!! ENTIRE BITTEROOT RIVER ON HOOT OWL !!

NO FISHING FROM 2PM TO MIDNIGHT

The Bitterroot is in a low, technical midsummer pattern. Flows near Missoula are around 827 cfs, down again from the last report, and the river is becoming clearer, skinnier, and more demanding. The entire Bitterroot, from the confluence of the East and West forks to the confluence with the Clark Fork, is under hoot owl restrictions, which means no fishing from 2:00 PM to midnight. Plan on fishing early and being off the water before the restriction begins.

The best fishing will be in the morning. Focus on riffle edges, deeper green seams, tailouts, foam lines, shaded banks, side channels, and any cold-water influence. Lower flows mean fish are easier to locate but also easier to spook, so slow approaches and clean drifts matter. Dry-dropper rigs are still useful, but smaller dries, lighter tippet, and accurate presentations are becoming more important each day.

The prolific late spring and early summer hatches are over, and the Bitterroot has shifted into mid-to-late summer bugs. Terrestrials are becoming a major part of the program, 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 hatches to watch now.

PMD spinner action can be good first thing in the morning on slicks, flats, tailouts, and soft seams. Tricos may also bring fish up in slower, glassier water as the morning progresses. Evening caddis fishing would normally be strong, but with hoot owl restrictions in place, anglers need to skip the evening window and focus on legal morning fishing.

Weather around the Bitterroot is hot and smoky, with highs in the 90s and poor air quality from area fires. Fish early, keep trout wet, and stop before water temperatures become stressful.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Hoppers #8-12
• Ants #12-16
• Beetles #12-16
• 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