The Bitterroot is continuing to drop into a true mid-summer pattern. Flows near Missoula are around 1,530 cfs, down again from the last report, and water temperatures are climbing into the upper 60s by morning. That means the river is still fishing, but anglers need to be smart with timing. Early starts are important, and the best windows will be morning, shaded water, cloudy periods, and the evening caddis bite.

Fish are settling into classic summer holding water. Focus on grassy banks, inside bends, riffle edges, tailouts, foam lines, side channels, and deeper green seams near faster current. Dry-dropper rigs remain a strong choice for covering water, especially with a Golden Stone, Chubby, Water Walker, or terrestrial-style dry on top and a smaller PMD, caddis, or jig nymph underneath. During the bright middle of the day, nymphing through riffle drops, buckets, and deeper seams will be more consistent than forcing dries.

Hatches are shifting deeper into the summer menu. Golden Stones are still worth fishing as a searching dry, but PMDs, Yellow Sallies, caddis, Green Drakes, nocturnal stones, and early terrestrials are becoming more important. PMD spinner dry-fly action can be very good in the morning, especially in slow seams, slicks, flats, and tailouts where fish can feed quietly. Look for subtle rise forms before walking through shallow edge water.

Evening caddis fishing should be one of the best windows on the Bitterroot right now. As the sun starts to set, fish should slide toward riffle edges, banks, foam lines, and softer seams. A low-riding caddis, Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, or Corn Fed Caddis can be a great choice once the light softens.

Weather around Hamilton is hot, with a heavy thunderstorm chance today, more heat Saturday, and warm conditions continuing into next week. Watch water temperatures closely and give fish a break during the hottest part of the day.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Golden Stones #6-10
• Chubby Chernobyls #6-12
• Water Walkers #6-10
• PMD Spinners #14-18
• PMDs #14-18
• Green Drakes #10-12
• Yellow Sallies #14-16
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
• X-Caddis #14-16
• Corn Fed Caddis #12-14
• Purple Haze #14-18
• Parachute Adams #14-18
• Ants and beetles #12-16

Nymphs

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

Streamers

• Sparkle Minnows
• Mini Dungeons
• Peanut Envy
• Sculpzilla
• Thin Mint
• Woolly Buggers
• Olive and black articulated streamers
• Small sculpin patterns