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, 2025
CURRENT CONDITIONS
Flows at Darby right at 230cfs, just over 240cfs at Bell Crossing. Needless to say, the Bitterroot is still really low. That being said, temperatures are much better on the Bitterroot now as we head closer to October.
Hopper-dropper fishing is still the most productive method on the Bitterroot right now in between hatches. We like the Sweetgrass Hopper, Water Walkers and Henneberry Hoppers when hanging a nymph underneath. For the dry fly enthusiasts, focus on a low-profile attractors like a Plan B, Hop-drop-and-roll Hoppers, Panty Droppers and ants like Foam Flying Ants, GR Ants and Splitsville ants.
Tricos consistently hatching on the Bitterroot now. The best window has been between 8am - 11am. The cooler nights have pushed the best trico dry fly fishing back later in the morning until it heats up. For trico dries, we like the Twiggy, Two-Wing Spinner, Sparkle Flag and Trico Cluster. Long leaders and light tippet for these picky risers.
October caddis out and about on the upper river. For dry flies, we like the God-like Caddis, small orange Chubbies and Stimulators. Subsurface, reach for a Squirrel Nymph, Bird of Prey or Spicy Larva.
Reports of hecuba and mahoganymayflies out sporadically. Para. Roosters, DL Cripples, CDC Duns all fooling fish looking for these mayflies.
Subsurface, reach for a TJ Hooker, Twenty-Incher, Jig Pheasant Tail, Jig Prince, spanish bullet or Jig Duracell. Darker spanish bullets and perdigons like are fooling fish keyed in on drowned spinners or trico nymphs.
Streamer fishing is a great way to find fish in between hatches right now. Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex Minnows and Overcoats have produced fish stripped or swung.
Looking Forward
Starting to see October Caddis consistently, which means great hatches of mahogany and BWO mayflies are right around the corner! It feels like fall in Missoula!
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 Conditions
Know before you go! Understand current Bitterroot River flows and conditions before hitting the water.
BITTERROOT RIVER FLOWS
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.
