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 9, 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! Hecubas, mahagonies and October caddis should start bringing fish to the surface consistently any day now. We just started seeing some this week.
Heavy rains last week more than doubled flows on the Bitterroot in spots. This threw everything for a loop. Now, the river is dropping into good shape.
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 and along structure this time of year.
The dry-fly enthusiasts are starting to hone in on the trico hatch and terrestrial fishing midday. The best dry fly fishing is early. 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.
Small hoppers, ants and attractors like Plan Bs, Stimulators, Hop-Drop-and-Rolls, Panty Droppers and GR Ants catching fish on the upper river. Stay prepared with small mayfly and caddis dries on the lower river. Purple Hazes, Brindlechutes, Cripples and Para-Wulffs catching fish in sizes #12-16.
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
Keep an eye out for our fall hatches to really pop in the next week! Get out now and enjoy these higher-than-normal flows on the Bitterroot!
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.
