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, 2025
CURRENT CONDITIONS
October on the Bitterroot is something special, and these first few days of the month are no exception. Cool mornings give way to sunny afternoons, and the river is coming alive with classic autumn hatches.
Flows at Darby right at 200cfs, just over 265cfs at Bell Crossing. The Bitterroot is still really low, but recent conditions have bumped it up to a more comfortable level.
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. Tricos have pretty much dwindled, replaced by Mahoganies, Psuedos and (soon) fall BWOs.
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.
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 small nymphs.
Streamer fishing is a great way to find fish in between hatches right now. This will only improve with the crummy conditions. 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.
