Western Montana Fly Fishing Report
Regional River Conditions Overview
The Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Clark Fork, Rock Creek, and West Fork have all dropped from their heavier runoff levels. The rivers are still carrying good volume, but anglers now have more traditional summer holding water available, including riffle edges, banks, buckets, tailouts, and foam lines. The Bitterroot offers the best all-around consistency. The Blackfoot still has big-bug potential, the Clark Fork is producing legitimate dry-fly windows, Rock Creek is transitioning from salmonflies to golden stones and Green Drakes, and the West Fork remains the cleanest smaller-water option.
Bitterroot River
Conditions
Morning water temperatures range from roughly 50°F on the upper river to the upper 50s closer to Missoula. Flows are around 1,240 CFS near Darby, 2,810 CFS at Bell Crossing, and 3,900 CFS near Missoula. The river is in good fishing shape, with improving access to riffles, banks, side channels, foam lines, and tailouts.
Where to Fish
- Upper and middle river riffle edges
- Side channels with steady walking-speed current
- Foam lines along inside banks
- Tailouts below productive riffles
- Shaded banks and structure during golden stone activity
- Lower-river shelves and softer seams during PMD hatches
How to Fish It
- Start with a dry-dropper or light nymph rig in the morning
- Watch for PMDs from late morning into early afternoon
- Fish golden stone dries tight to banks and structure
- Use Green Drake dries or emergers during cloudy periods
- Fish caddis pupa and dries during afternoon and evening activity
- Move to earlier fishing as air and water temperatures rise midweek
Top Patterns
- Golden stone dry or nymph, size 6–10
- PMD emerger or dry, size 14–18
- Green Drake emerger or dry, size 10–12
- Yellow Sally dry or nymph, size 12–16
- Caddis dry or pupa, size 12–16
- Stonefly nymph, size 6–10
- Olive or black streamer, size 4–6
Blackfoot River
Conditions
Morning water temperature near Bonner is around 57°F, with flows near 2,400 CFS. The river is in a much more manageable range than it was earlier in June. Salmonflies are primarily a canyon and upper-river opportunity now, while golden stones, PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and caddis are becoming more important through the middle and lower river.
Where to Fish
- Canyon and upper-river banks for remaining salmonfly activity
- Middle-river banks and boulder edges for golden stones
- Inside corners below heavier current
- Riffle edges during PMD and Green Drake activity
- Shaded structure and undercut banks
- Tailouts and soft buckets during midday hatches
How to Fish It
- Fish large dries or dry-droppers close to the banks
- Use golden stone and salmonfly nymphs when fish are not looking up
- Watch for PMDs and Green Drakes in riffle transitions
- Fish caddis pupa and Yellow Sally nymphs through softer seams
- Use streamers early, late, or during cloud cover
- Cover water, but slow down around productive structure
Top Patterns
- Golden stone dry or nymph, size 6–10
- Foam salmonfly dry, size 4–6
- PMD emerger or dry, size 14–18
- Green Drake dry or emerger, size 10–12
- Yellow Sally dry or nymph, size 12–16
- Stonefly nymph, size 4–10
- Black or olive streamer, size 4–6
Clark Fork River
Conditions
Morning water temperature above Missoula is around 58°F. Flows are approximately 3,510 CFS above Missoula and 7,350 CFS below Missoula. The upper river is fishing well, while the lower river remains a larger-water float program. Golden stones, PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and caddis are all contributing to better dry-fly fishing.
Where to Fish
- Upper-river riffles and softer edges
- Foam lines along inside banks
- Shallow shelves near deeper holding water
- Tailouts during PMD and Green Drake hatches
- Bank structure during golden stone activity
- Lower-river seams where drift control is realistic
How to Fish It
- Fish dry-droppers along banks and riffle edges
- Use PMD dries or emergers when fish become selective
- Watch for Green Drakes during cloudy or stormy periods
- Fish golden stone dries near fast banks and structure
- Use caddis dries and pupa later in the day
- Streamer fish deeper banks and buckets during low light
Top Patterns
- Golden stone dry or nymph, size 6–10
- PMD emerger or dry, size 14–18
- Green Drake dry or emerger, size 10–12
- Caddis dry or pupa, size 12–16
- Yellow Sally dry or nymph, size 12–16
- Dark mayfly nymph
- Olive or black streamer
Rock Creek
Conditions
Morning water temperature near Clinton is around 53°F, with flows near 768 CFS. The bulk of the salmonfly hatch has moved into the highest portions of the drainage or is winding down. Golden stones, Green Drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and caddis are now the main story. Wading is becoming more practical, but the main channel still has plenty of push.
Where to Fish
- Upper-creek banks for remaining salmonfly activity
- Willow edges and cutbanks for golden stones
- Boulder pockets and current cushions
- Riffle edges during PMD and Green Drake activity
- Tailouts and softer glides later in the day
- Shaded banks and deeper buckets during bright afternoons
How to Fish It
- Fish golden stone dries tight to banks and structure
- Use Green Drake dries and emergers during cloudy windows
- Run a stonefly or mayfly dropper below a larger dry
- Fish PMDs in slower riffle edges and tailouts
- Use Yellow Sallies and caddis during the afternoon
- Wade carefully and avoid unnecessary deep crossings
Top Patterns
- Golden stone dry or nymph, size 6–10
- Green Drake dry or emerger, size 10–12
- PMD emerger or dry, size 14–18
- Yellow Sally dry or nymph, size 12–16
- Caddis dry or pupa, size 12–16
- Stonefly nymph, size 6–10
- Black or olive streamer, size 4–6
West Fork of the Bitterroot
Conditions
The West Fork near Conner is running around 253 CFS. It remains the cleanest and most manageable smaller-water option in the Bitterroot system. Salmonflies are fading, while golden stones, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, caddis, and smaller mayflies are becoming more important.
