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
September 20, 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 still the main focus for the first part of the day. Come noon, anglers are focussing on terrestrials and our other fall mayflies. Last week's conditions provided for some exciting dry-fly opportunities! Warm, sunny weather on the forecast may make dry fly fishing difficult.
Dry-dropper fishing still the most productive way to fish. Chubby Chernobyls, Water Walkers, 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, Twenty Inchers, Jig PTs, Prince Nymphs, Duracells, Hares Ears 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.
Dry-fly anglers have loved the trico hatch on the Bitterroot. Trico fishing has been best mid-morning to noon, typically. Trico spinners and clusters in sizes #18-22 are the ticket for picky risers keyed in on these small mayflies. Some of our favorites are the Hi-Vis Spinner, Hanging Midge, and Clusters. Long leaders and 5-6x tippet is required for this style of fishing.
Mahoganies and BWOs the main focus in the afternoon. Focus on these hatches on top and subsurface. We love the Last Chance Cripple, Hot Spot Parawulffs, Hatchbacks and Brindlechutes in sizes #14-18.
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 have moved lots of fish twitched or skated.
Streamer fishing picked up with the bump in flows! 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.
