Winter Fly Fishing Report-Rock Creek and some other stuff... 01/23/2026

 

01/23/2026                                            www.flyfishmissoula.com

 Missoula Fly Fishing Report — What’s Happening Now (Winter → Early Spring)

As of late January 2026, fly fishing in the Missoula, Montana area is in its off-peak winter mode, but not dead — especially for anglers who enjoy nymphing and streamer fishing in cold conditions. Here’s the breakdown of what’s going on across the local waters:

❄️ Winter Conditions on Missoula Rivers

• Rock Creek is presently quieter than in peak season, with activity primarily from subsurface techniques (nymphs, small streamers) rather than surface feeding. Dry fly action is very limited at this time. 

• Winter has “settled in” on Rock Creek — meaning trout are slower and require deeper, strategic presentations such as dead-drifted nymphs or slow-swinging streamers. 

• Fish tend to be most active between late morning and late afternoon on warmer days; early morning can be very slow because water temps remain low. Look for the slow water on the insides.

• Across other local rivers like the Clark Fork, Bitterroot, and Blackfoot, similar winter patterns prevail: look for deep nymphing and streamer work in slower water and deep pools rather than dry fly action. 

 Rock Creek Fly Fishing Report — Current Winter 2026 Conditions

What’s Happening on Rock Creek Right Now

Rock Creek fly fishing report right now reflects low overall action, but consistent subsurface bites:

• Fishing isn’t “dead,” but it’s slow. Really slow.

• Nymphs: Patterns like stonefly nymphs (e.g., DB Stone, Front St Stone, TJ Hooker), SJ worms, and smaller mayfly or midge nymphs are working best right now.

• Streamers Produce: Dead-drifting or slowly swinging natural-colored streamers (e.g., Goldies, Overcoats, Dungeons) can generate strikes. Fish are not aggressive this time of year, so slow it down!

• Best Time of Day: Mid-to-late morning through mid-afternoon gives the warmest water windows and often the most bites.

  Focus on the bottom end of the creek. Another few weeks and there will be a few rainbows beginning to nose up the creek.

Most anglers focus on nymphing deep runs, pools, and slower water seams, often fishing indicators or very light presentations to match winter feeding behavior.

A good bet is to stop in and see John at the Mercantile!  He'll get you pointed in the right direction.

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

 Missoula, Montana Fly Fishing Report 2/7/2023

2/72024 

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

2/14/2023-Missoula, Montana Fly Fishing Report

 April is a great time for fly fishing in the Missoula, Montana area, particularly on the Bitterroot River, Clark Fork River, and Missouri River.

The Bitterroot River is known for its early season fishing in April, as the river is typically in great shape and the Skwala stonefly hatch can begin in late March. The Skwala hatch is an exciting time for fly fishers, as it brings hungry trout to the surface, providing great dry fly action. In addition to Skwala stoneflies, Blue Winged Olives, midges and nemoura stoneflies can also be found in the river during April. This is one of our favorite times to float the Bitterroot not only for the beauty of the spring, but for the opportunities that are available to the dry fly angler.

The Clark Fork River can also be a great option for fly fishing in April, as it is the largest river in Montana and has a wide range of hatches. April brings a variety of hatches to the Clark Fork, including Skwala stoneflies, March Browns, and Blue Winged Olives. The river is known for its large trout, making it a popular destination for experienced anglers. Typically we tend to see fewer crowded days here, with some exceptional results.

In addition to the Bitterroot and Clark Fork rivers, the Missouri River can also be a great destination for fly fishing in April. This river is known for its large population of rainbow and brown trout, and its diverse hatches make it a popular destination for fly fishers throughout the year. The tailgater effect makes the Mo' a good bet for dries and for nymphing, which we will begrudgingly do when necessary. As always, a pink $4 bobber is our top choice for success.

Overall, April can be an excellent time for fly fishing in the Missoula, Montana area, particularly on the Bitterroot River and Clark Fork River. Anglers can expect a variety of hatches, a variety of conditions and techniques and good success.

The spring fly fishing season is right around the corner and I can say that we are looking forward to getting on the water soon!

Current conditions:

Clark Fork River- it's been so icy near Missoula, with most of the accesses/ramps locked up behind walls of ice. I suspect that it is a bit better the further downriver you go. Try the usual stuff: worms, zebras, and some smaller stonefly nymphs.

