Fishing Season: Year round; some tributaries closed December 1-third week of May. Check regulations before fishing.

Bitterroot River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

52

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

When river flows rise, fish often move out of their usual lies and into softer, slower-moving water where they can conserve energy. In these conditions, especially when visibility is low, you'll need to present your fly right in front of them to get an eat. Focus your efforts on prime holding water and make multiple clean, drag-free drifts to maximize your chances. *See our 7 Day Outlook for updates on blockages jamming up the Bitterroot.

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Map of Bitterroot River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Blackfoot River Outfitters
Blue Damsel Lodge
Montana Hunting and Fishing Adventures
Triple Creek Ranch

5-Day Outlook as of 5/14/25

The next week in the Bitterroot Valley will bring mostly cloudy skies with daily highs in the mid-50s to low 60s and frequent chances for showers. These cooler, wet conditions will help slow snowmelt slightly, but the river remains high and off-color from spring runoff. Fishing is still possible but challenging so focus on slow water along the banks, seams, and back eddies. Nymph rigs with Pat's Rubber Legs and San Juan Worms are producing, and dark streamers can be effective on cloudy days. Watch for evening hatches of BWOs, Gray Drakes, and caddis if the water clears enough for dry fly action. Use caution wading, as flows are elevated and debris may be present. If you are floating please use extreme caution. This river changes rapidly and is known for producing fatal log jams. Give us a call for an updated obstruction report. If you see any issues be sure to call us or send pics so we can share the same. Thanks.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/14/25

Time to bobber up again. With high dirty water double your chances of finding fish with a double nymph rig. Go BIG on your flies until clarity is greater than 2 feet of visibility. As clarity improves we may have the opportunity for good dry fly fishing on Caddis and Drakes. If you’re fishing a dry dropper try running a foam salmonfly pattern. 1) the fish might see the dry and move for a big meal, and 2) it’ll hold up a big dropper. This is 6wt season! Streamers: Dungeon, Envy, Lil Kim, Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex Nymphs: Worms, Hot Bead Stone, TJ Hooker, Girdle Bugs, Jig Caddis Pupa, Duracell, Blowtorch, Jig Mini Bugger Dries: Chubby, Plan B, #6-10 BWOs: On Point BWO, Purple Haze, BWO Cripple #18-20 March Browns: Parachute PT, Brindlechute, March Brown Cripple #12-14 Grey Drake: Film Critic, Flash Cripple, Carnage Drake Mothers Day Caddis: Elk Hair Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis, X-Caddis #12-14

Local Species Available Year round; some tributaries closed December 1-third week of May. Check regulations before fishing.

  • Fish Icon

    Trout - rainbows

  • Fish Icon

    browns and cutties - whitefish

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Vernille San Juan Worm N/A #6-10
Bead Head Prince N/A #8-10
Tunghead Stonefly N/A #6-10
CDC Mayfly Emerger March Brown #12-14
TJ Hooker N/A #08-12
Sparkle Minnow N/A #04-08
TH 20 Incher N/A #8-12
Tunghead Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail N/A #12-18
Plan B N/A #10-14
Kreelex N/A #6

Vernille San Juan Worm

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Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Gear

Description: About Bitterroot River

The panoramic mountains of the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness towering above this river make for an unforgettable setting. The Bitterroot affords anglers over 80 miles of varied freestone trout water ranging from riffles and runs to undercuts and deadfalls. This river's largest fish often rise to dry flies even in non-hatch conditions. One of our guides claims that "If you catch a fish on the Bitterroot, you could have caught it with a dry fly!" This probably isn't far from the truth in light of our fishing dries here 90% of the time (often with an additional bead head dropper). Renowned hatches of stone and may flies are in full force by March, providing the state's best early season surface action and Bitterroot river fish tend to look up for the rest of the season. Expect to catch native westslope cutthroat, rainbows and browns on any outing.

Nearest Airport:

Missoula International Airport (MSO)

Hatches:

BWOs: On Point BWO, Purple Haze, BWO Cripple #18-20 March Browns: Parachute PT, Brindlechute, March Brown Cripple #12-14 Grey Drake: Film Critic, Flash Cripple, Carnage Drake Mothers Day Caddis: Elk Hair Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis, X-Caddis #12-14

Best Time to Fish:

Early afternoon to evening.

Best Stretch:

Most of the river is looking good. Keep an eye out for potential jams and portages.

Best Access:

Multiple fishing access sites throughout the river.