!! ENTIRE BITTEROOT RIVER ON HOOT OWL !!

NO FISHING FROM 2PM TO MIDNIGHT

The Bitterroot is continuing to drop and is now in a true mid-summer pattern. The lower river near Missoula is around 1,120 cfs, down from the last report, and water temperatures are getting warm enough that timing matters more than anything. The entire Bitterroot, from the confluence of the East and West forks to the confluence with the Clark Fork, is now under hoot owl restrictions. That means no fishing from 2:00 PM to midnight. Plan your day around the morning window and be off the water before the closure begins.

The big late spring and early summer hatches are behind us, and the river is shifting into mid-to-late summer bugs. Terrestrials are becoming more important every day, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks. Late-stage PMD spinners, Tricos, caddis, Yellow Sallies, and the very end of the drakes are the main bugs to watch now. Golden Stones can still work as a searching dry, but the fishing is becoming more technical.

PMD spinner dry-fly action can be good early in the morning on slow seams, flats, slicks, and tailouts. Watch carefully for soft rises before walking through edge water. Tricos may also become more important in the slower, glassier water as the morning progresses. Once the sun gets higher, dry-dropper rigs and small nymphs will usually be more consistent.

Evening caddis fishing would normally be a strong option, but with hoot owl restrictions in place, anglers need to skip the late evening window. Focus instead on morning caddis leftovers, PMD spinners, Tricos, terrestrials, and nymphing before 2:00 PM. Weather around Hamilton is hot, with highs in the 90s and near 100 by the weekend, so fish early, handle trout carefully, and avoid stressing fish in warm water.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Hoppers #8-12
• Ants #12-16
• Beetles #12-16
• Golden Stones #8-12
• Chubby Chernobyls #8-14
• Water Walkers #8-12
• PMD Spinners #14-18
• Tricos #18-22
• PMDs #14-18
• Yellow Sallies #14-16
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18
• X-Caddis #14-18
• Corn Fed Caddis #12-14
• Purple Haze #14-18
• Parachute Adams #14-18

Nymphs

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

Streamers

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