Bitterroot River- It is only a matter of time until someone prematurely sees a "Skwala". As for now, look to the slow water and fish the winter water. It'd be great if these poor fish just had a nice long break from being bombarded with pink bobbers, but there seems to a few cats who just insist on suffering through a day to catch a trout.

Missouri River- You can head to the damn dam and row around with some pink or gray fuzz tied to your line. The fish are there, but are they hungry? Probably. Find the slow winter water and you'll catch a fish. Bring some good Canadian whiskey and a diminished I.Q. You're gonna need both.

Predator

www.flyfishmissoula.com

Montana Fly Fishing Report/Snowpack 2/15/22

www.flyfishmissoula.com

 The springtime sharks are circling. 

FISHING REPORT

The Bitterroot River and Clark Fork River are both passable.  It looks like the big ice-jams have broken up and the water looks great, albeit a bit low. There has been some fishing on lower Rock Creek, too. The Blackfoot River was still frozen across in a few spots as of Saturday. If you go this week try the usual zebra type midges, small p.t s, SJ worm. I'm surprised that some misguided soul hasn't posted a picture of a "skwala".  Remember kids: a nemora is not a skwala.

The Missouri River has been fishing with the usual pink stuff and midges.

MONTANA SNOWPACK

Barring a bizarre heat-wave like last June, it looks like we'll have a little snow to supplement flows. The weather has been mild, but there is a significant cold snap headed our way.  Hopefully there will be some measurable snow associated with it. 

Here's what we look like now:

Make of it what you will.

I am thinking I will pull the boat out of the garage this Friday- maybe take her for a quick spin. It's probably getting to be that time.

Montana Fly Fishing News and General Ranting-Symptoms Related to Omicabin Fever. 2/1/22

www.flyfishmissoula.com

 

This doesn't happen in Hawaii.

Disclaimer: There will be very little continuity and flow to this blog post.

FISHING STUFF
I did see a great fly fishing post from a guide pal over on the Missouri River.  He had some big smiles from his anglers who were holding some fine looking trout. I would bet that anything pink or zebra-midgey would get the job done over there. As usual, look for the SLOW winter water.  The same holds true for the other area rivers. There is some open water on the Clark Fork and Bitterroot, but I'd bet that the Blackfoot and Rock Creek are locked up tight. P.T.s, midges and San Juans will take a few fish, but the only thing that could be more dreadful than nymphing in warm weather is nymphing in cold weather. If you want to watch a bobber, go drill a hole in the ice and stare at it until it goes down. 

COOL BOATS
I had a great conversation with an outfitter buddy about boats.  We both found ourselves in brand-spankin' new Boulder skiffs last season.  This followed several seasons rowing boats that I would describe as "iron-ore freighter-esque". Thankfully, Boulder Boat Works began manufacturing a skiff that is as rowable and durable as their famed low-pro drift boat. I'm always excited to get back at it, but the pain and discomfort associated with my previous battle-barge left me feeling nervous about whatever long term damage I might be inflicting upon myself.  This is the first year in a few that I'm excited to jump back in a boat.  In fact, I'm so happy about the Boulder Skiff that I sat in it last night and imagined all of the flawlessly accurate casts I would be witnessing this season. That's not really true; I just cleaned out some of the tippet, leaves and broken dreams from last season. So, if you want a drift boat give Boulder Boat Works a good look. www.boulderboatworks.com

SNOWPACK
The snowpack looks about right to support a good water year.  Although it has been fairly dry for the last couple of weeks, our heaviest snows typically occur in February and March. 

You may remember that we had a slightly above-average snowpack last year, but triple-digit temps took care of it in short order.  It would just be great to have a normal, average, easy summer without inner-toober dingbats and forest fire smoke.  It's still a toss-up as to which one I dislike more.  I'm leaning toward the toober goober ding-dongs.  When will Ace Hardware and Tire-rama be forced to obtain outfitting licenses? To my untrained eye, it certainly seems like they're outfitting the public and putting more pressure on the resource. I could go on about this for awhile. We should all be marching in the streets!

