Fall is knocking on the Bitterroot’s door, and the river is getting interesting. According to Grizzly Hackle’s September 9, 2026 report, last week’s heavy rain sent flows soaring, but the water is now dropping back into good shape. Mornings still belong to Tricos, with tiny #18–22 spinners and clusters, long leaders and light tippet getting the nod for selective risers. By midday, switch gears to hoppers, ants and other terrestrials, or run a dry-dropper through riffles and along structure. As Grizzly Hackle puts it, “Dry-dropper fishing still the most productive way to fish.” Hecubas, mahoganies and October caddis are also beginning to show, which means the fall dry-fly show is warming up.
Streamer fishing has perked up with the extra water, too, and white, yellow and olive patterns with plenty of flash are worth throwing when the sun is out. Expect that bite to improve as September rolls along. For now, the recipe is pretty simple: fish Tricos early, get buggy with terrestrials around midday, keep a streamer handy, and watch for those fall mayflies to start stealing the spotlight. Or, in Grizzly Hackle’s words, “Keep an eye out for our fall hatches to really pop in the next week!”
For more information, call Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop, located at 215 W Front St in
Missoula, MT. You can also give them a call at (406) 721-8996.
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