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Bitterroot River Fishing Report + Rating

4/5

October 24, 2024

Fall is here on the Bitterroot, and our fishing conditions are finally starting to reflect that. Flows hanging below 200 cfs at Darby and hovering around 320 cfs at Bell Crossing. While we are still floating the Bitterroot everyday, the wade angler can comfortably fish almost every stretch at these flows. No need to break dawn this time of year, as fishing won’t heat up until later in the morning. We have seen colder nights below freezing in the last week, followed with cloudy, cool mornings and afternoons. With these conditions, fall hatches have taken off. Mahoganies still happening on the Bitterroot, but you will see mostly BWOs now and into the near future (maybe some midges mixed in there?) Light tippet and long leaders for those big picky dry-fly eaters. Make sure to have your sz 18-22 cripples and duns.  Light tippet and drag-free drifts are a must. These dry fly sippers can be picky. Make your first cast your best cast!  For mayflies we are using your Purple Hazes and Brindle Chutes in 12-16s. Additionally, Tilt-wing Duns, CDC Duns and cripples like the Ms. Tickle Cripple have been fooling fish keyed in on Mahoganies. For BWOs, we are using CDC Duns, On-Point Para Wulffs and Flash Cripples. October caddis happening here and there in the afternoon, so don’t be afraid to twitch a big orange stimulater  around in the latter half of your day.

 Nymphing or streamer fishing are going to be the most productive in between hatches. Start to focus on those deep, inside bends as it continues to cool off. For nymphs, we are using heavy stonefly nymphs like Front St. Stones and TJ Hookers. Follow that up with a small BWO nymph, PT or olive perdigon and you will get some action. The all-mighty San Juan Worm also on the menu as we get more fall precipitation.

‘Tis the season to throw some big meat around. We’ve seeing some scary looking trout chase and crush streamers already. Be mindful of spawning fish this time of year and keep en eye out for redds. That being said, anglers pounding the banks or swinging streamers through deep pools are seeing results. We love the Shake and Bakes, Mini Dungeons, and articulated Sparkle Yummies this time of year. Cheers to October!

Lots of trees are down again this year and a few places are dangerous.  Give our Missoula fly shop a call for up-to-date information.

1/2 off Friday’s are still happening, every Friday all year long. (1/2 off your first dozen dries or nymphs)

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