The Bitterroot is still in a low, technical late-summer pattern. The lower river near Missoula is around 728 cfs, down from the last report, and the river is clear, skinny, and presentation-sensitive. None of these rivers are currently on hoot owl restrictions, but warm afternoons still deserve caution. The best fishing will be early in the morning, with the most consistent action around riffle edges, deeper green seams, tailouts, foam lines, shaded banks, side channels, and any cold-water influence.

The lower flows are making trout easier to locate but much easier to spook. Longer leaders, lighter tippet, careful wading, and accurate first casts are important. Dry-dropper rigs can still be productive, but the better dry-fly fishing will come when fish are actually up and feeding. If the sun gets high and the dry-fly bite slows, small nymphs through riffle drops and deeper seams will be more consistent.

The prolific late spring and early summer hatches have ended, and the Bitterroot is now fully in a mid-to-late summer hatch cycle. Terrestrials are becoming a major part of the program, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks, cutbanks, and shaded structure. Late-stage PMD spinners, Tricos, and caddis are the main aquatic bugs now. PMD spinner and Trico action can be good in the morning on slower seams, slicks, flats, and tailouts.

Caddis fishing can still be good when the sun starts to set, especially along riffle edges, foam lines, and softer banks. The cooler weather coming this weekend should help the river, especially with overnight lows dropping into the 40s and Sunday’s high near the mid-70s. Until then, fish early and keep trout wet.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Hoppers #8-12
• Ants #12-18
• Beetles #12-16
• Chubby Chernobyls #8-14
• Water Walkers #8-12
• PMD Spinners #14-18
• Tricos #18-22
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18
• X-Caddis #14-18
• Corn Fed Caddis #12-18
• Purple Haze #14-20
• Parachute Adams #14-20

Nymphs

• Frenchies #14-18
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Psycho May #14-18
• Perdigons #14-20
• Pheasant Tails #14-20
• Caddis Pupa #12-18
• Jigged Hare’s Ears #14-18
• Small jig nymphs #16-20
• Prince Nymphs #12-16

Streamers

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