Bitterroot River Fishing Report
Our Bitterroot River fishing report comes to you straight from the river! We tell it like it is and take pride in providing the most accurate Missoula fishing report available. When you want to know how the fishing is, what tactics to use, or what flies to tie on, we’re your one-stop Missoula fly shop.
QUALITY RATING
Full details below
October 3, 2026
CURRENT CONDITIONS
Fall is in the air down the Bitterroot! We love this time of year on the Bitterroot, and it's just getting started.
Tricos (and now some BWOs and psuedos) still the main focus for the first part of the day. Come midday, anglers are focussing on terrestrials and our other fall mayflies. Warm, sunny conditions this week have made the dry fly window short and difficult. Keep your eyes peeled for rising fish mid-morning on and make your first cast count! Low, clear water and picky fish is a tricky combo. Our most productive dry flies have been the Tuckers Twiggy, Flash Cripple, CDC Para Spinner and Half Dun. Purple Hazes, PA Adams, Rocky Mtn. Mints and Brindlechutes in sizes #18-20 also fooling fish (with a good drift.)
Dry-dropper fishing still the most productive way to fish. Chubby Chernobyls, Sweetgrass Hoppers, Juicy Hoppers and Henneberry Hoppers work well for the dry-dropper fishing. They're easy to spot and float high in sizes #10-14. Fishing TJ Hookers, Zirdles, Jig PTs, Frenchies, Duracells, Jig Napoleons and dark-colored perdigons 3-5' under the dry fly has been the ticket. The fish will be congregated in the riffles, eddies and along structure this time of year.
Small hoppers, ants and attractors like Plan Bs, Stimulators, Hop-Drop-and-Rolls, Panty Droppers and GR Ants catching fish on the upper river. October caddis patterns like the Stimulator, Godlike Caddis and PMXs in a #10 or #12 have moved lots of fish twitched or skated.
Expect streamer fishing to only improve as we near the end of the month. Our favorites on the Bitterroot are typically white, yellow, and/or olive. The flashier the better on these bright, clear days. Articulated Sparkle Yummies, Headbangers, Lazer Legals and Butchers have produced fish in the right water.
Looking Forward
Tough sunny conditions on the horizon. Fish still gotta eat! Dry fly sippers will be picky, keep your eyes peeled!
FLOATERS BEWARE
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 Fridays are still happening, every Friday all year long. (1/2 off your first dozen dries or nymphs)
FEATURED FLIES
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BITTERROOT RIVER Flows & Conditions
Know before you go! Understand current Bitterroot River flows and conditions before hitting the water.
Bitterroot River Flows @ Missoula, MT
Bitterroot River Flows @ Bell Crossing Near Victor, MT
Bitterroot River Flows @ Darby, MT
West Fork Bitterroot River Flows @ Connor, MT
BITTERROOT VALLEY WEATHER
See the Bitterroot fishing report weather forecast for the next 7-days. For more information on the forecast or detailed weather data, please visit NOAA Weather Data – Stevensville, Montana.
