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Missoula Area Fly Fishing Report Updated – and Good!

Missoula Area Fly Fishing Report Updated – and Good!
 
 
River Name
Current Fishing Conditions
Current Hatches
Current Hot Patterns
Blackfoot The Blackfoot continues to slowly drop and just below the historical norm for this time of year. We are still seeing salmon flies every day and this might be the best time of the year to use them on the river above River Bend CG. It is running around 1500cfs and clear. It fished really well yesterday both on streamers and dry dropper rigs and we caught some really nice fish… averaging over 15″. A worm, MT prince, or double bead stone under a salmon fly dry is money as is tan sculpins or sparkle minnow streamers towing a double bead stone, marvin or worm — swinging off the slow drop offs is key. salmon flies, golden stones, yellow sallies, caddis, and a coupla pmds. >Dries: Bullethead salmon fly, Clacka caddis #12, Noble chernobyls in orange, tan or red. >Nymphs: Red or pink SanJuan worm #8, prince in sizes 10-8, double bead stones, and green copper john in 14-10 >Streamers: Bunnies in tan, sparkle minnows
Bitterroot The Bitterroot is still greatwith the goldens and sallies. we are dropping a silver bead phez tail, copper john or prince nymph on a about a 2foot dropper for insurance. On the right day in our opinion, this is the single best time to hit the lower sections. Cloudy weather that is called for this weekend could be killer with pmds. Look for sippers on the spinner fall in the morning – follow up purple haze with a rusty spinner or pmd cripple and make sure you are right on line as the more bugs the less distance they seem to move. pmds in force, caddis late in the evenings,a few salmon flies on west fork, goldens, yellow sallies all up and down the river >Dries: Bullet head rogue golden #12, goldie hawn #16, tan, golden chernobyls >Nymphs: Big prince or #10 copper john, peacock double bead stones, red worm and pink also gets it done. >Streamers: Olive black buggers, marvins
Clark Fork The lower sections of the Clark Fork are a really good choice right now! Cloudy warm weather is best on this water if you want to fish dries to rising fish but you can catch them just fine dead drifting nymphs. We c some great fish with the double nymph rigs and large attractors with long droppers this week – of continue to catch some exceptional fish everyday. In fact, one of our clients caught a legit two foot rainbow!!! just a coupla days back… on a dry. The largest we have seen (actually taped and pictured – a no bs giant) The worm is still hard to beat as a dropper but expect action on phez tails #s16, #10 prince and copper john. If you are planning on fishing above Missoula use the same rigs or try swinging streamers off the banks… bunny and a bead is a good call or trail a smallish black or olive bugger behind a large streamer. pmps coming out heavy on lower, caddis too, golden stones, sallies, >Dries: Carnage golden stone, pmd parachutes #16 elk hair caddis, bwo #18-16, purple haze #14. >Nymphs: SanJuan worms in pink and red. phez tails #14-18, big prince size 10 or #16 copper john. >Streamers: Sparkle minnow, jj’s, black buggers, marvins
Rock Creek Waders are delighted to have the Rock to themselves again… and the fishing is pretty good. Caddis heavy in the late afternoon while the sallies and goldens are a mid day affair. Pale morning dun action this weekend should be off the hook with the cooler weather and clouds “they” are calling for. This is a great time to wade fish the creek and at 522cfs a good level. Goldens, yellow sallies,pmd’d in the morning, caddis, and just a couple salmon flies lingering on the upper reaches >Dries: Carnage or rouge goldens,goldie hawns #16, swisher caddis #14, purple haze, pmd parachute. >Nymphs: The worm – red, pink, orange in #12, phez tail #16, prince in sizes 14-12 and copper john in 16-14 >Streamers: Olive zonkers and buggers, sparkle
Georgetown Lake Georgetown is fishing exceptionally well right now and I have yet to put on a dropper or streamer on of any sort – the are really looking up! Damsels are out in force and the fish are all over them. And, in the hot sun, they start early in the day. Expect calibeatis early in the day (but they eat a purple haze just fine)and finish late in the evening pitching giant olive sedge dries – the carnage skwala is a dead ringer for these bugs but a para green drake works equally well. Blue damsels, olive sedge (caddis), calibeatis, leaches,scuds and midges. >Dries:midge parachute #18, para madam X olive or carnage skwala #10, blue damsel dries, purple haze #16. >Nymphs: Zebra midge, orange or olive scuds. rs2 emergers. >Streamers:buggers in olive and black, thin bunnies.
Alternate Rivers and Information
MISSOURI RIVER: The Mo is on fire again… expect plenty of shots at rising fish on pmds, caddis and even sallies below the Dearborn. If nymphing is your game plan on multiple hook ups with pt’s, lightning bug, split back pmd mymphs and even small prince. If you go over there we do have a good stock of the little nymphs that did do well for us and can set you up. Questions about an upcoming trip or fishing in Western Montana? Call us at our new fly shop in Missoula at 406-542-7411 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 406-542-7411 end_of_the_skype_highlighting (open 9 – 6 M – Sat., Sundays 10 – 3) Our Philipsburg shop is now open on all week so stop in on your way to the Creek or G-Town. Good fishing – John, Terri, Matthew, and Kynslee
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Mark is so cheap.  He buys twelve flies and draws on them all season.  This is a shot from Rock Creek last week as he turned a golden stone into a salmonfly. Plenty of salmonfly adults on the lower river.  John fished Rock Creek again from the confluence of the forks of the creek at Skalkaho Road and took out at concrete bridge two days ago.  Don’t believe there was much sign of salmonflies up near the forks. They caught a ton of fish subsurface and the pink worm was king again.

