Fly Fishing The Bitterroot River

Season: May through October

Species: rainbow, brown, mountain whitefish

Average size on average day: 14-16 inches

Tackle suggestions: 9ft, five or six weight fast action fly rod

Located just south of Missoula, Montana the Bitterroot offers some of the best early season action in the state. The annual skwala stonefly hatch in late March is not to be missed and brings the first consistent dry fly fishing of the year. The Bitterroot is a classic Montana stream and ribbons through a long valley lined with cottonwoods and shouldered by the Bitterroot range.

When fishing the Bitterroot we generally base out of Missoula and since it's about five hours from our base here on the Kootenai we require a minimum of three day trips.