The Bitterroot is shaping up nicely here in mid June. Since the Bitterroot Range tends to hold snow for a little longer than the surrounding ranges, it's water remained a little bit cooler up until now. With fewer boats flocking towards this river, now is a perfect time to get away from some of those crowds post run-off.

PMD's have been spotted all the way up the river, with larger green drakes hatching in the mid morning and late afternoons. A well placed presentations with either a Parachute PMD or an Extended Body Green Drake. There have been reports that fish have been found feeding on top in both fast riffles and slow water up against undercut banks, so don't be afraid to try different water types. Caddis, like everywhere right now, are also coming off in droves. For a little more fun, try throwing double dries with a stonefly to caddis!

Fish are also agressivly eating subsurface in the the cooler mornings. These fish are happy and hungry sitting at the bottom of pools before having to supliment their diets on the surface. A Large pats rubber legs or even a Quilldigon in the right place will almost certainly yeild a large brown trout you've been stalking.

Why try nymphs when you could be throwing streamers though! These fish have gotten a little bit of a rest since skwala season, and are ready to chase any kind of protein pack darting from rock to rock. Undercut banks and log jams are also a surefire place to find a butterball trout ready to eat. Kreelex in copper and any kind of sculpin pattern in olive or black should do just the trick. 

Now that it's post runoff, the Bitterroot should be running at a much more temperate pace, and will be the river you should find yourself on in the coming weeks!