Another one of our guides, James, was on the lower Bitterroot two days ago and the nymphing was great.  The flows on the rivers have dropped a great deal and, while the water is still high, the conditions and fishing are good.  John was on the Bitterroot on Saturday and we’ll try to get a report from him tomorrow.  I don’t have any recent reports on the Clark Fork or Blackfoot, but I will try to pass those along as soon as they come in to us.  Should be some good salmonfly fishing on the Blackfoot in the near future.  Good fishing to you and check back soon.

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Fishing report updated for the weekend – looks like it is going to be a good one!

Fishing report updated for the weekend – looks like it is going to be a good one!

We are unable to update our video report as our production team is on strike – we will try to get back on board with it early next week… for now here is our written report:

Check out our online Store!      http://stores.ebay.com/blackfootriveroutfitters?_rdc=1
River Name
Current Fishing Conditions
Current Hatches
Current Hot Patterns
Blackfoot The Blackfoot continues dropping for several days and fished decent this week already. This could be the breakout weekend for the Foot in that we have seen just a coupla salmon flies up in the Box Canyon and they should come out in force any day.  We’ve done well with a worm under a salmon fly dry or with a blackbugger or marvin and a worm fished shallow under an indicator. The North fork and other tribs are now open and are fishing well. coupla caddis, green drakes and salmon flies just starting. >Dries: Bullethead salmon fly, Clacka caddis #12,  Noble chernobyls in orange, tan or red.> Nymphs: Red or pink SanJuan worm #8, prince in sizes 10-8, double bead stones, and copper john in 14-10> Streamers: Bunnies; yellow, black, olive or tan buggers,
Bitterroot The Bitterroot fished really well this week – exceptionally well for big rainbows – with san juan or prince nymph droppers under a large indicator dry.  There are litterally no bugs hatching on the lower river right now but the salmon flies are going to kick in on the West and East Forks together with the river near Darby any day now.  The mainstem near Darby took a little jump Friday morning but should fish well through the weekend. salmon flies and green drakes coming on literally any day. >Dries: Bullet head rogue salmon fly, green drake parachute #12, tan orange, golden chernobyls> Nymphs: Big prince or #10 copper john, peacock double bead stones, red worm is king but pink also gets it done.> Streamers: Olive black buggers, marvins
Clark Fork The lower sections of the Clark Fork are a really good choice for this weekend – and no one has really been fishing it for about 2 months!  Cloudy warm weather that is called for equals good opportunity on this water.  We would stay with the double nymph rigs or large attractors with long droppers until we see some better hatches.  If you are fishing above Missoula, use the same rigs or try swinging streamers off the banks… bunny and a bead is a good call or trail a smallish black or olive bugger behind a large streamer. Couple caddis, salmon flies and green drakes coming on literally any day. >Dries: Carnage salmon flies or skwalas, elk hair caddis, bwo #18-16, purple haze #14.> Nymphs: SanJuan worms in pink and red. phez tails #14-18, big prince size 10 or #16 copper john.> Streamers: Sparkle minnow, jj’s, black buggers, marvins
Rock Creek Rock is rocking right now!  We fished the upper reaches near Pburg this week and had a 40-50 fish day.  Very little surface action up there but they couldn’t get enough of the worm.  Streamer fishing produced nothing.  Salmon flies are starting on the lower river so expect some company if you are floating down there.  Reports are they log jams around the upper fire ring (mile 26-27) are really dicey…ultra experienced oarspersons only and even then get out and take a look before you go — scouting is not a sign of weakness, rather knowledge. We saw just a couple salmon flies earlier this week not many caddis, green drakes any day. >Dries: Carnage or rouge salmon flies, swisher caddis #14, purple haze, green drake parachute.> Nymphs: The worm – red, pink, orange in #8, phez tail #16, prince in sizes 10-8 and copper john in 14-10.> Streamers: Black buggers, bitch creeks, zonkers in
Georgetown Lake Georgetown is now open but remember much of the lake shore line is still closed (from about 7Gables to the far side of Denton’s point).  This time of year you want to fish black or olive buggers, leach patterns, or hang eggs or scuds off of an indicator.  We look for the post spawners still cruising the drop offs and consider a sink tip to keep the bugs down. Leaches,scuds. >Dries: > Nymphs: Zebra midge,egg patterns, and scuds> Streamers:buggers in olive and black, thin bunnies, jj’s not bad off the deep drop offs.
Alternate Rivers and Information
Various small streams: This is a great time to fish some smaller waters – all of which are now open.  Expect high and pushy conditions but clear water.  Color changes are key as are deep plunge pools.  Fish the worm or a prince under a smallish attractor dry.MISSOURI RIVER: The Mo is starting to get its tricky edge… you need to have the perfect pattern on or your outa luck.  We were there recently and in spite of Craig’s Caddis Festivle – we didn’t see any! Other hatches of bwo’s and midges were limited as well.  The wind is not helping and has been in your face on the Mo for about 2 weeks straight now.  We were happy to get back over the divide again and fish something larger than size 18.  If you go over there we do have a good stock of the little nymphs that did do well for us and can set you up. Questions about an upcoming trip or fishing in Western Montana?  Call us at our new fly shop in Missoula at 406-542-7411 (open 9 – 6 M – Sat., Sundays 10 – 3) Our Philipsburg shop is now open on  all week so stop in on your way to the Creek or G-Town. Good fishing – John, Terri and Matthew
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Conditions are a changn’ and there are fish to be caught – here is our updated fishing report:

