Looking for the best small stream fly fishing near Missoula, Montana? Discover 5 hidden gem creeks with wild trout, cooler water temperatures, and excellent terrestrial fishing during late summer.

Quick Tips: Best Small Streams for Fly Fishing Near Missoula

Top 5 Small Streams near Missoula:

1. Rock Creek - 30 minutes from Missoula, legendary fishing nearly year round, extensive public access.
2. Flint Creek - Wild brown trout near Philipsburg, Montana, Georgetown Lake to Clark Fork.
3. Rattlesnake Creek - Urban wilderness experience, minutes from downtown Missoula.
4. Little Blackfoot River - Overlooked gem, brown trout dominate, all trout species present.
5. West Fork Bitterroot - Tailwater, cool summer temperatures, westslope cutthroat dominate.

Best Time to Fish: Late summer (July-September) when larger rivers are warm and low but the creeks and streams are perfect temperatures and flow.

Top Flies & Hatches: Terrestrials like hoppers, ants, and beetles with seasonal hatches like PMDs, caddis, spruce moths, stoneflies, and more. Common popular flies work well like the Purple Haze, Stimulators, Elk Hair Caddis, Plan B, and others.

Cool Water Temperature: These creeks and streams provide cooler water than the other alternative rivers in the area, making for excellent summer fly fishing deep in the dog days of summer.

There's no better way to escape the heat during the dog days of summer than exploring Montana's hidden small streams and creeks for fly fishing. While many rivers across the state get low and warm, anglers will find solace just off the beaten path in Missoula. The area around Missoula is riddled with small creeks and streams, teeming with eager trout in cool water looking for dry flies. Beat the heat in late summer and throw a fly in any of the following Montana streams and creeks.

1. Rock Creek: Montana's Legendary Wading Stream

Distance from Missoula: 30 minutes
Fish Species: Browns, rainbows, and cutthroat (species not specified in original)
Best Season: Spring through Fall (April-October)
Access: Extensive public access along entire creek

Rock Creek—just about 30 minutes from Missoula—is nothing short of legendary. It's widely regarded as one of the best trout streams in the state and maybe even the entire West. This picturesque wading stream shines its best in late summer, as river flows drop to a comfortable wading level and ample hatches of terrestrials keep the fish hammering dry flies all summer long.

While not a secret to many anglers, Rock Creek boasts unparalleled amounts of public access. So much so that you could go weeks on Rock Creek without fishing the same water. Needless to say, many fly fishing spots on Rock Creek go un-fished. We always tell anglers that if you go around the corner, you might find the next untapped fishing hole on Rock Creek.

Check our current Rock Creek fishing report before heading out. Or to get the full scoop on "The Rock", read our Rock Creek Fly Fishing Guide.

2. Flint Creek: Small Stream, Big Rewards

Distance from Missoula: 1-1.5 Hours
Fish Species: Wild brown trout
Characteristics: Undercut banks, deep pools, meandering stream

Flowing from Georgetown Lake through the Philipsburg Valley to the Clark Fork, Flint Creek is a small, scenic creek known for wild brown trout and minimal fishing pressure. Flint Creek is a charming, meandering stream characterized by undercut banks, deep pools, and limited public access; anglers willing to explore beyond limited access points are rewarded by untapped fly fishing spots.

Like Rock Creek, this little stream shines best in late summer with small terrestrials like hoppers, ants and beetles. Access is limited to a handful of bridges and BLM access points. Anglers looking to explore Flint Creek will need to be geared up and ready for an adventure, as bushwhacking and heavy wading is sometimes necessary to avoid trespassing on private property. Explore off the beaten path and put Flint Creek on the list for late summer Montana fly fishing.

3. Rattlesnake Creek: Urban Wilderness Fly Fishing

Distance from Missoula: 5-15 minutes from downtown Missoula
Fish Species: Rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout
Characteristics: Urban-wilderness experience in city limits

From its origins in the vast Rattlesnake Wilderness to the Clark Fork River in downtown Missoula, Rattlesnake Creek offers a unique urban-wilderness fly fishing experience featuring cold, clean waters and a variety of trout species. While not on the bucket list for many anglers, Rattlesnake Creek offers intimate, small stream fishing opportunities conveniently located within minutes from our downtown fly shop.

Many anglers are familiar with the beloved "Hollywood Hole:" a 200-yard run created by the confluence of Rattlesnake Creek and the Clark Fork River. There, many rainbow and cutthroat trout gather in the cold, clean flows in the spring and fall. Anglers will find a variety of rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout eager to take small dry flies upstream from here.

Important Regulation: Fishing is closed year-round on Rattlesnake Creek from the mouth of Beescove Creek to the former location of the Mountain Water Company Dam, as posted.

4. Little Blackfoot River: The Overlooked Gem

Distance from Missoula: 1-1.5 Hours
Fish Species: Brown trout dominate but rainbows and cutthroat can be encountered
Characteristics: Small meandering stream in a remote valley

Often overlooked, the Little Blackfoot River offers excellent summer fly fishing opportunities for anglers looking to venture off the beaten path. The Little Blackfoot is a tributary of the upper Clark Fork. It flows from its headwaters in the Helena National Forest to the Clark Fork near Garrison. All trout species can be found there, but brown trout particularly dominate this stream.