RODS
As many of you know, I've been a Sage fly rod fan for a long time. I love 'em! But faced with a last minute trip to Belize I didn't have time to secure a decent 9 weight rod. I had a few broken rods around, but there simply wasn't time to get one ordered and delivered.  Oh yeah, and there were very few available because nobody went to work for the last 2 years. Anyway, I called the gang at the Kingfisher and they had a couple of options that they were willing to sell me.  I ran down to the shop and fiddled around with a Sage. Then I grabbed the TFO Mangrove. It felt more balanced and more responsive than the Sage. So I bought that TFO; the first TFO I had purchased in 20 years. I must say that it was a great rod for the bones and jacks. I suspect that that rod in a 6 would be a killer streamer rod. If you're in the market for a good salt rod that doesn't break the bank,  this might be a good option.

I think that's it for now. Spring is just around the next couple of corners. It's snowing right now! 

-Predator

Droppers are for perverts-Yep!

Yep, this sums it up. Is the future of Montana fly fishing deciding which jig/nymph/ass to tie on? Look, I've went to one of the fabled rivers this past week. Not only did I get a ration of flat-brimmed, millennial guide, lazy gettin'-paid horseshoe at the ramp, but I thoroughly enjoyed the rising trout (and there were a bunch) in just about every corner that you could imagine. So my question is when did nymphing become the default for all of the new crop of guides? Shop owners should be embarrassed, and the guides should wonder if this is all that there is. True enough that many of these pups never knew anything else, but for Pete's sake read a Haig-Brown book. The customer learns nothing about fly fishing, dry fly presentation or the ethics of the sport. I guess it probably goes back to the short-cut, immediate nature of our lives lately. Now anyone can be a "fly fisher". Now anyone can "get into fishing". Shit man, you could be a guide if you have enough coin!

I remember a time when nymphing was dirty, akin to watching midget porn or using powerbait. Midget porn really isn't that bad.

I talked with a prominent fly shop owner today and he explained that his shop would be limiting their guided trips to 6 per day. That's pretty dang cool. He had a bunch of reasons for the decision, but it all boiled down to a better experience for the guest, the health of the rivers and a commendable sense of preservation. His kids need as good of an experience as we all had. The let's "make all we can while we can" mentality is near-sighted and pretty pathetic. So, check yourselves; try to see a bigger picture. Wouldn't it be nice to present to the public a brighter and sustainable face of commercial use? It does seem that the ones complaining about over-crowding and boat traffic seem to be profiteering off of our best resources. It must be hard to sleep each night on pillows filled with hypocrisy. Maybe not. But, it should be. 

Best of luck to the nymphers this season. We will be praying for your souls. 

-Predator

 

Missoula, Montana fly fishing report 2/1/20

   

Ok Pilgirms, let's all be clear right off of the bat; Skwalapalooza just sounds ridiculous. Hipster-anglers are just as silly  in the same way that I hope there are manicured dudes in rainbow suspenders, rollerblading around the strip-mall this weekend, looking to trade flyrods for My Little Pony  temporary tattoos.  Oh, skinny jeans and shorn beards don't help either. Just sayin'... What makes it worse is that there isn't a chance in Hell that someone can, or will, launch a drift boat in western Montana anytime soon. Whatever- let's just get some folks through the door and maybe we'll sell a Pat's and a Chubby. Fair enough. Best of luck. And...gay doesn't have to be mean, or spiteful and full of fear. Who doesn't love Matthew McConaughey?  But, let's all calm down on the "Fests". If I have a "fest", I'm headed to Walgreens for some sort of insecticide. That could suck!
   Missoula, Montana suffered through a fair bit of snow this week-HAHAHA!!! What in the wide, wide world of sports is going on around here? My flaky snowplow guy got stuck in the driveway; I kinda thought these cats like snow. Whatever the case, the February snow Gods have thought us unworthy and they are punishing us. I talked to one guy in the bitterroot valley today and he said that he had at least 40" of snow in his yard. FORTY. Other places have vastly different amounts. That right there is true local knowledge. Whatever- there's a bunch of snow and if you think you're fishing anywhere besides the Missouri, best of luck. I think we're at least 3 weeks out, and that is naively hopeful. But, if you want to help shovel a parking lot, totally show up for the SkwalaPalooza thingy. They'll have hot cider and SJW tying demos.

Missoula fly fishing was brimming with flat-brims attending the film fly fishing tour deal-i-o. It would be a dis-service to capitalize that. I have to give huge thanks to Taylor at the Missoulian Angler  (not a bad place to buy a few flies) for putting together a nice night at his shop. Man, he had it all! Food, beer and plenty of experts. But seriously,  it was good to connect with a few folks this winter; we get pretty locked into the gray skies and ice-fishing .But, the tales of chasing worms and turds seemed to be non-stop. Oh, the poor Bitterroot...Who would've imagined that we could crowd the parking lot at Bell Crossing? Give 'em a break, eh? Take a gymnastics lesson!
   There were a few folks that didn't make it to the Angler, which is good because I had an earful for  the "guides" that were there. Dang.

So, you want the sweet report?  Here it is, pilgrims:
-Clark Fork River
The water is cold as hell; it's winter. The zebra midge isn't bad. The worm will work, too. This week brings lower temps and not many adult midges. Go find a good inside, and nymph the living hell out of it. Instagram the pic of the fatigued fish struggling to survive. If you go the da crick, try the worm and maybe a smaller prince.  Then, go home and wonder why you even bothered. Six weeks and you can go "rip lips". Settle down- you are awesome.

-Missouri River
It's so sweet! Someone tonight said that the "ripped" them at the dam. That could be a good place to start. I would suggest that the water from the dam to stickney would be solid, at least in the slower stuff. Try a Z.M and a amex. The czech in smaller sizes could be good, too. If you want to pull a streamer maybe go small and dark. And slow. You can try to find a pod of midgers, so give that a shot. For heck's sake, its winter. Go dry out your moldy life jackets and learn a reach cast!

Where else do you want to fish?

-Blackfoot River
Bring an auger and a good supply of SJ worms. I know you all have them. God, help fly fishing. Please, oh, please. Look man, it's winter. If you can't figure out where to put the bobber on your leader, neither can I. I'm sure it'll work out.
For Pete's sake, don't be such a clown- Buy a book, find some natural instinct. Ok, try a prince or a worm or a schnugget. All in 14, 16.
Please post photos of your latest conquests. That's what keeps us all going during these gray winter months.

Missoula fly fishing and the horse it rode in on. Or, gone round the bend.

   Missoula Montana fly fishing could be good or bad right now. It's been too damn cold to tell. I did take a quick walk along the Clark Fork with the new dog yesterday and saw oodles of midges on the bank. I still wasn't inspired or hopeful. Go lace up those wading boots and let me know how it shakes out. I heard it was really great between Hamilton and Missoula on the Bitterroot, and there were no toobers. I'll be home with my slippers on next to a fire with a Lab curled up at my feet. 

   So, Ive had enough of this winter. I know I complain every February about how long winter gets, but good Lord! Bipedal mammals aren't meant for this sort of agony, unless you're an Eskimo happily waiting next to a narwhals only breathing hole.  I guess that could be deeply satisfying. I'd never post pictures on Instagram with my bloodied and lifeless narwhal, but I'd certainly tell all of my Eskimo pals down at the Igloo Saloon. They tend to be a jovial bunch. 

   So how about some of the usual b.s.? Snowpack looks about right. It was a touch low, but after the last two weeks we're good. The streamflows on the flowing streams looks about right. On the un-flowing streams it looks like it might be challenging.  

   Our guide "community" lost two really great humans this year. I'm not talking about guys who went out and got "real" jobs- anyone can do that. I'm talking about two men that made the world a better place to wake up to. Patch Godown and Curt McChesney both passed in the last two months, both way too soon.  Curt was the kind of guy who'd take the time for a conversation about whatever, help you load a boat at the ramp and would always greet you with a big smile. He was a tremendous guy. Shit, he taught me about chickens and how a dozen eggs were way cheaper at the store. I have a six chickens now thanks to Curt.  Patch was hilarious and always made you laugh. He was sensible, courteous, provocative and genuine. Let's leave it at that. My thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones. God bless both of these guys.  Google both of them. They meant so much to so many people. Don't forget them. 

   

The BEST day of 2018!

Please Patagonia, please make a boot foot wader!-Missoula, Montana fly fishing news

   The fly fishing season is just about to get cranked up here in Missoula, Montana.  I have spent a long winter in my pathetically messy and stinky fly-tying room, often looking longingly at my collection of broken gear. It seems I never have the time or memory to send broken rods or leaky waders back to the manufacturers for replacement. I mean, I never get to use this stuff anymore, anyway.  But alas,  last spring I did send a pair of Simms G3 boot foots back to Simms HQ and so began a long, long wait. After some time, I inquired as to the status of my waders and if the defectiveness would be cause for replacement.  If I sold my waders for that much coin, I too would be reluctant to warranty a defective product. But with some cajoling, Simms agreed to replace my waders! That, in and of itself, was a monumental victory.
   Wader season came and went. Then in August ( when you really don't need waders), I called Simms  and was told that it would be late September before my waders would be available. In my mind it was at least getting cold enough to wear waders, not that I received my replacements from Simms in September. In the interim, I had ordered a pair of Orvis Encounters with the attached boot. I gotta say that the entire Orvis experience was a good one. I wouldn't hesitate to buy their waders, ever.  In mid-October Simms shipped me a pair of waders, nearly 7 months after I had initially sent them my DEFECTIVE G3s. Now I don't know how you all feel about customer service, but this experience and process sure was one one poor example. My saga with Simms isn't unique, however.  Listen, if you're going to sell $800 dollar waders you should probably take care of the folks that buy them.
   So, Patagonia fly fishing product development people, PLEASE make a boot foot wader. Orvis too, make your Silver Sonics with a boot foot. We would all buy a pair from you guys vs. the "other guys".
   Remember this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2XvxDaIwCw
"Do you validate?" Epic.
Thank me later.

Predator
www.flyfishmissoula.com

Missoula Montana Fly Fishing Report- 37 Shades of Gray

Late-winter on the Missouri River

This is the Missoula, Montana fly fishing report for the past week:

Rock Creek- Its the usual lower creek drill right now; worms, p.t., pat's in smaller sizes. Try an over-sized larva lace midge, too. Red and reddish-brown in size 14 can be killer this time of year.  The water looks great, and the word is that there is some fishing to be had.  The road is pretty brutal, so stay down low and be safe. You might find some midging fish. You might not. Look to the big, slow insides for the most cooperative fish.

Clark Fork-Its big and off-color. The best bet is go find a  nicely defined inside and show them a worm, prince, big zebra, pat's.  You get the drift-fish the transition and hook a trout.  In this water color, I'd be relying heavily on the red SJ. Bobber color doesn't seem to matter too much.

Small, slight black and brown buggers fished in the big swirls might get bit.

Bitterroot- It's been on a heavy rise, what with the rain and snowmelt combined. I'd say it's a good place to not go this week. Todays stream flow data looks like it has turned the corner, barely. Wait a few more days.

Missouri River- The flows are great for some early fishing. Pink amex in 14,16, 18, rainbow czech in 14,16, zebra in 18. %-6.5' rig in the slow stuff will get it done.  Also try slender, small olive bugger. They do like the thin-mint this time of year, too.  A zebra dropper 2 feet under a dry will work on the margins. 

   As for me, I'm getting my WYR Montana 406 Trout PBR oufit dry-cleaned so that I may make a proper appearance at the masturbatory fly fishing film tour. It's sure to be a great time, much like my last trip to the proctologist. Flat-brims unite!

Skol!

www.flyfishmissoula.com

Ooooh, so wintery.

Well, we've been waiting and wiring and waiting for this weather to break. It snowed again last night and it all seems so endless.
Here's a snowpack update: WOW! Snowpack S/W equivalency


and here are streamflows:

:
laughable.

So, the best we can hope for is a quick, warm early-March spring and blow all of this low-level snow out. That, or we face another crappity-crap skwala event like last spring.