Conditions are a changn’ and there are fish to be caught – here is our updated fishing report:
Check out our online Store!      http://stores.ebay.com/blackfootriveroutfitters?_rdc=1
River Name
Current Fishing Conditions
Current Hatches
Current Hot Patterns
Blackfoot The Blackfoot is still not quite an option – running nearly 2 times normal at 5900cfs.  But has dropped for several days and could potentially clear enough to fish by this weekend.  The week continues to be cool and precip light – exactly what we need to get it going again.  Call us at the shop for an update the day of as we have some contacts up there who can give us an instant feedback. Don’t be tempted to fish the North Fork as it is still closed till the 3rd Sat in May. You might see some skwallas, bwo’s, caddis but we wouldn’t go up there expecting fish on dries. >Dries: Clacka caddis #12,  Noble chernobles in tan or red, or Chubby.> Nymphs: Red or pink SanJuan worm #8, prince in sizes 10-8, double bead stones, and copper john in 14-10> Streamers: Bunnies or zonkers; yellow, black, olive or tan buggers, Marvi
Bitterroot The Bitterroot has dropped steadily for a week and fished very well yesterday, boating about 40, and we didn’t see another angler! Flows are still way above normal at 2500cfs in Darby and at Bell it’s 4600cfs. Skwallas and March browns are still out but we didn’t get much dry action. The fish were really on the worm (red was best but pink or purple caught a few).  We fished them as dropper under a dry and late under an indicator on a short lease – only about 3′ deep.  Look to the soft water along the bank or better yet slow back water eddies. Expect skwallas, March browns and little brown nuemoras, with caddis just kicking in. >Dries: Bullet head, rogue, and rasta skwalas 8-12, purple haze or adams #18-20, > Nymphs: Big prince or #10 copper john, peacock double bead stones, red worm is king but pink also gets it done.> Streamers: Olive buggers and scul
Clark Fork Fishing the spillway near Warm Springs still remains your only choice on the Clark Fork right now but with the cool weather continuing this could change. Up there we use scud variations and midge nymphs. The river at Turah has dropped from 8000 to 3300cfs this week which is promising. While the river decides if it want to run muddy or clear try pitching big flashy streamers in the slow back waters below Missoula might produce some northern pike. Skwallas, little brown nuemoras, March browns, caddis cranking up >Dries: Carnage or rastaman skwalas, elk hair caddis, bwo #18-16, purple haze #14.> Nymphs: SanJuan worms. phez tails #14-18, big prince size 10 or #16 copper john.> Streamers: Sparkle minnow, jj’s, black buggers, marvins
Rock Creek After jumping to nearly 4000cfs last week the Rock is now down to 1000cfs, is floatable, and will fish very well this weekend. Nymph fishing will be best but skwalas are still out together with March browns so we would expect fish on top as well. If you decide to float the creek be sure to play it safe on blind corners as the high water took down a bunch of new trees. Remember: no fishing above the Forks. skwallas,bwo’s, March browns, caddis >Dries: Blue winged olive parachute #16, swisher caddis #14, purple haze, fat freddy or brown wing skwala as a top bug for droppers.> Nymphs: The worm – red, pink, orange in #8, phez tail #16, prince in sizes 10-8 and copper john in 14-10.> Streamers: B
Georgetown Lake THE ENTIRE LAKE IS CLOSED TILL THE THIRD SATURDAY IN MAY STARTING APRIL ONE!! Leaches,scuds. >Dries: > Nymphs: Zebra midge,egg patterns, and scuds> Streamers:
Alternate Rivers and Information
BIG HOLE RIVER: This is a great time of year to hit the Big Hole with the biggest flies you have the sac to pitch.  It is dropping like Missoula’s rivers but fishes off color more that other rivers.  We just got in a great selection of crazy sweet tandem streamers that have been producing well here.  Come in and check them out. MISSOURI RIVER: The Mo is a great option with the bwo and midge hatches as sustained as any we’ve seen.  Most of the fish on top are small as many of those big rainbows are thinking about spawn not feeding. Folks are taking fish on nymphs, streamers in addition to dries.  Scuds rule here… Czech nymphs, hot bead czechs, pink scuds, orange scuds,lalalala… you might also try a worm or zebra midge if you become bored with the scud.  Streamer swinging has produced a ton of fish as well – skinny olive or flashy white bunnies are as good a bet as anything. Good luck!  Questions about an upcoming trip or fishing in Western Montana?  Call us at our new fly shop in Missoula at 406-542-7411 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              406-542-7411     end_of_the_skype_highlighting (open 9 – 6 M – Sat., Sundays 10 – 3) Our Philipsburg shop is now open on the weekends and will be open all week soon. Good fishing – John, Terri and Matthew
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Mo is Money but the Payout is on the Root

Mo is Money but the Payout is on the Root

Team Zimmer on Root.

With Missoula’s rivers blown – I spent a couple quality days guiding on the Missouri this past weekend.  We caught plenty of fish but more importantly they came to every technique we used.  The bwo and midge hatches were as sustained as I’ve ever seen, plenty of small fish up on them but we found a few pods of good ones and were able to feed a few griffiths gnats on light tippet.  The nymphing was exceptional with the rainbow czech nymph doing the most damage early then they switched to lightning bugs and pt’s.  We finished up stripping streamers -  locking horns with a few browns that had been difficult to find… olive was good but white was more fun for the visual.

Fast forward to yesterday.  Expecting to drive over the hill again, an intimidating weather outlook calling for wind around 20mph with gusts to  40 got me looking at the flows closer to home.  The Root looked like the best option – dropping steadily from historical record flow just 5 days back.  The river clarity on the drive up promising, Team Zimmer put in at Hannon and  put a fish in the boat in the first 50yds.  The trend continued for the entire day.  Cutties made up the bulk of the catch but a few great browns and bows ate the – wait for it…. worm!

The real story is my pathetic preparation for the day. In my haste changing boats from drifter to raft I failed to pack a table and even my grill. Not good with pork on the menu!  Not to be denied- we gathered up fire wood and cut willows for grill sticks - voila – fire cooked pork tl and zucchini sandwich.  A first for all of us and highly recommended.

Fishing is great and grilling even better – go get you some.

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Airlines Steal Fishing Days

Airlines Steal Fishing Days

 

You're in good hands.

