Mother Nature tried to rain on the parade, but the Bitterroot River didn’t get the memo. Grizzly Hackle reports that despite recent high waters, the fish are throwing their own Fourth of July party—and everyone’s invited to the dry-fly buffet.
Here’s the latest from Grizzly Hackle:
CURRENT CONDITIONS
Fishing on the Bitterroot has been great recently. Water still high for wade anglers, especially after the recent heavy rain. Don’t let it deter you: great fishing out there right now. The mayfly was the main focus last week: tons of PMDs and green drakes in the afternoon on the Bitterroot. Consistent hatches of goldenstones (AKA “Bitterroot stones,”) yellow sallies, and caddis have made for excellent dry fly opportunities, as well. Plenty of great fishing going on in The Valley as we head into the holiday weekend.
Fishing has been consistent throughout the day. Most anglers fishing dry-dropper, while keeping their eyes peeled for more bugs/consistently rising trout. Chubby Chernobyls, Water Walkers, Dancin Rickys and Fools Golds work well for the dry-dropper fishing. They’re easy to spot and float high. Go for a size #10-14 up-top for these stonefly dries. Try a Pat’s, TJ Hooker, AB Sally, Frenchie, Phase 2, Jig PT or Jig Thrasher subsurface. They will key in on the small mayfly/caddis nymphs as the day goes on and the hatch thickens. Start the day 3-5′ subsurface and consider shortening your dropper as the day goes on as those bugs emerge.
Most anglers looking for better dry fly fishing in the afternoon and evening. Stimulators, Sweet Dreams, Plan Bs and small Chernobyls checking the box for those small stoneflies. Hot-spot Brindles, Purple Para. Roosters, and Purple Hazes catching fish in various sizes for mayflies. For the technical angler, we have the best selection of cripples, duns and spinners in town! Those big dry-fly sippers don’t come easy… come in and get the goods!
The streamer fishing often comes second to the amazing dry-fly fishing this time of year. Don’t forget about it! Stripping and/or swinging streamers between hatches has been productive. White, yellow and olive have had the best reports. Sparkle minnows, Sir-Sticks-A-Lots, and the new “Good Idea” catching fish.
Looking Forward
The weather threw us a curveball with the recent rain. The Bitterroot, however, seemed to fair well through the storms. Not much fluctuation in water level, and now dropping and clearing up. Mayflies love cloudy, rainy weather. Looking ahead, keep an eye out for stoneflies and pmd dry fly fishing in the dry, sunny weather.
Happy Fourth of July!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)
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