The Little Blackfoot mostly flows through private land, making accessing the entire stream difficult in spots. A handful of public access points on the lower river near Garrison allow anglers to hop in and explore this unpressured fly fishing stream. Dry dropper fishing works great on the Little Blackfoot, with terrestrial fishing taking over mid-summer. Small hoppers, ants and beetles will fool quality trout all summer long up here. The Little Blackfoot is a quiet fly fishing gem for anglers looking for a peaceful wading experience with solid trout action.

5. West Fork of the Bitterroot River: The Cool Tailwater Alternative

Distance from Missoula: 1-1.5 Hours
Type: Tailwater (flows from Painted Rocks Reservoir)
Characteristics: Cool water temperatures even in late summer and dynamic water

The West Fork of the Bitterroot River, flowing from Painted Rocks Reservoir to the confluence with the East Fork, is home to excellent summer wade fly fishing—especially when compared to the large (often times busy) main river. The West Fork is technically a tailwater, flowing cool and clean from the reservoir even through the late summer months while other rivers may remain warm.

The result is a beautiful wade fishing stream boasting a healthy westslope cutthroat population, readily eating dry flies. Anglers looking to explore the West Fork will find several access points traveling upstream on West Fork Rd. The West Fork boasts excellent stonefly hatches in early summer, and fishes well with terrestrials and small attractors late summer into fall.

Essential Gear for Montana Small Stream Fly Fishing

Rod Setup: 3-4 weight fly rod of 7-9 feet in length for better control in tight spaces. Our personal favorite small stream fly rod is the Winston Pure 2 7'9" 3wt or a Scott 50th Anniversary F-Series 7' 3wt.
Flies to Bring: Hoppers, ants, beetles, mayflies, and stoneflies. Necessary summer fly fishing patterns include Plan B's, Micro Chubbies, Yeti Hopper, Stimulators, CFO Ant, but a variety of hoppers, ants, & terrestrials in different sizes and colors will get the job done.
Wading Gear: Quality wading boots for slippery, rocky creek bottoms. Or go with a paid of wet wading shoes like Korkers All Axis Shoe.
Access Info: Maps, GPS apps like OnX Fish, and respect for private property boundaries.

Stock up on small stream essentials at our Missoula fly shop - we know these waters like the back of our hand.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fly Fishing Montana's Small Creeks & Streams

1. Why Fish Small Streams in Late Summer?

1. Cooler Water Temperatures - Small streams stay cool when the larger rivers warm up.
2. Prime Terrestrial Fishing - Hoppers, ants, and beetles abundant July-September.
3. Less Fishing Pressure - Escape the crowds on main rivers, get in the backcountry for exploration.
4. Wild Trout Populations - Native and wild fish in pristine habitat.
5. Intimate Fishing Experience - Close-quarters dry fly fishing opportunities.

2. What is the best stream for fly fishing in Montana?

Rock Creek, located just 30 minutes from Missoula, is widely regarded as one of the best trout streams in Montana and possibly the entire West, offering unparalleled public access with over 40 miles of fishable water containing browns, rainbows, and cutthroat trout in a legendary setting that includes everything from riffles and pools to the famous late May Salmon Fly hatch.

3. Where to go walk and wade fly fishing in Montana in summer?

Montana's small streams like Rock Creek, Rattlesnake Creek, Flint Creek, Little Blackfoot River, and West Fork Bitterroot offer excellent walk and wade opportunities during summer when larger rivers get warm and face hoot owl restrictions, while tailwaters like the Missouri River and high-elevation tributaries provide consistently cool water for all-day fishing.

4. What are the best small streams for fly fishing near Missoula?

The Missoula area offers exceptional small stream diversity with Rock Creek (30 minutes away) being the legendary choice, Rattlesnake Creek providing urban wilderness fishing just minutes from downtown, and hidden gems like Flint Creek and Little Blackfoot River offering wild brown trout fishing with minimal pressure within an hour's drive.

5. Where can I fly fish in Montana when rivers get too warm?

When Montana's freestone rivers heat up during summer, target tailwaters like the Missouri River (5,000+ trout per mile), upper Madison, and Beaverhead that stay cool from dam releases, or head to small streams like Rock Creek and West Fork Bitterroot, high-elevation tributaries, and always fish early morning before temperatures exceed 68°F to protect trout health. Want to see all of your options? Check out our blog on where to fish during hoot owl restrictions to learn more.

6. What flies work best for Montana small stream fishing in late summer?

Late summer Montana small stream fishing is dominated by terrestrial patterns including hoppers (Chubby Chernobyl, Henneberry Hoppers), ants (Foam Flying Ants), beetles, and proven attractors like Purple Haze (created in Hamilton, Montana), Stimulators, and Plan B, with dry-dropper rigs being particularly effective when you hang a small nymph under your terrestrial pattern.

Planning Your Small Stream Adventure

Best Months: July, August, September
Water Levels: Check recent weather - small streams respond quickly to rain
Access: Research public access points and respect private property
Regulations: Review Montana fishing regulations and any stream-specific closures

From Rock Creek's famous hatches to the quiet forks of the Bitterroot, Missoula fly fishing is a wade-fishing dream. Easy access, wild trout, and stunning scenery make every day on the water worth it. Grab your rod, hit the road, and experience some of Montana's best walk and wade fly fishing.

Ready to explore Montana's hidden gems and small streams? Visit our Missoula fly shop for local advice, current conditions, and the right gear for small stream success. Our expert Missoula fly fishing guides knows these waters personally and can point you toward the best fishing for current conditions. Looking to get the most of your time on the water? Book one of our guided Missoula fly fishing wade trips and learn from an expert guide.