Our fishing reports are brought to you straight from the river to give you the latest info regardinghatches, patterns, and tactics. As always, call the shop for current information. 1-800-297-8996

Fishing Report for 7/2/2009

  Clark Fork

• General:  2110cfs @ Turah, 8610 cfs @ Missoula, 11400 cfs @ St. Regis.  The Clark is on the Drop.  Down around Superior will continue to be your best fishing.  Try golden stones with a dropper.  Going underneath with basic bead head nymph patterns or the worm will produce some fish but your going to have to work for them.  Long dead drifts are going to be the best way to hook fish.  Streamers like buggers, JJ specials, yuk bugs and sculpins or tandem nymph rigs with stonefly nymphs, princes, worms, flashy PTs, or eggs fished deep under an indicator.
• Hatches: Golden Stones, Green Drakes, Caddis
• Fly Patterns:Stonefly nymphs like rubberlegs and double-bead stones, big princes, san juan worms, copper johns, pheasant tails, buggers, yuk bugs, sculpins, JJ specials
• Other Information: Come check out the new Simms Vibram soled wading boots, and the new Ross Reels.  Both are now in stock!  Also, come in on Fridays from now on for 50% off your first dozen flies!!!!

Blackfoot

• General:  2200 cfs @ Bonner.  The Blackfoot is dropping, and fishing decent.  Its been very good on certain days, and other days it has been a little tough.  The higher up the river you go the better it will get.  It's going to be busy out there so pick a section above whittaker bridge if you want to try and dodge some of the crowd.  It's your best chance, but there will still be boats.  We're starting to see more and more salmon flies (up high near ovando and the canyon), golden stones, yellow sallies, caddis, and green drakes.  As clarity continues to improve the name of the game will be big dries on top.  Nymph rigs with stonefly nymphs, worms, princes, PTs, etc bounced through deeper runs, back eddies, and seams under an indicator, or slower moving streamers like sculpins and olive buggers are all good choices.
• Hatches: Salmonflies, Golden's, Yellow Sallies, Caddis, Drakes
• Fly Patterns: ,Stonefly nymphs like rubberlegs and double-bead stones, big princes, san juan worms, copper johns, pheasant tails, buggers, yuk bugs, sculpins, JJ specials
• Other Information: MISSOURI RIVER REPORT: 10500cfs @ Holter Dam.  Huge increase in water over the last few days.  Time to look at your bobber.  Scuds have also been producing a lot of fish. Pink and gray were the best colors this past week.  As always, call the shop at 1-800-297-8996 for an up to the minute report before heading up to the MO.

Bitterroot

• General: 421 cfs @ West Fork, 1860 cfs @ Darby, 3740 cfs @ Florence, 4450 cfs @ Missoula.  Dropping fast and fishing in the main river improves every day.  The dry fly fishing has improved considerably up high.  The further south you drive towards the west fork the better the fishing on top will get. CAUTION:  Floating the West Fork from dam to canoe is very hazardous now.  Unless you are a very confident and skilled in stopping a boat in fast water don't even attempt.  From canoe down there is a log jam on the pillings of Marty's bridge that you must go river right to pass.  Salmonflies are out on both the West and East Forks.  The upper river form Darby to Hamilton will be great nymphing.   Don't be afraid to take advantage of Montana's stream access and fish those Bitterroot side channels and spring fed slews.  Some of the side channels are fishing very well.  Nymphing riffles and drop-offs with small stonefly nymphs, PTs, princes, and the worm will be effective when nothing else is happening.  Your'e really probably better off fishing one of the smaller tributaries that pour into the Root.  They are all open to fishing now, and they are your best chance at catching fish in the spring when the main river is raging like it is now.  Salmonflies on the West Fork have definitely hatched!!!
• Hatches:PMD's, Drakes, Golden's
• Fly Patterns:  Stonefly nymphs like rubberlegs and double-bead stones, big princes, san juan worms, copper johns, pheasant tails, buggers, yuk bugs, sculpins, JJ specials.
• Other Information: Book now for your summer fishing trip.  Runoff is on it's way out!  We have great snowpack and are looking forward to a fantastic season...August will be great!  The calender is filling quickly so call for availability. 1-800-297-8996.

    Rock Creek

• General: 1070 cfs.  Salmonflies and Golden Stone's have started coming off in very good numbers.  Nobody can float the creek anymore as of July 1st so it should free up some water for wade fishing.  The creek is on the drop but is still BIG so be very careful fishing it.  As flows continue to drop fishing will only get better, but finding a side channel that is a little bit slower moving would be a good idea.  Your most reliable set-up will be tandem nymph rigs involving large stonefly nymphs, PT, worm, prince, or other flashy nymphs.  Dredging streamers like sculpins, buggers, yuk bugs, and JJs through deeper water can turn some nice fish.  Fish have also started to look up in a big way.  Golden stones, caddis, and drakes are out and fish will eat them.  Other than the West Fork, Rock Creek will be your best dry fly fishing option.   
• Hatches:  Salmonflies, Golden Stones, Green Drakes, Caddis, yellow sallies
• Fly Patterns: Stonefly nymphs like rubberlegs and double-bead stones, big princes, san juan worms, copper johns, pheasant tails, buggers, yuk bugs, sculpins, JJ specials
• Other Information: New Salmonflies in stock now!  Ask about our women's fly fishing clinic July 18th.  Lots of sale items at 50-60% off, including Simms, Patagonia, Orvis and many more!! Call the shop for more information, sale items, and special offers! 1-800-297-8996.