Bitterroot River Fishing Report

Updated Thursday, September 14 at 5:47PM
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 seldom fished side channels and backwaters.  Fly fishing the Bitterroot seldom disappoints.

Conditions At-a-glance

Our Report

Tip of the Week:

Cut off the dropper if you are getting refusals on your hopper pattern.  Sometimes this can be the key to an aggressive hopper eat.  Also, if your ultra-realistic pattern isn’t enticing the trout, try something more general, like a Plan B or a Chubby.  We like to fish bright colors like purple, pink and peach during hopper season.  Don’t be afraid to mix it up.

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

7 Day Outlook:

The weather for the Bitterroot is looking excellent for the next week.  Water temps are good, especially in the upper and middle river.  

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 sweepers in this section.  It is getting tougher as water drops.

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.

New Bridge-Woodside: More wood down between New Bridge and Blodgett Park.  The river right channel will require careful scouting and likely boat dragging. The left channel was open this past week.

Woodside-Tucker: the left channel at the split is open but be sure to choose your splits wisely, and the right channel over the diversion dam may need to be portaged. Have a look before you run it.

Tucker-Bell: Unrunable at current flows

Bell-Stevi: Follow the sign that says “GO LEFT” to miss the log jam.  A new log is exposed in the “clear” channel so proceed with caution.

Best Techniques:

Terrestrials and general attracttors are your best bet if you are looking to fish dry flies.  Hoppers, ants and beetles should all be in your box.  If they aren’t eating your hopper, try a micro chubby.  We are seeing the tail end of tricos and BWOs and Mahoganies are right around the corner. If you’re nymphing, TJ Hookers in tan/brown and coffee/black and Prince Nymphs will make a good first bug with Duracells, Frenchies and Spanish Bullets as a second. If you throw streamers try flashy patterns like Sparkle Minnows, Precious Metals, or a Kreelex.

*Traveling or in a hurry?  Let our knowledgeable staff pick a fly selection for you!

*The Online Store is updated daily!  Check it out!

*Call us for up to the minute updates at 406.542.7411 or if you are in the area stop in for all your Orvis gear and the right bugs.

Local Forecast

Deer Lodge, MT, USA

Conditions

Conditions are good on the Bitterroot and will continue to improve.

The Hatch

Terrestrials (Hoppers, Beetles and Ants). Tricos #20-22. A few Hecubas. Mahoganies are not far away.

Fly Patterns

DRIES

  • Chubby Chernobyl #08-12
  • Micro Chub #12-16
  • Plan B #08-12
  • Brindle Chute #12-18
  • Mongo Hopper #10-12
  • Juicy Hopper #06-12
  • Foam Beetle #12-14
  • Para-Ant #14-16
  • Trico Spinner #20-22

NYMPHS

  • TJ Hooker #10-14
  • Perdigon #14-18
  • Spanish Bullet #14-18
  • Frenchie #14-18
  • Duracell #12-16
  • Prince Nymph #10-14
  • Hare’s Ear #12-16
  • Jig PT #14-18

STREAMERS

  • Double Gonga #08
  • Godzilla Sculpin #6-10 in Natural, Olive, or White
  • Buggers #06-12
  • Dungeon in Natural, Grizzly and White
  • Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex and Precious Metals #04-08

USGS Water Charts

Specifics

Water Flow

310cfs (average for this time of year)

Visibility

36"+

Water temperature at mid-day

64F

Water Condition

Clear

Best time of day to fish

Late morning through evening

Best stretch

The upper river will have cooler water and more consistent dry fly fishing. 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 10lb for streamers (we recommend a 4-5' 10lb 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 Gold

Best sinking fly line

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

Recommended Gear based on this report

Orvis Encased Stream Thermometer
Orvis
Orvis Encased Stream Thermometer
Price
$11.95
Scientific Anglers Absolute Fluorocarbon Trout Tippet Clear - 30M
Scientific Anglers
Scientific Anglers Absolute Fluorocarbon Trout Tippet Clear - 30M
Price
$16.95
Scientific Anglers Absolute Trout Leader 3-Pack
Scientific Anglers
Scientific Anglers Absolute Trout Leader 3-Pack
Price
$19.95
Scientific Anglers Absolute Trout Tippet Clear - 30M
Scientific Anglers
Scientific Anglers Absolute Trout Tippet Clear - 30M
Price
$8.95
High and Dry Gel Floatant
High N Dry
High and Dry Gel Floatant
Price
$9.95
High N Dry Liquid Spray Floatant
High N Dry
High N Dry Liquid Spray Floatant
Price
$9.95
High N Dry Powdered Floatant & Desiccant
High N Dry
High N Dry Powdered Floatant & Desiccant
Price
$9.95
Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth MPX
Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth MPX
Scientific Anglers
Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth MPX
Price
$99.95
Rio Gold Premier Fly Line
Rio Gold Premier Fly Line
Rio Products
Rio Gold Premier Fly Line
Price
$99.99
Summer Fly Assortment
Summer Fly Assortment
Blackfoot River Outfitters
Summer Fly Assortment
Price
From $36.95
Streamer Assortment
Streamer Assortment
Blackfoot River Outfitters
Streamer Assortment
Price
From $39.95