Bitterroot River Fishing Report
Our Bitterroot river fishing report comes to you straight from the river! We tell it like it is and take pride in providing the most accurate Missoula fishing report available. When you want to know how the fishing is, what tactics to use, or what flies to tie on, we’re you’re one-stop Missoula fly shop.
Bitterroot River Fishing Report + Rating
1/5
May 18, 2024
It’s spring runoff season in Missoula, and the Bitterroot is feeling the effects. The Bitterroot will continue to rise and blow out before it gets lower. Cooler days ahead may clear up the river, but it will remain high and difficult to fish. If you get out, wade or float carefully as new river blockages and hazards occur this time of year. Mostly a nymph game with these conditions, with heavy stonefly nymphs like Front St. Stones and T.J. Hookers. Large attractor nymphs like Jig Thrashers, Jig Princes and heavy San Juan Worms. As the flows and clarity changes, keep the streamer box handy. A bump in flows shakes the little fish up, and the big ones take note. Goldies, Rusty Trombones, Big Hole Buggers, Mini Dungeons, Chicago Overcoats, Lil Kim’s and Sparkle Minnows.
There are a lot of downed trees and blockages in the Bitterroot. Give our Missoula fly shop a call for up-to-date information.
1/2 off Friday’s are still happening, every Friday all year long. (1/2 off your first dozen dries or nymphs)
Current Recommended Flies For Bitterroot Fly Fishing
Find flies for Missoula fly fishing at our Missoula fly shop or online fly shop.
Bitterroot River Flows
See below for current Bitterroot River conditions and flows at multiple USGS gauges along the river.
Bitterroot Valley Weather
See the Bitterroot fishing report weather forecast for the next 7-days. For more information on the forecast or detailed weather data, please visit NOAA Weather Data – Stevensville, Montana.
Montana SNOTEL Current Snow Water Equivalent % of Normal
SWE is an acronym for Snow Water Equivalent, signifying the quantity of liquid water present in snow. Essentially, if you were to take a certain snow depth and melt it, the resulting water height would be representative of the SWE. This is how we can predict river flows and water levels for fishing season.
Give us a call or stop by our Missoula fly shop for expert tips and advice.
Check out our additional information on Bitterroot River fly fishing!
215 West Front Street
Missoula, MT 59802