The Montana Flyfishing Center
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The Bitterroot River flows north, that’s right “north”, thru the
Beautiful Bitterroot valley. The Bitterroot river offers
picturesque scenery as it flows North towards Missoula
between the Sapphire and Bitterroot Mountain ranges. Browns,
Rainbows, and Westslope Cutthroats lay and wait for your fly
in classic riffles, deep pools, and long undercut banks in this
freestone river. The Bitterroot is famous as a “Dry Fly” fishery
and our season usually starts in March and runs thru fall
depending on the weather. There is a lot of Stone Fly action
along with Mayfly and Caddis hatches. March is famous for the
first Stone Fly hatch of each year, the “Sqwala Fly” and in June
the “Salmon Fly”. Fish species include Bull Trout, Cutthroat,
Rainbows, German Brown, Brook Trout, and some hybrid
Rainbows.
Clark Fork River is fishable above and below it’s confluence
with the Bitterroot and Blackfoot Rivers. Upstream of the
Blackfoot, the river is smaller and swifter and is a great option
during the Salmon Fly hatch. Downstream of the Bitterroot, the
water is big and wide. This water contains long slow rip rap
banks and endless riffles that drop off into deep holes. The
first major hatch in the spring is the Sqwala Stone Fly coupled
with the Gray Drake. Rainbows, Browns, and Cutthroats pod up
tight to the bank eagerly sipping both species from the surface.
Entering into summer, PMDs, Mahogany Duns, Baetis, Caddis,
Tricos, and Hoppers complete the Clark Fork menu.
The Blackfoot River The historical Blackfoot River flows west
from the Continental Divide traveling thru cliff lined canyons
which give way to deep pools, swift chutes, and glacial rock
gardens. In late spring and early summer, Salmon Flies and
Golden Stones hatch along it’s banks. Golden Stones continue
to hatch throughout the summer along with May Flies and
Caddis, making dry fly fishing an option all season long. Of
course just like all great streams, the fish in the Blackfoot are
always interested in a well placed nymph or streamer pattern.
The majority of the fish in the Blackfoot are Westslope
Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout. Browns, Brookies, and Bull
Trout also make the Blackfoot their home.
The Missouri River The Missouri river is one of the best tail
waters in the west. As with most tail water fisheries the
Missouri is full of aquatic life and boosts 4-5000 fish per mile.
This creates an opportunity for anglers to catch an abundance
of large Rainbows and Browns averaging 14-19 inches with
many opportunities at fish up to 24 inches. The Missouri can
be fished in many ways. Drifting a Nymph through the riffles,
casting “Buggers” and Streamers to the bank and the most
exciting fishing comes from stalking pods of rising fish
feeding specifically on current hatches. It is this “match the
hatch” fishing that makes the Missouri River one of the best
dry fly rivers in the nation. Early spring Midges lead way to
Baetis which are followed by PMDs. In late June and early July
the Missouri erupts with a massive Caddis hatch. These Caddis
billow off the banks like smoke and trout line up for miles with
slow head rises. Dry fly fishing continues into the fall with
Tricos in late summer and Baetis into the fall.
Georgetown Lake is rich in aquatic life, has extensive weed
beds, insects, and fish population. Georgetown hosts three
strains of Rainbow trout, Brook trout, and Kokanee salmon.
The three strains of Rainbows trout include; Rainbows up to 5
pounds are not uncommon here, and Brook trout in the 3 to 5
pound range come from these fertile waters. Damsel nymph
flies from mid june with Callibaetis in the bays and large Caddis
in late July. Wooly Buggers, zonkers, and other Streamers for
the Brook trout. In the fall Egg-sucking Buggers are hard to
beat.
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What I have just described represents some of the finest fly
fishing that exists in the Western United States. We are
blessed with living in Montana. Come visit, and let us help you
enjoy it to the fullest..................Dick Galli
