Big changes in the fishing situation in the past week. Rock Creek’s water level is dropping very fast. Last week it was fairly easy to catch fish with a large salmon fly pattern. Now, fish are selectively eating small golden stones, caddis, and the occasional green drake pattern. Fishing reports for Rock Creek seem to be very spotty.
Blackfoot has been dropping and clearing-about 3 feet water visibility. Fish are getting tuned into large skittering salmon fly and golden stone patterns. Look for fish behind boulders, snaky foam lines, and on drop offs. This is a great time to hit the Blackfoot.
The upper Bitterroot above Hamilton is still high-but not for this time of year. Fishing is good to excellent with dry flies in late morning to about 3:30 pm and then slows down. Lots of fat cuts in the 13 to 16 inch range are being caught by anglers. The middle part of Bitterroot river is getting mixed reports-depends upon section fished, time of day, and patterns and techniques used.
Mountain Man
For more information on fly fishing in western Montana, check out John Perry’s Montana Fly Fishing at www.johnperryflyfishing.com!