If I wanted to fish this week, I would go to upper Rock Creek, Warm Springs or the Missouri. I would bet that the same flies that you would use in January will work in February, and March.
One more thing.. where are the good waders?    The fly fishing season is just about to get cranked up here in Missoula, Montana.  I have spent a long winter in my pathetically messy and stinky fly-tying room, often looking longingly at my collection of broken gear. It seems I never have the time or memory to send broken rods or leaky waders back to the manufacturers for replacement. I mean, I never get to use this stuff anymore, anyway.  But alas,  last spring I did send a pair of Simms G3 boot foots back to Simms HQ and so began a long, long wait. After some time, I inquired as to the status of my waders and if the defectiveness would be cause for replacement.  If I sold my waders for that much coin, I too would be reluctant to warranty a defective product. But with some cajoling, Simms agreed to replace my waders! That, in and of itself, was a monumental victory.
   Wader season came and went. Then in August ( when you really don't need waders), I called Simms  and was told that it would be late September before my waders would be available. In my mind it was at least getting cold enough to wear waders, not that I received my replacements from Simms in September. In the interim, I had ordered a pair of Orvis Encounters with the attached boot. I gotta say that the entire Orvis experience was a good one. I wouldn't hesitate to buy their waders, ever.  In mid-October Simms shipped me a pair of waders, nearly 7 months after I had initially sent them my DEFECTIVE G3s. Now I don't know how you all feel about customer service, but this experience and process sure was one one poor example. My saga with Simms isn't unique, however.  Listen, if you're going to sell $800 dollar waders you should probably take care of the folks that buy them.
   So, Patagonia fly fishing product development people, PLEASE make a boot foot wader. Orvis too, make your Silver Sonics with a boot foot. We would all buy a pair from you guys vs. the "other guys".
   Remember this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S2XvxDaIwCw
"Do you validate?" Epic.
Thank me later.

Predator

Missoula Montana Fly Fishing News 12/18/17

While over on the Missouri River last week, I saw several pods of rising trout. Even now, the weather forecast on the Mo'  looks to be warmer than average and the fishing should be pretty good.

In the Missoula area, cold air has settled in the valleys rendering fly fishing impractical and futile.

Dumb. 

I just took a look at snowpack numbers from around Montana; just out of curiosity, time-wasting and boredom. There's definitely some snow in the high country, but there isn't much at lower elevations. Yeah, yeah, it's way too early to make any real predictions but I was bored, and my computer was on. Most guides would have been searching something more more deviant and perverse. But not me.

Montana Fly Fishing Report- 8/15/17

There is some good fishing to be had around the state of Montana. Yes, there are some major fires burning and there are some hoot-owl restrictions in place,  but the fishing is good and the crowds are gone. Also, the weather has been cool enough that the hoards of inner-tubers have dissipated.  It is likely that they are home patching their tubes in preparation for next summer. I still contend that the daily inner-tuber is among the lowest life-forms on the planet. So there.

Blackfoot RAINBOW!

BLACKFOOT RIVER-

Its been good up there!  We're still playing around with terrestrials in the afternoons.  Tricos have been getting stronger each day and the moths are all but gone.  Look to bigger dries (nocturnal stones are out) in the morning, and then move on to hoppers/ants/beetles.  The size 12 and 14 p.t. is a good bet for a dropper. The water is low, but cold.

CLARK FORK RIVER-

We've been running boats on the lower river. The Superior area is brutally smoky, so go elsewhere. Foam in purple and pink has been good. The 12 prince will help out in the afternoons. The water is warm so plan to revive a few fish. Ants and hoppers, along with the purple haze, are good bets.  Play the outer foam lines.

YELLOWSTONE RIVER-

We've been down on the lower river a bit this month. Slender black buggers fished deep will get fish in the a.m. and the hopper will get it done in the afternoons.  There are plenty of stone shucks at the water line so bring your foam stones.  We found that the twitch has been key to getting fish up. Look to the heavy insides and the messy outer seams. There hasn't been a reason to tie on a nymph!

MISSOURI RIVER-

Its a bit weedy. Thats nothing new.  If your a nymph dork, then the dam is the place to go. Lower on the river you can toss smaller hoppers and ants, after you mess around with the morning tricos. The hopper bite has been spotty, but it will continue to improve over the next four weeks. Fishing a dropper isn't futile, but it will prove frustrating with the weeds.

www.flyfishmissoula.com

Montana Snowpack update, Missoula, Montana 3/8/17

The fly fishing rivers of Montana should be in good shape this year, as there is ample snow in the high country and more falling each day. Yes, we're all sick and tired of gray and drizzle and cold. Yes, we're all ready to jump back in the boats and poke around on the Bitterroot, looking for a few risers willing to smash a dry. But for now, we'll hang tight and watch the final death throes of what has been a LONG winter.

So here it is:
Current Montana snowpack:
https://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/data/water/wcs/gis/maps/mt_swepctnormal_update.pdf

Current Montana stream flows:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow

Precipitation outlook 2017 (from NOAA)

"Forecast confidence is moderate for eastern Oregon and western Montana. 



Long-term drought continues across the high Plains of eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota. A slight tilt the odds for above-median precipitation is forecast for this region from March through May. 30 to 40 percent of annual precipitation typically occurs during this three month period. Based on these factors, drought removal is forecast."

So it all looks fairly good for the upcoming season. So there. Now go nymph.

www.flyfishmissoula.com

Missoula, Montana Fly Fishing Report 3/6/17

DON"T YOU EAT THAT YELLOW SNOW!

CLARK FORK RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
   It's still a bit dirty from the rain this weekend. The upper Clark is looking better as far as water quality, but as the ice walls melt they will sling tons of COLD water into the system.  It’s still winter in much of the western half of Montana.  Go nymph in front of the Double Tree- it's the best "locals only" spot in the valley. Try San Juans, Eggs, Double Bead Stones, Rubberlegs and Princes. I heard from several local anglers that the #12 Pillow-Biter was far and away the best bet. Fish aren’t moving far to chase a streamer at this point.

MISSOURI RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
   The fishing is good on the Missouri River right now. You should be able to get it done throughout the entire system, so don't feel like you have to go row around in circles at the dam. Work the slow stuff with the good old amex, pillow-biters, rainbow czechs, clown-pounders, black zebras and maybe even some hot-beads.  You can always fish the margins with a dry/dropper and pick off some nice fish. You can pull smaller streamers slow and low and get a few whacks. Think small and brown/olive/black.

ROCK CREEK FLY FISHING REPORT
   Do you want to build a snowman?  The Creek is fishing well at this time, but it’s definitely still winter. There will be some nice rainbows beginning to head up for the spring spawn.  Double nymph rigs are still the way to go with San Juans, Double Bead Stones, PT’s,  Russin River stones,and Princes all getting eaten.  Deep swinging streamers below the riffles will get you into a few nice fish.  Black or Brown buggers are great colors this time of year for streamers. Just watch out for ice shelves giving way when you're walking around. 

BITTERROOT RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
   It’s still winter in western Montana.  Skwalas aren't out. As long as you see flat-brims with bandaged knuckles, you can rest assured that the snowboarding is better than the fishing.  
   We’ve seen a few nymph’s under the rocks, but you won't see an adult until things warm up.   It’s all about nymphing right now and getting your bugs down and into the right water.  S.J.Ws and Rubberlegs will make you feel like a real angler, whilst remembering that the best Thingamabobber color is pink. Always use pink!  Keep your bugs slow and low. We also really like a black zebra and a red Larva-lace midge, as you will likely see oodles of midges on the nice days.  Capnia and Nemoura will probably begin to show up soon.  It can't hurt to have a few bugs in your bugs that imitate these early stones. 

BLACKFOOT RIVER FLY FISHING REPORT
It's the same story on the Blackfoot River- cold, and wintery. Look to the winter water to find the bulk of the fish. It's the same recipe as the other rivers. 

The fly fishing rivers of Montana should be in good shape this year, as there is ample snow in the high country and more falling each day. Yes, we're all sick and tired of gray and drizzle and cold. Yes, we're all ready to jump back in the boats and poke around on the Bitterroot, looking for a few risers willing to smash a dry. But for now, we'll hang tight and watch the final death throes of what has been a LONG winter.

So here it is:
Current Montana snowpack:
https://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/data/water/wcs/gis/maps/mt_swepctnormal_update.pdf

Current Montana stream flows:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=flow

Precipitation outlook 2017 (from NOAA)

"Forecast confidence is moderate for eastern Oregon and western Montana. 



Long-term drought continues across the high Plains of eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota. A slight tilt the odds for above-median precipitation is forecast for this region from March through May. 30 to 40 percent of annual precipitation typically occurs during this three month period. Based on these factors, drought removal is forecast."

So, it all looks fairly good for the upcoming season. So there. Now go nymph.

www.flyfishmissoula.com