Fly Fishing Report for Missoula, Montana-Montana Snowpack-Missoula Fly Fishing News 2/1/2024

 Missoula, Montana Fly Fishing Report 2/7/2023

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Well, this has been a strange winter. Without a few major winter storms to bolster our snowpack, we might be looking at some dry conditions in differs parts of Montana. As of right now, the Missoula area rivers are slowly becoming ice-free, but they're far from fishable.  That said, spring fly fishing is likely to be very good as soon as a few bugs begin making an appearance. 

I had a Quick Look at Rock Creek yesterday and it is fishable, but be careful- the ice ledges are treacherous, but the fishing is good. Red and pink worms, zebras in black #16/18 and smaller buggers should do the trick. 

The Missouri River is in good shape and the fishing is quite good. Small pink stuff or a zebra midge in the slowest water will turn some very nice fish. 

The Blackfoot River is locked up and very icy. 

The Bitterroot is fishing ok on worms and smaller nymphs. Slow stripping small bugger will also get the job done. 

On the Clark Fork River I did see a fella wade fishing right next to the Reserve St. bridge. To each his own.

www.flyfishmissoula.com

Missoula, Montana Fly Fishing Report- 3/8/23 Better than the last one!

  

 That's one of Missoula's newest guides eating a prune and trying to figure out how to catch one of those fish in front of him. 

             

• Let's get into this here Missoula fly fishing report! Then we can poke a little fun at a few of the ridiculous things that drive me nuts about this scene. Ok, it might be a bit more vicious than usual, but it has been a long winter. Remember The Shining? Nicholson's character was a bit wound up. Fun Fact: he was a dry fly only kind of guy. The nymphing drove him mad. "Pink bobber, white bobber, redrum bobber!!!"
• Rock Creek: It's cold and there is plenty of ice to navigate.  That said, you might find a few fish willing to eat a red San Juan or small prince nymph. Look to the slower deep water and just stay with it. The red larva lace midge in 16 is a good play, too. Stop by the Merc for some local intel.  They have winter hours, but they will have a few flies that work. 
• Bitterroot River: There have been a few boats full of eager, flat-brimmed beavers rowing around. The best bet is to fish a small SJ worm about 4 feet down. This is also the time where you swing small streamers in the slower, deeper flats and catch a good fish. Try black and yellow, but small. I think that the skwalas will be a bit later then usual, which is good for the trout and good for me. 
• Clark Fork River: Ice shelves above Missoula have rendered most ramps unusable. Midging fish can be had in a few spots, but it does feel like the dry fly fishing is a long way off. I'm sure that a few corporate re-load retirees will be trying it down by St. Regis. As always, it's much better if they just stay west of Montana. But they're always good for a laugh! Have you ever watched a Washingtonian try to back down a boat ramp? I highly recommend a good IPA and an arsenal of insults. Bring a lunch too; it could take a while.
• Missouri River: It's cold and cold over there. You can head to the damn dam and nymph, but only if your soul is black and you expect an eternity in Hell. If that's your jam, then try small Czechs, 18 tungsten zebras and 16 amex. The flows are very low and you won't need much more than 6' total on your rig. The good news is that there is snow everywhere in Montana (almost) so there could be some better summer flows over there. The other Mo' game is to run a dry (small chubby, foamy or whatever) to a 30" zebra dropper. Hunt the slower water and you'll find a few. 

Now let's move on to more important matters- stickers. What's the deal with all of this sticker hyped-up nonsense? I buy a reel, I get a sticker. I buy a fly bag, I get a sticker. I buy a sticker, and I get a sticker. I'm not alone in this thought, but the more stickers stuck to your truck, cooler and your dog's ass doesn't mean that there is more knowledge to back it up. I like stickers that remind me not to drink the bleach under the counter, when to change my oil and so on. So, can we agree that more stickers stuck on anything sticky has reached a point of absurdity? Please Sage, charge me less for a rod because you aren't including a sticker! Orvis' sticker budget has to be like 3 billion a year! Pass that savings on to the loyal customer! And, I just don't know how these flat-brimmed, green-horn YouTube guides can see over the dash of their new Tundra because all of the stickers are obscuring their view. Really, it is a safety issue. Lastly, if you put 987 stickers on a Yeti cooler, it will add about 50 pounds to a 300 pound cooler.

E

www.flyfishmissoula.com 

Missoula Montana Fly Fishing Report- The story of the Salmonfly on Rock Creek 2/20/23

 Rock Creek is a 50-mile-long tributary of the Clark Fork River located near Missoula, Montana. It is known for its excellent fly fishing opportunities, including the annual salmon fly hatch. Other great hatches include the green drakes, spruce moths and golden stonefly.

The salmon fly hatch on Rock Creek typically occurs in late May to early June, and it is a highly anticipated event for fly fishermen in the area. During the hatch, the river becomes filled with adult salmonflies, which are large, winged insects that are highly prized by trout as a food source. Anglers use large, dry flies that imitate the salmonfly to entice the fish to strike.

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A brief summary of the life cycle of the salmon fly (pteronarcys californica):

Pteronarcys californica, also known as the giant salmonfly, is a species of insect that belongs to the order Plecoptera. This species is found in streams and rivers throughout western North America and has a unique life cycle that is adapted to its aquatic habitat.

The life cycle of Pteronarcys californica can be divided into three main stages: the egg stage, the larval stage, and the adult stage.

Egg Stage: The life cycle begins when adult giant salmonflies mate and lay their eggs on the bottom of streams or rivers. The eggs are usually laid in clusters and can take up to two months to hatch, depending on water temperature.

Larval Stage: The larvae of Pteronarcys californica are aquatic and spend most of their time on the bottom of streams and rivers. The larvae have a flattened, oval-shaped body and are covered with long hairs. They have six legs and two antennae, which they use to detect food and other environmental cues.

The larval stage of Pteronarcys californica can last for up to three years, depending on the temperature and quality of the water. During this stage, the larvae molt several times and grow larger. They feed on algae, aquatic plants, and other small organisms found on the bottom of streams and rivers. They can be quite ferocious when it comes to eating other nymphs.

Adult Stage: Once the larvae reach maturity, they leave the water and emerge as winged adults. This process occurs at night and generally takes an hour or more. The adult giant salmonflies have a distinctive appearance, with long, orange/brown bodies and wings that can measure up to three inches in length.

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The adult stage of Pteronarcys californica lasts for only a few weeks, during which time the insects mate and lay their eggs. The adult giant salmonflies do not feed during this stage and usually die soon after mating. The good news about Rock Creek is that it has a number of other hatches that overlap the salmon fly hatch, providing excellent fly fishing even after the fish have stopped eating the salmon flies.

The salmon fly hatch on Rock Creek is one of the most important hatches of the year, and it draws anglers from all over the U.S. Because of proper permitting, crowding is rarely an issue. That said, it is still important to be courteous and respectful of other anglers (espaecially the wade anglers).

Overall, Rock Creek is a beautiful and productive fishery that is highly valued by anglers in the Missoula area and beyond. The annual salmon fly hatch is a highlight of the fishing season and a must-see event for anyone who loves fly fishing in Montana. Our schedule is full for the 2023 calendar year, but contact us for 2024 dates. This is a must-do float for anglers of any skill level.

-Predator

www.flyfishmissoula.com