Bitterroot River Fly Fishing
The Bitterroot River, stretching through the scenic Bitterroot Valley, offers one of the most diverse and rewarding Montana fly fishing experiences. From its wilderness headwaters in the mountains of Southwest Montana to its confluence with the Clark Fork River near Missoula, the river flows through lush forests, open meadows, and rugged canyons.
Known for its abundant hatches and stunning scenery, the Bitterroot is a haven for fly anglers who seek both beauty and challenge. The early season skwala hatch on the Bitterroot signifies the beginning of spring fly fishing in Montana for anglers throughout the Big Sky.
This classic, western freestone river is well suited for both wade and float fishing anglers throughout its’s course.
Experienced anglers are drawn to the Bitterroot for the variety of Montana fish and year-round dry fly fishing. Novice anglers improve their skill quickly, employing multiple fly fishing tactics to find success throughout the day.
Bitterroot River Sections
Headwaters to Hamilton
The mainstem Bitterroot River foms at the confluence of its east and west forks, near Connor, and flows north for 80+ miles to it’s confluence with the Clark Fork. These headwater tributaries are outstanding wild trout fisheries, meriting exploration by both seasoned and novice anglers.
The upper Bitterroot has a steeper gradient with more riffles and pocket water than anglers find lower in the drainage. This section of medium-sized river holds good numbers of smaller trout. Logjams and downed trees can make for difficult navigation during the early and late summer seasons.
Hamilton to Florence
This section of the Bitterroot River is wide and meandering, offering excellent opportunities for both wading and floating. The river is known for its prolific insect hatches, making it a favorite for dry fly enthusiasts. Rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout rise eagerly to well-presented flies, particularly in the spring and fall when the water conditions are ideal.
The river is characterized by long glides that taper into skinny riffles, creating myriad braids and side channels for the angler to explore. Advanced anglers enjoy the challenges of “match the hatch” style of dry fly fishing during the prolific late summer trico and mahogany mayfly hatches.
Anglers fishing and floating this section of the Bitterroot are well advised to check with a local fly shop before floating as there are some tricky diversion dams near Hamilton and logjams can become significant hazards.
Florence to Missoula
The lower stretches of the Bitterroot near Missoula provide larger waters and deeper runs. This stretch is best suited for floating, as it allows anglers to access remote and less pressured waters.
Deep holes give way to braided channels with undercut banks and subtle depth changes that hold a mixed bag of species including trout and northern pike.
Upstream irrigation demands and summer heat makes the lower river less productive during the summer months. Missoula anglers fishing the lower Bitterroot give this section more attention just after runoff and then once again in the fall. Recreational floaters hit this section en masse July – September.
Bitterroot River Fly Fishing Seasons
Spring
Springtime brings the first major Bitterroot River fly fishing event of the year—the Skwala Stonefly hatch. This large stonefly signals the start of dry fly season – typically sometime between mid-March and early April. Anglers can fish large stonefly patterns near the banks, where big Browns and Rainbows lie in wait.
As the weather warms, blue-winged olive and March Brown mayflies join the mix, offering additional opportunities for dry fly enthusiasts. Dry/dropper rigs with chubby Chernobyls and heavy nymph droppers are standard when trout aren’t rising. By late May, the river rises due to runoff, making wading difficult but ideal for anglers who enjoy float trips.
Summer
As the river levels drop following runoff, the Salmonfly hatch dominates the early summer months. These massive insects create a feeding frenzy among the trout, particularly in the upper reaches of the river. Fishing large dry flies that mimic Salmonflies can result in some of the most explosive topwater action of the year.
Golden stoneflies, PMDs, and caddis hatches keep trout feeding on dry flies until the summer heat of late July settles in. Terrestrials like hoppers, ants, and beetles become key as the hatches wane. Fishing hopper-dropper rigs is highly effective in targeting both surface and subsurface feeding trout through early afternoon.
Fall
Fall on the Bitterroot is a magical time, with the changing leaves and cooler temperatures bringing renewed hatch activity to the river. September is a prime month for fly fishing Montana rivers and the Bitterroot is a favorite among Montana anglers.
Trico and mahogany dun hatches keep trout feeding on the surface through the late morning. Blue-winged olive hatches take off on cool, overcast days well into October. Brown trout become more active, enticing anglers to work their streamer fly fishing skills around logjams and underwater structures where the largest trout hold unseen for most of the year.
Winter
While many anglers pack away their gear for the winter, the Bitterroot River remains open and productive for those willing to brave the cold. The slower pace of winter fly fishing offers solitude and productive nymph fishing throughout the middle and lower river sections.
Although temperatures can be cold, the Bitterroot Valley is known as the “banana belt” of Montana for its relatively mild winter climate. Overcast, mild days in February and March can be accompanied by prolific midge and blue-winged olives in the weeks leading up to the Skwala hatch.
Bitterroot River Fly Fishing Trips
Fins and Feathers has been outfitting Montana fly fishing trips for nearly 25 years. Bitterroot River fly fishing trips are available to guests through our multi-day, custom Montana fly fishing vacation itineraries.
Join one of our Montana fishing guides during the fall for a western Montana fly fishing “sampler experience.” Fish the Clark Fork, Blackfoot, and Bitterroot over 3-5 days as we roam around the Missoula fly fishing rivers, focusing on the dry fly fishing opportunities of early fall.
Contact us to learn more about exploring western Montana with Fins and Feathers during your next fly fishing vacation to Montana. These customized itineraries are geared towards intermediate to advanced fly anglers looking to improve their skills or perfect their dry fly skills.
Bitterroot River Fly Box
Montana Fish of the Bitterroot River