Where to Fish
- Riffle edges below Painted Rocks
- Protected tailouts and inside seams
- Foam lines along shaded banks
- Edges below wood, boulders, and structure
- Moderate-speed pocket water
- Calm seams during PMD and caddis activity
How to Fish It
- Start with a small dry-dropper rig
- Use PMD dries and emergers in slower tailouts
- Fish golden stones and Yellow Sallies near banks
- Use caddis pupa and soft hackles through riffle edges
- Scale down tippet when fish become selective
- Make careful first casts before walking through productive water
Top Patterns
- PMD emerger or dry, size 14–18
- Golden stone dry or nymph, size 8–12
- Yellow Sally dry or nymph, size 12–16
- Caddis dry or pupa, size 12–16
- Small mayfly nymph
- Soft hackle, size 12–16
- Small olive streamer
Planning Note
Sunday and Monday should offer comfortable all-day conditions, but temperatures climb sharply Tuesday through Thursday. Start earlier during the hottest part of the week and carry a stream thermometer. Late morning should still provide strong PMD, golden stone, and Green Drake activity, but afternoon fishing may slow as water temperatures and sunlight increase.
Friday and Saturday bring cooler weather and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloud cover may improve Green Drake, PMD, and streamer fishing, but leave the water immediately if lightning develops.
River Flow Snapshot – June 21, 2026
Gauge values are based on the latest available USGS readings reviewed on the morning of June 21. Values may change during the day.
| River | Section | Gauge | Flow (CFS) | Trend / Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot | Upper | Near Darby (12344000) | 1,240 | Fishable / Improved |
| Bitterroot | Middle | Bell Crossing nr Victor (12350250) | 2,810 | Elevated / Stable |
| Bitterroot | Lower | Near Missoula (12352500) | 3,900 | Improving / Good Edges |
| Blackfoot | Lower | Near Bonner (12340000) | 2,400 | Improving / Big Bugs |
| Clark Fork | Upper | Above Missoula (12340500) | 3,510 | Improving / Dry-Fly Windows |
| Clark Fork | Lower | Below Missoula (12353000) | 7,350 | Big Water / Improving |
| Rock Creek | Lower | Near Clinton (12334510) | 768 | Improving / Wade Carefully |
| West Fork Bitterroot | Lower | Near Conner (12342500) | 253 | Clearer / Manageable |
Flows are in a productive early-summer range across much of the region. Focus on riffle edges, banks, foam lines, tailouts, side channels, and current breaks where trout can feed efficiently.
Fly Box of the Week
Dry Flies
- Golden stone dry, size 6–10
- Green Drake dry, size 10–12
- PMD emerger or dry, size 14–18
- Yellow Sally dry, size 12–16
- Caddis dry, size 12–16
- Foam attractor dry, size 8–12
Nymphs
- Stonefly nymph, size 6–10
- PMD nymph, size 14–18
- Green Drake nymph, size 10–12
- Yellow Sally nymph, size 12–16
- Caddis larva or pupa, size 12–16
- Perdigon or attractor nymph, size 14–18
Streamers
- Olive streamer, size 4–6
- Black streamer, size 4–6
- Sculpin-style streamer, size 4–6
Hatch and Fly Chart – Late June Edition
| Hatch / Insect | Activity | Best Time | Recommended Fly | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Stones | Strong across the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Clark Fork, and Rock Creek | Late morning to afternoon | Foam dry or stonefly nymph | 6–10 |
| Green Drakes | Best during cloudy, humid, or stormy periods | Late morning to afternoon | Nymph, emerger, or dry | 10–12 |
| PMDs | Consistent in riffles, seams, and tailouts | Morning to early afternoon | Nymph, emerger, or dry | 14–18 |
| Yellow Sallies | Building throughout the region | Late morning to afternoon | Dry or nymph | 12–16 |
| Caddis | Active throughout the day with stronger evening activity | Afternoon into evening | Dry, pupa, or larva | 12–16 |
| Salmonflies | Mostly limited to upper Blackfoot, upper Rock Creek, and isolated pockets | Midday to afternoon | Foam dry or large stonefly nymph | 4–6 |
Golden stones, PMDs, and Green Drakes are the most important daytime hatches this week. Caddis and Yellow Sallies provide additional afternoon and evening opportunities.
Gear Picks of the Week
5-Weight or 6-Weight Rod
A 5-weight is ideal for PMDs and technical dry-fly fishing. A 6-weight is better for large stoneflies, dry-droppers, streamers, and the Blackfoot or lower Clark Fork.
Dry-Dropper Leaders
Golden stone dries with PMD, Yellow Sally, caddis, or stonefly droppers provide an effective all-around setup this week.
Stream Thermometer
Warm afternoons are forecast from Tuesday through Thursday. Check water temperatures regularly and move your fishing earlier when necessary.
Strategy and Expectations This Week
This is a strong early-summer fishing report, but timing will become increasingly important as the week warms. The best combination of comfortable water temperatures and active hatches should occur from morning through early afternoon.
The Bitterroot provides the best overall consistency. The Blackfoot offers the biggest remaining stonefly opportunity, the Clark Fork is producing good dry-fly windows, Rock Creek has excellent hatch variety, and the West Fork remains the best smaller-water option.
