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Bitterroot River Fishing Report

Bitterroot River Fishing Report

Conditions At-a-glance

Our Report

Tip of the Week:

Spring conditions are variable and can impact fish location and feeding activity. Try a Skwala tight to grassy banks and structure. March Browns and BWO's can be best fished in a seam coming off the bank. If you aren't finding fish in your usual spots, try fishing seams, pocket water, shelves, drop offs, and riffles, as rising water levels and fluctuating water temperatures can cause fish to relocate. 

*See our 7 Day Outlook for updates on blockages jamming up the Bitterroot. 

7 Day Outlook: 

The week starts off cool and partly cloudy, which may keep fish sluggish early in the day but we like the coulds for dry flies! The weekend turns cloudier with scattered showers, we could see a bump depening on how much rain we get. Mornings will stay chilly, so plan to fish later in the day when water temps rise and fish get more active. Overall, it’s a classic spring pattern—some sunshine, some showers, and plenty of opportunity to get outside between systems.

If you are floating please use extreme caution. This river changes rapidly and is known for producing fatal log jams. Give us a call for an updated obstruction report. If you see any issues be sure to call us or send pics so we can share the same. Thanks.

*There are currently MANY obstructions on the Bitterroot.

Hannon-Wally: Several tight spots, but clear.

Wally-Anglers: Flows over Sleeping Child dam are always dicey!  Don’t consider running after a scout unless you are highly skilled.  The channel around the left side is too low to consider.

Vets-Woodside: More wood down between New Bridge and Blodgett Park.  The river right channel will require careful scouting and likely boat dragging. 

Woodside-Tucker:  Tree down in the right channel at the split 1/4mi above the diversion channel.  You can sneak through, but not recommended for less experienced rowers.  Very high consequence!

Tucker-Bell: Multiple trees down below Victor that require walking the boat or portaging.  

Bell-Stevi: Mostly clear.  Follow the water.

Stevi-Florence: Clear.  Follow the water at any splits.  As the river fluctuates it is smart to pull over and check for any potential changes.

When In Doubt, Eddy Out! As always, we want anglers to know that they are responsible for their own wellbeing when they are on the water. As an outfitter, we will try our best to bring known dangers to light, but conditions and obstructions are always changing and we can't possibly keep up with every danger that may present itself. When in doubt, eddy out and walk downstream to get a good look at what you're dealing with! 

Best Techniques:

Dry-dropper rigs early in the day with a #10 Water Walker or Chubby up top and a March Brown nymph below (#14 PT, Duracell, Bullet, or Perdigon).  As the water warms, and fish begin to rise, switch over to a single Skwala dry.  If you get refusals on the Skwala try sizing down (#12 or even #14), or throwing a March Brown Parachute or Cripple in a #12 or #14.  Streamer fishing will also be a good option.  If you see fish sipping in the calm water and eddies try a March Brown or BWO (or a double dry rig with both).

Streamers: Dungeon, Envy, Lil Kim, Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex

Nymphs: Worms, TJ Hooker, Girdle Bugs, Perdigons, Duracell, Blowtorch

Dries: 

Skwalas: Chubby, Plan B, Rolling Stone, Morningwood #10-12

BWOs: On Point BWO, Purple Haze, BWO Cripple #18-20

March Browns: Parachute PT, Brindlechute, March Brown Cripple #12-14

Local Forecast

Deer Lodge, MT, USA

The Hatch

Skwalas, March Browns, BWOs and Midges

Featured Flies

Dries

Nymphs

Streamers
Chubby Chernobyl Chubby Chernobyl
$3.50
$3.50
The Chubby Chernobyl is one of the most versatile and effective foam flies on the market. Changing the size or color of this pattern can help you imitate a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial i...
A.J.'s Rolling Stone - Skwala
$3.50
$3.50
Bullet Head Skwala stone fly imitation with a thin body profile, segmented body and a little but of flash! 
Dancin' Ricky Skwala
$3.50
$3.50
"Stylistically this fly has a number of traits that I tend to incorporate in my foam dry flies while maintaining that simple, low riding, hopper/stone style that I like. The body and legs hang do...
El Camino Grillos - Skwala
$3.50
$3.50
This Skwala pattern has an awesome low-riding profile, sitting lower in the water.
Fool's Gold Fool's Gold
$3.50
$3.50
Fool's Gold is the perfect fly for catching wary fish. Its foam body and knotted rubber legs make it highly visible on the water. With its high riding capabilities, this fly is a must-have for any ...
Hi-Vis Skinny Chubby - Skwala
$3.50
$3.50
This adaption of the classic Chubby Chernobyl pattern is a great choice for your Salmon fly dry . It is thinner than traditional Chubbies. The slim profile perfectly matches real life torso size. T...
Jake's Blackout Stone- Skwala
$3.50
$3.50
Jake's Blackout Stone features long legs and a segmented body for maximum movement on thewater. Its thin profile and small size mimic smaller stoneflies, making it irresistible to fish. Guaranteed ...
Morningwood Special- Skwala
$3.50
$3.50
  This little olive adult Skwala stone is all the rage throughout Montana and the PNW, but also works beautifully as a hopper or general attractor pattern.
Oswald's Rastaman- Skwala
$3.50
$3.50
  Combined with the bullethead style head and rubber legs, make it the perfect choice for those seeking to tactically fish the Skwala hatch. Best fished as a single dry, TIGHT to the bank.
Rogue River Stone- Skwala
$3.50
$3.50
The Rogue Stone is a great option if you're prospecting with a dry-dropper rig.  The segmented foam body can hold up a larger dropper than some of the other bullethead Skwala imitations.
TJ Hooker
$2.95
$2.95
Whether the mottled tan or dark brown is better remains an ongoing guide debate.  Both work exceptionally well.  Our guess is trout mistake these for stonefly nymphs but they also resemble small cr...
Tungsten Jig Girdle Bug Tungsten Jig Girdle Bug
$2.95
$2.95
Whether the mottled tan or dark brown is better remains an ongoing guide debate.  Both work exceptionally well.  Our guess is trout mistake these for Skwalla nymphs but they also resemble small cra...
Jig Napoleon Jig Napoleon
$2.95
$2.95
As a highly versatile and efficient fly, the Jig Napoleon boasts a quill body and Its tungsten material adds extra weight for getting down quickly. These quill body perdigons are lethal on the wate...
Jig Perdigon Jig Perdigon
$2.95
$2.95
Designed for optimal fly fishing performance, the Jig Perdigon features a tungsten bead for dense weight that ensures your flies get down quick in the water column. The eye-catching design and drop...
Sili Leg Stone Sili Leg Stone
$2.95
$2.95
The Trusted Classic Stonefly Nymph. This pattern is excellent for imitating  Stoneflies in their aquatic form. Before the hatch ramps up on the surface, Trout are sure to be feeding below. To dial ...
Tungsten Jig Pheasant Tail Tungsten Jig Pheasant Tail
$2.95
$2.95
Another classic pattern that imitates Mayfly nymphs perfectly. This fly has been around for a long time and it's not going anywhere. This version is jigged with a tungsten bead and flash back to ma...
Jig Frenchie Jig Frenchie
$2.95
$2.95
There is something about the Frenchie that just catches more fish than its mayfly nymph competitors. A simple fly that produces outstanding results. Try the Yellow version in #16 for PMDs
Jig Caddis Pupa Jig Caddis Pupa
$2.95
$2.95
Our go-to caddis nymph.
Sili-Leg Stone Orange Tungsten Bead Sili-Leg Stone Orange Tungsten Bead
$2.95
$2.95
The classic rubber leg stonefly with an orange bead, perfect for getting the attention of trout while winter fishing or, during runoff when the water is very off color.
Spanish Bullet Spanish Bullet
$2.95
$2.95
One of our guides favorite nymph patterns. The Spanish Bullet is the fly to match all your tiny Stonefly and Mayfly needs. Jigged with a tungsten bead.
Coffey's Conehead Sparkle Minnow Coffey's Conehead Sparkle Minnow
$4.95
$4.95
We were fishing streamers long before fishing streamers was cool but we have to admit, Coffey’s sparkle minnow literally changed the game. There was a time when spring streamer action was limited t...
Beadhead Woolly Bugger Beadhead Woolly Bugger
$2.95
$2.95
Same as the Woolly Bugger but with a beadhead for added weight. Good for lakes and rivers everywhere, from winter to summer. Our undying love of the woolly bugger isn't going anywhere, this is on...
Kreelex Kreelex
$4.95
$4.95
Essentially a full flash Clouser Minnow, the Kreelex has proven its worth as a fish catching machine wherever predators eat small baitfish.  The slim profile and large dumbbell eyes allow it to sin...
Lil' Kim
$4.95
$4.95
It's the L-I-L to the K-I-M, baby. Cast and strip, or swing with a trout spey set up. No streamer box would be complete without the Lil' Kim. Get it in copper to keep things natural, silver for wat...
Thin Mint Bugger TB
$3.95
$3.95
If you've ever eaten a thin mint cookie, you know how good they are and how you can't just eat one. The Thin Mint Bugger comes with a tungsten bead and a tri colored marabou tail. Whether you swing...
Galloup's Mini Peanut Envy Galloup's Mini Peanut Envy
$6.95
$6.95
A Peanut Envy tied on smaller hooks but without losing any of the movement that this streamer is known for.
Galloup's Peanut Envy Galloup's Peanut Envy
$6.95
$6.95
A lighter version of the Circus Peanut with more movement. A versatile streamer that consistently works well on various styles of retrieves.
Galloup's Conehead Barely Legal Galloup's Conehead Barely Legal
$6.95
$6.95
A Galloup streamer that goes way back, and Galloup was stated himself that this is his go-to confidence streamer. That's saying a lot coming from the guy who has some of the most quintessential str...

USGS Water Charts

Specifics

Link to Water Flow Graph

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/uv?12352500"

Visibility

24"+

Water temperature at mid-day

50F

Water Condition

Up from a week ago and slightly off color- but still great for fishing.

Best time of day to fish

Afternoon to early evening.

Best stretch

The whole river is in play. See our fishing report above for the most updated information on obstructions.

Best access point

Multiple fishing access points along the river.

Fish Species

Rainbows, browns, cutthroats, cutbows, pike minnows, suckers, pike and whitefish.

Fishing Season

All Year

Nearest airport

MSO (Missoula International Airport)

Recommended fly fishing leader

From a boat - 7.5' 3x-4x. Wading step it up to 9'

Recommended fly fishing tippet

3X, 4X and 5X will cover 90% of our fishing applications. 1-2X is great for punching out large, wind resistant dries in high dirty water. Don't drop lower than 12lb for streamers (we recommend a 4-5' 12-16lb tapered leader with a sink tip fly line). Leave the 6X at home.

Best fly fishing rod

The 9' 5WT is our do it all rod. Fast action rods will be best for most of our fishing; foam dries, dry-dropper fishing and nymphing. A fast action 6WT will be useful for large foam dries, small streamers, heavy nymph rigs and punching bugs through the afternoon wind. Bring a 7WT if you plan to fish large articulated streamers.

Best floating fly line

Scientific Anglers MPX or Rio Grand

Best sinking fly line

Scientific Anglers Trout Express or Rio Predator F/I/S3

About This Water

Noted for exceptional dry fly fishing throughout its 80 mile course, the Bitterroot wonders through cottonwood bottoms in the shadow snow capped peaks.  Major hatches of stone flies, mayflies, and caddis start early in March here and continue on right through November.  The braided nature of the Bitterroot provides for delightful combination float/wade trips affording anglers to get out of the boat periodically to ply oft overlooked side channels and backwaters.  Fly fishing the Bitterroot seldom disappoints.