‘Hunt in the AM, Fish Midday, Hunt in the PM’ in the Montana Fishing Company Report
By Kelsey

Posted: September 24, 2012

The Montana Fishing Company Report

The rivers are doing great for fall.  Missoula is still filled with smoke and will be for another week or so.  I have not been out on the Bitterroot River in a few weeks, due to the heavy amount of smoke in the air.  I have heard that the Hecuba’s are out in force.  This is a large tan/brown may fly that appears in the fall.  The trout are looking for these bugs to feed on before the cold winter months.

The Blackfoot river east of Missoula, Montana is still doing well.  The river water is cold and the trout are active.  Caution, try not to use your drift boat in this river because the water is a bit low.  You can still do it, but you have to be good on the sticks.  Try the October caddis size 10 and a midge dropper size 16.  Other patterns that are working, Hoppers of all sizes, pats rubbers legs any color, the sanjaun worm pink or red.  You should do all you can to stay on top and fish dry flies.  Hecuba’s and tricos have been out in force.

The Clark Fork River below Missoula all the way to Thompson Falls has been the river to be on.   With rising heads all over the river you can shoot your line out to the big fish.  This river has been getting less pressure with archery elk season on its way.   I had the opportunity to take the women’s fly fishing class from the University of Montana out on the river.   Trico’s, Hecuba’s, Hoppers, October caddis, are some flies to try.

The Thompson River is doing great.  Caddis, October caddis, yellow sallies, hoppers, just about anything dry is great.  You can elk hunt in the am and mid-day hit the river and return to the hunt in the pm.  I had the opportunity to take my daughter fly fishing the other day.  I told her that I had a surprise for her.  When I pulled out the Sweetgrass bamboo fly rod her eyes lit up with joy.  Cora Lee landed her first fish on a bamboo fly rod at the age of 2 1/2.  This is her 5th trout this year on a fly rod.  What a joy.

 

 

 

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