Everyone knows that the airlines are sticklers for regulation – especially since 9/11. Just try to check in without the proper documentation – even if your mother is there beside you making the convincing arguement that “Those are his feet!!!” in describing the two smudges on a birth certificate as happened once while headed to Mexico a few years back – it’s back of the line pal and don’t come back without a new birth certificate (huh?).  Tying flies on a flight?  No longer an option unless the tyer reverts back to kindergarten scissors designed to cut nothing in their path.  Arrive at a gate 3 seconds late?  Find yourself on the standby list on a future flight that is already overbooked, in spite of your earlier connecting flight arriving two hours behind schedule or that you are holding a fully paid ticket

I understand that we need to maintain safety in our skies, problem is it’s a one way street.  When the airline screws up your baggage transfer or calls in 15 mechanics to fix the latch on a seat belt (ok, I might have made that up) which eliminates any chance of that flight matching up with connection… The customer has absolutely no recourse!  It doesn’t matter that the bags they lost contained every last thing needed for your Montana trout trip.  Too bad – so sad that you’ll miss a day or two at that expensive lodge and pre-arranged guide because your connections were unattainable.  Yes, the very trip that you’ve been thinking about every day since the flight home from last year’s trip.

Twice this season already (realize it’s mid-April), our clients suffered theft of fishing days at the hands of the airlines. Am I the only one who thinks the airlines should come up with some sort of compensation for these losses?  Not only are the traveling anglers losing coveted days off, but the guides, shops, lodges, hotels, resturants, and car rentals all absorb the costs that the airlines are so cavalier about squandering.  I don’t think this is fair but my only recourse is to complain about it in this blog who’s readership consists only of those on the short end of the stick – the perverbial preaching to the choir.  Guess I’m “just sayin”.

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River Respect

River Respect

Orvis Fly Fishing 101 & 201 Classes

Orvis Fly Fishing 101 & 201 Classes

 

Fly Fishing 101

 

BRO is pleased to announce that were offering our FREE fly fishing classes again for 2012.  With all the news that folks are spending less and less time outside, we feel this is a great way to generate renewed interest in the sport of fly fishing.  Whether you’ve never cast a fly rod or maybe ventured out a couple of times in the past few years, the Orvis Fly Fishing classes are geared toward every skill level and it’s a great way to spend a Saturday afternoon – better than the mall right?  Right? 

There’s no need to bring anything but a good attitude and lots of patience…..remember – it’s fly fishing!!  In the 101 class we’ll focus on rigging and casting – simple basics to get you that much closer to becoming a self sufficient and successful angler.  We are hoping to start these classes in May and run them through July.  We will post dates as soon as we know them.  To find out more, give us a ring or better yet, stop in…….keeps us from working!  See ya on the water.  

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Missouri is on fire — and it’s winter?

Missouri is on fire — and it’s winter?

MISSOURI RIVER: The Mo has been fishing exceptional this winter! We were over there last week and killed it – taking fish on nymphs, streamers and even dries. Scuds rule here… Czech nymphs, hot bead czechs, pink scuds, orange scuds,lalalala… you might also try a worm or zebra midge if you become bored with the scud. Streamer swinging has produced a ton of fish as well – skinny olive bunnies are as good a bet as anything. Good luck! Questions about an upcoming trip or fishing in Western Montana? Call us at our new fly shop in Missoula at 406-542-7411 (open Monday-Saturday 9-5)

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New Gear – Guilt Free

New Gear – Guilt Free

Your next streamer rod - Helios 906-4

 

Have you been considering that 9’6wt Orvis Helios rod? Ya, the one you didn’t get for Christmas… the one you imagine yourself slapping streamers against the bank on the Blackfoot this spring with.

Yep, then reality steps in. There is just no justifying dropping that load of cash when your other 4 six weights leaning up in the closet are weighing heavier on your conscience than they ever did in your hand.  They are nice… but not Helios nice.

Problem solved – wipe the dust off those other sticks, clean ‘em up a bit and bring them down to the BRO shop to be included in the Missoula’s first annual Fly Fishing Gear Swap.  We sell the old gear, you get in-store credit for the new gear.  If your gear doesn’t sell at the swap we’ll sell for you on ebay for the same deal… Where is the red button? “That was Easy!”

Mark your calendar for March 10thand bust out all that gear you no longer respect – !!

 

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