Missoula Fly Fishing Report 7/1
Quick fishing report for the extended 4th of July Weekend!
The Bitterroot River is transitioning back into shape after a big bump mid-week. I have not been up there since the bump. I imagine dry/dropper will play during the mornings and switch to a PMD cripple once the hatch starts in the afternoon. There are some goldens showing up and with the warmer weather they should make for some great afternoon fishing. I like to throw an orange stimulator in a size 12, clip the hackle off flush with the bottom of the hook shank to get it to float flush with the water.
Dry Flies: Chubbies in 8/10, Green Drake Cripple size 10, PMD cripple size 12, orange, yellow and royal stimulators size 10/12
Nymphs: Pat’s Rubber Leg, Pink San Juan worm, PT Jigs size 14, TJ Hooker size 10
The Blackfoot is still fishing good but has had some added pressure with the Bitterroot being out of shape, also with it being the 4th of July weekend there are going to be a lot of boats on the water. There are a few salmon flies out but the fish are getting pretty jaded on those, yesterday we had numerous fish come and look but not eat the fly. I am still running a streamer in the morning with some success and throwing a dry/dopper in the afternoon. A pt jig was working really well for me fishing the big drops and faster edges, sometimes you need to slow down and work spots over and over to get a fish to bite. There’s also some pmd’s and yellow sallies around, lots of smaller fish keying in on those
Dry Flies: Salmon Fly Patterns size 4,6,8, Chubbies size 6,8, PMD cripples size 12, yellow, orange, royal stimulators size 12
Nymphs: Pat’s Rubber leg size 6,8, San Juan Worm, PT jig size 14, Prince nymphs size 12,14, TJ Hooker 6,8,10
The Clark Fork is fishable but I have had a couple rough days there. One day there were quite a few PMD’s and fish were eating them in the back eddies. The second day I fished there were hardly any PMD’s and only found a handful of fish feeding on top. Playing underneath with a heavy pats and a red San Juan or a PT jig will probably be your best play there. Clark Fork can be super moody, wait for your cloudy days or get out there early or get on late to get better dry fly fishing.
Dry Flies: Chubbies size 6,8, PMD Cripple size 12, Yellow Stimulator size 10,12
Nymphs: Pat’s Rubber Leg 6,8, Red/Wine San Juan Worms, PT Jigs size 12,14, Prince Nymphs size 12,14.
Hope everyone has a great 4th of July and gets some well needed fishing time in!
