Heat wave!

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The Bitterroot continues to drop quickly and water temperatures are on the rise. 100+ temps over the next few days are not helping much. Fishing is still holding up with the abundant hatches that are coming off. Pmd’s are emerging in the morning, Green & Gray drakes during the day. Afternoons bring on the Golden’s and Bitterroot stones and caddis are coming off in the morning and evenings. The lower river below Hamilton is warming up so fish it in the morning and if you are fishing in the afternoon stay on the upper river and forks… See ya on the river…………..

River dropping, fish rising!

/in /by

The Bitterroot has been dropping fast which has the river in great shape for fly fishing. Salmon flies are finished on most of the river but a few can be found on the upper West fork for a few more days. Multiple hatches are coming off now and creating great dry fly action. Golden stones in various sizes are emerging as well as Green & Gray Drakes, Pmds, and caddis.. See ya on the river………..

Salmon flies!

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The Salmon fly hatch has been underway since the 1st of June and the big bugs are providing some great dry fly action. The hatch is a few weeks early this year due to the warmer than average spring and lower water levels. The hatch has moved up the Bitterroot and good numbers of salmon flies are out on the East and West forks. A few Goldens and Green drakes are beginning to show but most fish are still focused on the big bugs. While water levels are lower than normal the river is still high and fast. Please use caution while floating or wading. See ya on the river……….

High Water!

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The warm weather has finally caught up to us. The Bitterroot is running high and off color and I think it is safe to say that the runoff has begun. That said , this should be a relatively short run off.. Due to a warm and dry late winter and early spring there is less snow in the mountains then normal. At last check, snowpack in the Bitterroot is about 65% of average for this time of year. That means if we don’t get rain we will have lower stream flows throughout summer. Depending on how the remaining snow comes off the Bitterroot could be fishing by late May and most probably early June.. Fortunately we have stored water in Painted Rocks lake which will be released through summer to help flows and fish. If you plan on fishing now its mostly subsurface with nymphs and streamers in the slower runs.. There are may flies, caddis, and skwalas out on the river but it might be hard to find risers under these conditions. The tail water rivers like the Missouri are a great option in May.

Bitterroot rising but still fishing.

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After 4 days in the mid 70’s the river has risen thanks to some high elevation snow melt. Water clarity has held up well and although fishing has slowed a bit you can still catch fish on top. Nymphs will probably produce better until the river stabilizes. Cool weather over the next few days should get the river to stabilize and then drop again… This should get the dry fly action going. There are abundant hatches to keep the fish looking up. Skwala’s are still out in good numbers as well as the smaller dark stones. Mayflies are quite abundant as well, march browns, gray drakes and BWO’s can be found hatching most afternoons and we should begin to see the Mother’s day caddis. Use caution in the higher flows. See ya on the river……………..

River dropping, fish rising.

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After a big spike in flows last week the Bitterroot is beginning to drop hard. Water clarity is also excellent. Not only are Skwala’s and small dark stones emerging daily, but the spring may flies ( march brown, gray drake ) are coming off in good numbers. All these bugs are getting the trout to rise more consistently. Flows are still above normal and the water is cold so focus on the slower runs where most fish are holding. Afternoons provide the best surface action so start late and stay on the water late………..