks and how fast or slow the snow comes off. In the long run this is great news for the Bitterroot river, we should see great flows and water temps throughout summer and into fall… I will keep you updated on changing conditions ..The best bet for fishing these days are lakes and the tailwater rivers like the Beaverhead and Missouri… See ya on the river………..