Fishing Season: Year Round Below Star Falls(catch and release Dec 1 - 3rd Saturday in May)

East Fork Bitterroot River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

54

Jim Mitchell's Tip of the Week

Drys with droppers is best to save some bugs. Nymphing is good, with rubber legs, perdigons, lightning bugs, pheasant tails, and worms. Streamers are producing the bright ones, which seem to be the best

Directions open in app

Map of East Fork Bitterroot River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Bitterroot Fly Company
Triple Creek Ranch

5-Day Outlook as of 6/9/25

Water is dropping fast

Techniques & Tips as of 6/9/25

Nymphing, Streamer, or Dry Dropper. When the hatches come off a single dry tight to the bank

Local Species Available Year Round Below Star Falls(catch and release Dec 1 - 3rd Saturday in May)

  • Fish Icon

    Cutthroat

  • Fish Icon

    Rainbow

  • Fish Icon

    Brown

  • Fish Icon

    Brook & Bull Trout

  • Fish Icon

    Mountain White Fish

Jim Mitchell's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Tunghead Hot Spot Pheasant Tail Jig Yellow/Orange 14-18
Bead Head Prince Peacock 12-14
Adams Purple 12/20
Adam's Purple Parachute Tan 14/16
Chubby Purple 10/14
La Fontaine Sparkle Pupa Tan Brn 14/16
Double Bunny Olive/White 6/2
Quigley Cripple PT 16,14,12

Tunghead Hot Spot Pheasant Tail Jig

A barbless jig-style hook makes this pattern ride hook up, providing a snag-free drift.

2.99

Item #3R7G

Buy Now

Jim Mitchell's Recommended Gear

Description: About East Fork Bitterroot River

The East Fork of the Bitterroot is one of the most beautiful and easily accessed streams in southwestern Montana. It begins on the Continental Divide deep in the Bitterroot National Forest. This freestone is made up of riffles, runs, boulders, and deep pools that hold 8- to 18-inch trout. The East Fork of the Bitterroot River has great fly fishing. As fishing pressure is generally quite low, the trout rise readily to dry flies. The river is quite narrow for most of its length; casting to most spots of the river is quite easy, making it an excellent choice for Tenkara fly fishing. With fast currents and large rocks in the river wading can be a challenge when the flows are up. When the flows are low the water is easy to wade, but most of it can be reached from the banks. Approach carefully: The water is clear, and the fish spook easily. For most of the year the flows on the East Fork of the Bitterroot are too low for floating.

Nearest Airport:

Missoula, MT (MSO)

Hatches:

Salmon Flies, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallys, Caddis, and Midges

Best Time to Fish:

any

Best Stretch:

All

Best Access:

All