Montana Fly Fishing

Fly Fishing: Bitterroot River

Montana is home to several of the world's most productive "Blue Ribbon" trout streams. And although there are many methods of fishing these streams, fly fishing is king.

The Bitterroot River begins at the confluence of the West & East Forks of the Bitterroot River just south of Darby and runs north the length of the Bitterroot Valley before it empties into the Clarks Fork River. There are numerous access points. Fly fishing is very good throughout the season.

Fly Fishing: East Fork Bitterroot River

The East Fork Bitterroot River begins as a stream high in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness. Fly fishing is quite good the length of the East Fork Bitterroot River. Access points are numerous and float traffic is minimal. There are several guides servicing the Bitterroot River. Popular packages include guided float trips and camping along the river.

Fly Fishing: West Fork Bitterroot River

The West Fork Bitterroot River begins near the Idaho border and is a small, fishable

stream until it enters Painted Rocks Reservoir at Painted Rocks State Park. Below Painted Rocks Reservoir, the West Fork Bitterroot River grows larger as do the trout. Access is quite good until the river enters private land. Float traffic is higher than the East Fork Bitterroot River .

West Fork Bitterroot River

Dry Fly Hatches: Bitterroot River

The Bitterroot River and it's tributaries are a dry fly fisherman's paradise. Dry fly fishing is good year round. The typical dry fly hatches for the Bitterroot River:

January: Capnia (Stone Fly)

February: Capnia, Nemoura (Stone Fly)

March: Capnia, Nemoura, March Brown Mayfly, Skwala (Stone Fly)

April: Skwala, Blue Wing Olive, Grannom (Caddis), Gray Drake

May: Skwala, Blue Wing Olive, Western Green Drake, Grannom, Salmon Fly, Gray Drake

June: Salmon Fly, Pale Morning Dun, Pale Evening Dun, Golden Stone, Hoppers, Gray Drake, Ameletus (May Fly), Ants & Beetles, Western Green Drake, Spotted Sedge (Caddis)

July: Hoppers, Pale Morning Dun, Pale Evening Dun, Salmon Fly, Western Green Drake, Golden Stone, Spotted Sedge, Ameletus, Summer Green (Stone Fly), Summer Yellow (Stone Fly), Ants & Beetles

August: Pale Morning Dun, Pale Evening Dun, Ameletus, Blue Wing Olive, Trico, Hoppers, Spruce Moth, Mahogany Dun, Summer Yellow Caddis, Summer Green Caddis, Golden Stone, Spotted Sedge Caddis, Brown Sedge Caddis, Ants & Beetles

September: Trico, Hoppers, Blue Wing Olive, Mahogany Dun, Brown Sedge, Autumn Caddis, Spruce Moth, Ants & Beetles

October: Hopper, Autumn Caddis, Blue Wing Olive, Mahogany Dun, Brown Sedge

November: Blue Wing Olive, Autumn Caddis

There are several quality fishing guides offering wade and float trips on the Bitterroot River, it's tributaries and the high mountain alpine lakes.

Fishing Bitterroot National Forest: Alpine Lakes

Fishing alpine lakes is not for the faint of heart. Reaching these opaque jewels most always requires a substantial hike or an outfitter to reach. The effort is rewarded with views and fly fishing that few humans are privileged to experience. The Bitterroot National Forest has been blessed with an abudance of pristine, alpine lakes.

Montana Wolf Hunting Information