Happy Monday! It is going to be a beautiful week to fish dry flies and nymphs below said dry flies in western Montana. Fish are fully looking up! Meaning, for creatures with such small brains, they sure are picky on the Bitterroot. Eat the feathers fish! 

The Bitterroot is shaping up well as flows continue to drop throughout the valley. The upper and middle river are becoming much more manageable, and the lower river is starting to fish better too. Improving clarity, warmer water temperatures, and steadier flows should keep conditions moving in the right direction this week.

Stoneflies are still the main focus. Salmonflies are active in sections of the river, especially higher in the system, while Golden Stones are becoming more important each day. PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and caddis are also in the mix. Trout are looking up more consistently, especially along grassy banks, inside bends, softer seams, and side-channel water.

Dry-dropper rigs are a great way to cover water right now. A larger stonefly dry with a smaller nymph underneath will fish well through banks, buckets, and soft edges. Nymphing will still be the most consistent option when the sun is bright or fish are not fully committing to the surface. Streamers are also worth fishing early, late, or anywhere the water has a little color.

The weather looks favorable overall, with warmer temperatures and a more stable pattern helping bug activity build. If flows keep dropping and clarity continues to improve, the Bitterroot should keep fishing better. Stoneflies will remain the main draw, but PMDs, caddis, Yellow Sallies, and Green Drakes should provide more dry-fly opportunities as summer conditions settle in.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Salmonflies #4-6
• Golden Stones #6-10
• Water Walkers #6-10
• Chubby Chernobyls #6-12
• PMDs #14-18
• Green Drakes #10-12
• Yellow Sallies #14-16
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
• X-Caddis #14-16
• Purple Haze #14-18
• Parachute Adams #14-18

Nymphs

• Pat's Rubber Legs #6-8
• TJ Hooker #6-8
• Zirdles #6-10
• Frenchies #14-16
• Psycho May #14-18
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Green Drake Nymphs #10-12
• Caddis Pupa #12-16
• Perdigons #14-18
• Pheasant Tails #14-18
• Prince Nymphs #12-16

Streamers

• Sparkle Minnow
• Swim Coach
• Mini Dungeons
• Peanut Env
• Sculpzilla
• Thin Mint
• Woolly Buggers
• JJ Special
• Olive and black articulated streamers
• Small sculpin patterns

Fishing should continue to improve over the coming weeks as runoff fades and insect activity increases throughout the valley. Stoneflies will remain the primary focus, but PMDs, caddis, and Yellow Sallies should provide steady dry fly opportunities as summer conditions take hold. Anglers willing to cover water and fish a combination of dries and droppers can expect some of the most consistent action of the season.