The MUD continues! The near-Missoula gauge is currently back up to 6000 CFS!! With water temperatures climbing into the 50°F range during the day. Flows have rocketed back up with recent melt, but the Bitterroot is still fishing well, primarily by boat. This is sort of like the third "runoff" we've seen on the Bitterroot so It's just highwater business as usual. Throw away all senslical decision making power, and tie on a pats rubber legs and a worm. Focus of soft water pockets on the bank, get you bugs down quick... yadda yadda yadda.

Warmer weather is driving more consistent bug activity across the system. BWO’s and midges are present throughout the day, with some Mothers Day Caddis show up, and increasingly strong hatches of March Browns, BWO's, and evensome late straggling skwalas and nemoras popping up on certain stretches. These improving conditions are pushing fish to feed more actively, and the Bitterroot is currently offering more reliable dry fly action than neighboring rivers, especially as clarity improves.

Fish are beginning to look up with more consistency, particularly during evening windows when hatch activity peaks. BWO's, March Browns, and maybe even a cheeky midge cluster. While mornings can still be hit-or-miss, the evening dry fly bite has been the highlight—making it well worth keeping a dry box handy if you’re out there.

Subsurface, nymphing continues to produce solid numbers. Focus on deeper runs, seams, and transition water where fish are still holding and feeding. As water temps climb, activity below the surface is picking up—stonefly nymphs, Pat’s Rubber Legs, TJ Hookers, and smaller mayfly patterns like Perdigons, Pheasant Tails, Frenchies, Blowtorches, and Duracells are all getting it done. 

Streamers are still very much in play as well. Fishing larger, darker, high-contrast patterns slowly through structure and deeper buckets has been effective for moving fish. Sparkle minnow, goldie, kreelex, mini dungeons, masked avengers, two tones... Anything that is small-medium, flashy and can get down quick.

As always this time of year, conditions can change quickly. Keep an eye on flows, watch for debris, and be cautious wading—especially around known hazards like the obstruction near Poker Joe.