Missoula Area Fly Fishing Report 6/16

We are one week closer to the best dry fly fishing of the year.  The recent bouts of rain unsettled the rivers this past week but they are currently back on the drop and the bugs are starting to pop.  Both the Bitterroot and Blackfoot Rivers are fishing pretty good with some limited dry fly fishing in afternoons.  If you’re heading out this coming week, get those dry flies ready.  Salmon flies, golden stones and some green drakes are starting to show up.  It’s always a good idea to check river flows before you go, especially on the Blackfoot.  Any big rain event upriver can always impact fishing on the main stem.  The Blackfoot has a couple tributaries that will pump mud so be aware of that.  If the river is muddy, it’s always a good bet to get above Monture Creek, it is usually the biggest culprit of off colored water.

Here is my report for the week.

Blackfoot river is starting to see a few salmon flies and the fish are starting to give a little attention to them here or there.  The past couple of days I have had clients slow rolling streamers trailing a red San Jaun.  Getting a few fish and a couple nice ones at that.  Once I start seeing a few salmon flies in the air I have been switching to a salmon fly with a red worm underneath.  When the fish start to get after the dry fly I have been cutting off the dropper to get the dry fly tighter to the bank and other tasty looking cover.  I am also seeing a few green drakes, so I imagine those are just around the corner.

Dry Flies: Chubbies, Salmon Fly Patterns, Green Drake Cripples

Nymphs: Rubber Legs, Zirdles, San Juan worms, PT Jigs, Prince Nymphs

Streamers: Sparkle Minnows, Zonkers

The Bitterroot River is fishing pretty decent right now.  You still have a few big bugs up high on the East and West Fork and if you want to make the drive, it’s probably your best bet on a consistent dry fly day.  The main river is going to be a dry/dopper game or even just a straight up nymph rig depending on what you’re feeling there.  I know as the water starts to drop all those willow root wads and other woody debris come more into play, which is why I like the dry/dropper rig.  It allows you to fish tighter to this cover and pull out more fish without losing so many flies.    

Dry Flies: Yellow, Purple, Black Chubbies, Salmon Fly Patterns, Green Drake Cripples

Nymphs: Rubber Legs, Pink San Juan Worms, PT Jigs, Prince Nymphs

The Clark Fork River is getting close, maybe another week or so hang in there if you’re wanting to get out and hit it.