After a few warm days in the 50’s and 60’s we are seeing a good number of adult Skwala’s on the water.. The trout have been looking for them as well. The hatch is just starting so I am expecting the dry fly action to get better over the coming weeks. There are also lots of the smaller dark stones, Capnia and Nemoura.. Fish a skwala and trail a small dark stone behind it for the picky fish keying on the smaller bugs. While the warm weather has been nice there is also a downside to it. The river has begun to rise which will help floaters but could slow the fishing down a bit while the water stabilizes and fish adapt. Now that the Skwala’s have begun, they will hatch regardless of weather conditions. See ya on the river……….

After a long period of runoff the Bitterroot has dropped and cleared and is finally coming into shape. While its still a bit high and moving fast (typical this time of year) the water clarity is great. The big news is that the bugs and fish are beginning to respond as well. Yesterday saw a great hatch of the Salmon Flies on both forks of the Bitterroot. The fishing has been good on the surface with big stone fly patterns. The hatch should last for a week or more now that it is here. There are also large numbers of Golden stones out as well as a few Green Drakes. The main Bitterroot above Hamilton is fishing as well and there may still be some fish looking for the big stones.. Use caution while wading and wear a life jacket if you float…See ya on the river…

It is hard to believe September is here. Where did summer go? The weather however still feels much like August, hot dry days in the 80’s and 90’s. River flows are still in good shape and fishing is holding up. Hoppers are still bringing up some good fish in the afternoons. The may flies of fall are beginning to show in small numbers and should increase once we get some cooler cloudy days. Hecubas (fall drake) and Tricos are catching a few fish in the clouds and shady banks. If you find some risers , match the hatch with the appropriate may fly. If nothing is rising stick with a hopper and if you must drop a nymph about 2 1/2 feet below. This weather pattern is expected to last another week, when it cools down the may fly hatches should be great. See ya on the river…..