We are entering the dog days of summer which is typical for this time of year. Thanks to all the rains of May and June, flows on the Bitterroot have held up quite well. Water levels are getting a bit low and water temps are on the rise. The good news is that water releases have begun from Painted Rocks dam. These cold water releases will continue throughout the summer replenishing flows and keeping water temperatures at comfortable levels for trout. There are still good hatches of may flies primarily PMD’s and spinners in the morning, by mid day the Golden Stones are coming off in good numbers especially the Bitterroot Stone #12 which is more burnt orange than golden. Late afternoon is a bit slow in the heat of the day, and then things pick up in the evening with more may flies and Caddis. We are getting into that time of year where terrestrials such as hoppers, beetles, ants and spruce moths are important food items for feeding trout. It looks to continue to be another good summer on the Bitterroot. See ya on the river.