Missoula Area Fly Fishing Report 7/15

Rivers are all fishing well currently and weather conditions have been pretty mild(minus a hot day here or there) compared to the past couple of summers.  This past week I have been on all three of our local rivers and have had great success.  We are starting to push past those great hatches of PMD’s, Yellow Sallies and Golden Stones that created some amazing dry fly fishing the past couple of weeks.  So let's jump in and see what each river has been up to.  

Bitterroot River has been very good for me in the stretches above Hamilton.  There has been a strong PMD hatch each morning and then a transition to Sallies and Goldens in the early afternoon.  A size 12 PMD cripple has been hard to beat the entire day.  It covers you through the Sallies and fish just like to eat it.   Some afternoons I have switched to a small golden but I feel like every guide boat in the county is throwing them,the fish are really jaded on them.  Lots of refusals and really slow, investigative eats that can make it hard to get a good set.  I think it's just better to run with the cripple there.  The lower river is starting to see some nocturnal action so be ready with those bigger Golden patterns and drop a rubber leg off the back if they’re not fully committed to eating the dry fly.  This is a great time of year to find a big boy on a dry, you may not get a lot of eats, but they will most likely be worth it.  

Dry Flies: Golden Stone (size 10,12), PMD Cripple (size 12), Stimulators (Orange, Yellow) (size 10,12,14), Purple Haze (size 14, 16), Chubbies (size 6,8,10), Plan B (size 6,8)

Nymphs: Pat’s Rubber Leg (size 8,10), PT Jig (size 14, 16), Tungsten Bead Brown Splitcase (size 14, 16)

Blackfoot has been fishing pretty solid too, the hatches of PMD’s and Sallies have really slowed down so the dry/dropper game is your best bet here.   Pick your favorite chubby or stonefly pattern and drop a PT Jig, Prince or Perdigon off the back.  Run that through the riffle seams, off the drops and down the trenches and you will turn some fish up.  There will also be some nocturnals showing up so a Pat’s Rubber leg is always a safe bet too.  Morning streamer action has been ok as well, if you let it get down in some of the deeper runs you will find a hungry fish or two.  A beetle or ant might play on the hotter days if you’re wanting to stay on top.

Dry Flies: Chubby (size 6,8,10), Yellow Stimulator (size 10,12,14), PMD Cripple (size 12), Purple Haze (size 14,16), Black Beetle (size 12), Red or Black Ants (size 14,16)

Nymphs: Pat’s Rubber Leg (size 8,10), PT Jig (size 14,16), Prince Nymph/Jig (size 14,16), Perdigons (size 12,14,16), Copper John (size 14,16)

Clark Fork river is up to it’s typical moody self.  One day it can be great and the next day it leaves you scratching your head.  There are still some PMD’s lingering around and fish are eating them in the typical Clark Fork dry fly spots.  The foam is home, fishing those foam lines and swirl seams will put you on the feeding lanes.  Also watch the slower banks with washed out root debris, there will be some fish slurping.  One thing to keep in mind, the big fish will barely make a dimple so don’t look past those small looking eats, many times it’s just a big fish sucking the fly down.  Fun fish to target but also very technical and frustrating at the same time.  Nocturnals are also in play, a big dry fly and with a heavy dropper will put you on fish (I tie my rubber legs with a tungsten bead or double bead my San Juan’s specifically for the Clark Fork).  The swirl seams hold fish but you need to make sure your dropper is getting down to the fish or you’ll just be stuck casting it all day.  Also, make sure you’re running a long dropper leash, at least 30”.  Early morning streamers can produce a few fish and in the evenings you will find a good caddis hatch and willing fish right before dark.

Dry Flies: Chubby (size 6,8,10), PMD Cripple (size 12), Purple Haze (size 14,16), Elk Hair Caddis (size 14,16)

Nymphs: Pat’s Rubber Leg (size 8,10), PT Jig (size 14,16), Prince Nymph/Jig (size 14,16), Perdigons (size 12,14,16), Tungsten Beaded Red San Juan (size 10)

That’s in for the week.  Remember to be careful out there, the rivers change everyday, keep your head up and be aware of your surroundings, especially on the Bitterroot. 

We have open dates available over the next couple weeks. Give us a call or shoot use a message we can get you hooked up!