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
March 29, 2026
CURRENT CONDITIONS
The Bitterroot has cleared up significantly and is dropping into better shape. Colder nighttime temperatures in the forecast should cause it to drop even more this week.
Skwala stoneflies are certainly the name of the game right now on the Bitterroot, subsurface and on-top. BWOs and March Browns also starting to show themselves around lunchtime, although the river conditions haven't been ideal to target these hatches with dry flies just yet. Any day now...
Focus subsurface to start the day. Skwalas have been hatching on the Bitterroot for a bit now. However, the bulk of your dry fly fishing won't heat up until the bugs hatch midday. They'll be looking up for them though!
Start the day nymphing or dry-dropper fishing with a Pats RL, San Juan, Duracell, or Twenty-Incher. Work the deep pools and riffles, but don't ignore the shallow-insides! Those skwalas have to crawl to the shore to emerge (the trout know this too!)
Dry fly fishing will pick up in the afternoon. Some of our favorite skwala dries include the Plan B, Rolling Stone, Emma's Stone and Water Walkers.
We should see some mayflies out this week with some clouds moving in. Parachute mayflies in sizes #14-18 like the Parachute Adams, Purple Hazes, Brindlechutes should be on deck! Ms. Tickles, Last Chance and Flash Cripples will fool picky mayfly-sippers in flat water.
Streamer fishing has improved with the recent spike in flows, scattering sculpin and baby trout out of their normal hiding spots. Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex, Mini-Dungeons, Sculpzillas and Chicago Overcoats stripped through the deep water will produce!
Looking Forward
Forecasted weather suggests that we should expect more seasonal flows this week. Get out there!
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.
