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
April 12, 2026
CURRENT CONDITIONS
Flows on the Bitterroot are up and climbing: 2,400cfs at Darby and 4,200cfs at Bell Crossing... and counting. Lots of water coming down the West Fork right now has the lower river on the rise, making the fishing challenging in the main stem. We'll keep you posted when this starts to change. Focus on the side channels or braids to find smaller water.
Still, lots of bugs hatching throughout the Bitterroot. Skwalas are still the main event, yet plenty of BWOs and more March Browns every day. These lovely spring mayflies hatch typically midday, and continue through the early afternoon. Focus on these hatches subsurface and on-top.
Look for fish to be tight to cover, in side channels or places where they aren't getting fished too as much. Low-riding Skwala flies like Water Walkers, Rogue Stones and Andy's Cadillacs are getting eaten much more often than not. Commmiting to the skwala "dry fly game" can be slow at times. Work the right water, be patient and you'll be rewarded!
If you aren't getting fish to come up to your Skwala, drop a Pat's RL, Jig PT, Jig Prince, Duracell, Blow Torch, Frenchie or San Juan off the back.
This bump in flows will scatter baby trout, baitfish and sculpin around. This will likely make the streamer bite good this week. Grab something heavy like the Sir Sticks-A-Lot, Jig Sparkle Yummy, or Headbanger and hit the water when it starts to drop.
Looking Forward
Nymphing and streamer fishing will likely be the focus until the water drops and clears up a bit. River conditions will likely change this week.
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
VIEW ALL
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.
