Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Bitterroot River, Montana
The main stem of the Bitterroot River is formed by the
confluence of the West Fork of the Bitterroot, a tailwater,
and the East Fork of the Bitterroot, a freestone stream.
The main river flows through the Bitterroot Valley on its
way to the Clarke Fork River in Missoula, Montana. The
Bitterroot Mountains form the western skyline and the
Sapphire Mountains form the eastern skyline. Fly fishing
the Bitterroot River is usually a very neat adventure.
Each of the two forks provide about twenty miles of
fishing. The main stem of the river flows for seventy-five
miles through a fairly well developed area of Montana on
its way to Missoula. Most of the Bitterroot Valley is used
for agriculture purposes but there are a few ranches.
Both grass and timber, consisting of cottonwood and
aspen trees, line the banks of the stream.
Both the East Fork and the West Fork of the Bitterroot
offer great trout fishing. These two forks, along with the
larger main stem, provide a tremendous diversity of
water. There's small stream headwater fishing, tailwater
fishing, and varying water types in the main steam that
ranges from long, slow moving deep pools with short
sections of riffles connecting them to faster water with
lots of riffles and runs. From Conner, near where the two
forks join, downstream to Hamilton, the water is mostly
moderate to fast flowing. Below Hamilton, you will find
larger water that moves slower. Both types of water
provide excellent fishing. Access is great with highway
93 following the main stem and the East Fork throughout
their lengths. The West Fork is accessed from County
Road 473.
Seasons:
Special Regulations apply. You should check the current
Montana Regulations
Spring:
After the runoff subsides, springtime is the most popular
time to fish the river.
Summer:
Fishing can be great in the first part of the summer, but
can slow down in parts of the river during late summer.
The West Fork stays cool year-round.
Fall:
Early fall can be another popular time for fly fishing the
Bitterroot River.
Winter:
It is possible to fish the West Fork during the winter.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Bitterroot River
The methods and strategies you use for fly fishing the
Bitterroot River depends on the section you are fishing
and the time of year. (Click Here To Continue)
The main stem of the Bitterroot River is formed by the
confluence of the West Fork of the Bitterroot, a tailwater,
and the East Fork of the Bitterroot, a freestone stream.
The main river flows through the Bitterroot Valley on its
way to the Clarke Fork River in Missoula, Montana. The
Bitterroot Mountains form the western skyline and the
Sapphire Mountains form the eastern skyline. Fly fishing
the Bitterroot River is usually a very neat adventure.
Each of the two forks provide about twenty miles of
fishing. The main stem of the river flows for seventy-five
miles through a fairly well developed area of Montana on
its way to Missoula. Most of the Bitterroot Valley is used
for agriculture purposes but there are a few ranches.
Both grass and timber, consisting of cottonwood and
aspen trees, line the banks of the stream.
Both the East Fork and the West Fork of the Bitterroot
offer great trout fishing. These two forks, along with the
larger main stem, provide a tremendous diversity of
water. There's small stream headwater fishing, tailwater
fishing, and varying water types in the main steam that
ranges from long, slow moving deep pools with short
sections of riffles connecting them to faster water with
lots of riffles and runs. From Conner, near where the two
forks join, downstream to Hamilton, the water is mostly
moderate to fast flowing. Below Hamilton, you will find
larger water that moves slower. Both types of water
provide excellent fishing. Access is great with highway
93 following the main stem and the East Fork throughout
their lengths. The West Fork is accessed from County
Road 473.
Seasons:
Special Regulations apply. You should check the current
Montana Regulations
Spring:
After the runoff subsides, springtime is the most popular
time to fish the river.
Summer:
Fishing can be great in the first part of the summer, but
can slow down in parts of the river during late summer.
The West Fork stays cool year-round.
Fall:
Early fall can be another popular time for fly fishing the
Bitterroot River.
Winter:
It is possible to fish the West Fork during the winter.
Fly Fishing Guide to the Bitterroot River
The methods and strategies you use for fly fishing the
Bitterroot River depends on the section you are fishing
and the time of year. (Click Here To Continue)
| Type of Stream Freestone and Tailwater Species Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Cutthroat Trout Brook Trout Bull Trout (Rare) (Wild Trout) Size Medium Location Southwestern Montana Nearest Towns Missoula Conner Season 3rd Sat. May - Nov. 30th (Catch and Release other times) Special Regulations Access: Good Non-Resident License State of Montana Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Perfect Fly Hatch Chart Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear Stream Flow Data: Real Time USGS Data (Darby) Real Time USGS Data (Victor) Real Time USGS Data (Florence) Real Time USGS Data (West Fk) |
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Bitterroot River, Montana
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| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |