!! ENTIRE BITTEROOT RIVER ON HOOT OWL !!

!! EAST FORK OF BITTERROOT ON HOOT OWL !!

NO FISHING FROM 2PM TO MIDNIGHT

The Bitterroot is in full low-water midsummer shape. Flows near Missoula are around 631 cfs, down from the last report, and the river is clear, skinny, and technical. The entire Bitterroot, from the confluence of the East and West forks to the confluence with the Clark Fork, is under hoot owl restrictions. That means no fishing from 2:00 PM to midnight. Plan on fishing early, watching water temperatures, and being off the river before the restriction begins.

The best water will be riffle edges, deeper green seams, tailouts, foam lines, shaded banks, side channels, and any cold-water influence. Lower flows make trout easier to locate, but they are also easier to spook. Longer leaders, lighter tippet, careful wading, and clean presentations are becoming more important. Dry-dropper rigs can still work, but this is quickly becoming a smaller-dry and technical-drift game.

The prolific late spring and early summer hatches are over, and the Bitterroot has shifted into mid-to-late summer bugs. Terrestrials are now a major part of the program, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks and undercut edges. Late-stage PMD spinners, Tricos, caddis, Yellow Salliesand the last of the nocturnal stones are the main bugs to watch.

PMD spinner action can be good first thing in the morning on slicks, flats, tailouts, and slow seams. Tricos should also become important in slower, glassy water as the morning progresses. Evening caddis fishing would normally be a strong window, but hoot owl restrictions mean anglers need to skip the evening bite and focus on the legal morning fishing window instead.

Weather around the Bitterroot is hazy and smoky with warming temperatures. Highs are expected to climb into the 90s later this week. 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
• Yellow Sallies #14-16
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18
• X-Caddis #14-18
• Corn Fed Caddis #12-18
• Purple Haze #14-18
• Parachute Adams #14-20
• Spruce Moths #12-16

Nymphs

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

Streamers

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