Western Montana Fly Fishing Report
Mid-November Fishing Update
This is officially a late-start, winter-water fishing program.
Most rivers are slowly dropping after the late-October precipitation. Fish are increasingly concentrating in deeper buckets, inside seams, slow riffle transitions, eddies, and softer water adjacent to current. The best surface opportunities are short BWO and midge windows during the afternoon. Nymphing remains the most dependable technique, while streamer fishing continues to produce when anglers focus on the right water rather than simply covering miles of river.
Current Restrictions and Regulations
Montana FWP currently lists no emergency fishing or hoot-owl restrictions on the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Clark Fork, Rock Creek, or West Fork Bitterroot.
- Blackfoot River: The construction-related floating closure below Weigh Station remains lifted.
- Rock Creek: Fishing from boats or vessels remains prohibited through November 30. Wade fishing only.
- Western District: The general river and stream season remains open through November 30 unless a specific water has an exception.
- Seasonal reminder: Give active spawning areas and visible redds plenty of room.
Regional River Conditions Overview
Flows are down modestly across nearly every river compared with last Sunday. The middle Bitterroot is around 425 CFS near Victor, the lower Bitterroot is around 849 CFS, the Blackfoot is near 627 CFS, Rock Creek is around 270 CFS, and the Clark Fork is approximately 1,555 CFS above Missoula and 2,399 CFS below town.
These are excellent late-fall flows for anglers willing to adjust where they fish. The fast, shallow water that produced a month ago is becoming less important. Look for depth combined with softer current.
Stevensville's forecast is unusually mild for the second week of November. Sunday and Monday are cloudy with highs in the low 50s. Wednesday through Friday warm into the upper 50s and low 60s before cooling slightly Saturday.
The warmer afternoons should improve trout activity, but bright sunshine may reduce the quality of the BWO hatch. Cloudier Sunday and Monday offer the better dry-fly setup, while the warmer middle of the week should provide longer nymphing and streamer windows.
Bitterroot River
Conditions
The Bitterroot continues to settle and clear. Current readings are approximately 226 CFS near Darby, 425 CFS near Victor, and 849 CFS near Missoula.
The upper river remains low and technical. The middle and lower Bitterroot continue to offer considerably more forgiving water, especially where deeper buckets, inside seams, riffle transitions, and woody structure provide winter holding habitat.
Where to Fish
- Deep inside seams
- Soft riffle transitions
- Foam lines
- Eddies
- Deep buckets
- Slow tailouts
- Wood and structure adjacent to deeper water
How to Fish It
- Start around late morning rather than first light
- Nymph 3–5 feet deep through buckets and deeper seams
- Use Frenchies, Duracells, Jig Pheasant Tails, Perdigons, and BWO nymphs
- Watch slow foam lines for short afternoon BWO and midge windows
- Use long leaders and fine tippet for rising fish
- Fish streamers around wood, deeper banks, shelves, and soft edges
- Slow the retrieve as water temperatures continue to cool
Top Patterns
- BWO Flash Cripple / Film Critic, size 18–22
- Last Chance Cripple, size 18–22
- Griffith's Gnat, size 18–22
- Frenchie, size 14–18
- Duracell, size 14–18
- Perdigon, size 16–20
- Pheasant Tail, size 16–20
- White, olive, or yellow streamer
Blackfoot River
Conditions
The Blackfoot near Bonner is approximately 627 CFS. The river continues to settle, but this remains an excellent late-fall flow for targeting deeper buckets, boulder seams, inside bends, and softer winter water.
The Blackfoot remains one of the strongest streamer choices in the region. Dry-fly windows are shorter and highly dependent on weather, while nymphing remains productive through most of the day.
Where to Fish
- Deep buckets
- Boulder seams
- Inside bends
- Riffle drop-offs
- Soft shelves
- Deep banks with reduced current
- Slow foam lines during afternoon mayfly activity
How to Fish It
- Nymph heavy and deep during the colder part of the day
- Use Rubber Legs, TJ Hookers, Zirdles, or worms as the larger lead fly
- Trail Frenchies, Duracells, Pheasant Tails, or Jig BWOs
- Fish 4–6 feet deep in the appropriate winter holding water
- Watch for BWO risers Sunday and Monday under cloudy skies
- Use sink tips or added weight to reach streamer fish
- Slow-strip, swing, or dead-drift streamers through deep water
Top Patterns
- BWO cripple / dun, size 18–20
- Rubber Legs / Zirdle, size 8–12
- TJ Hooker, size 8–12
- San Juan / Wonky Worm
- Frenchie, size 14–18
- Duracell, size 14–18
- Jig BWO, size 16–20
- Mini Dungeon / Zonker / Lil Kim
Clark Fork River
Conditions
The Clark Fork is approximately 1,555 CFS above Missoula and 2,399 CFS below Missoula. It remains the largest and most forgiving river in the regional lineup.
November fishing on the Clark Fork is becoming primarily a subsurface program, but short BWO and midge windows can still provide excellent technical dry-fly fishing during the afternoon.
Where to Fish
- Deep inside bends
- Slow foam lines
- Eddies
- Soft tailouts
- Deeper side-channel seams
- Slow water adjacent to current
- Deep green lanes
How to Fish It
- Do not expect meaningful surface activity early
- Nymph deeper inside bends and slow seams through the morning
- Watch carefully for BWO and midge activity after midday
- Use size 18–22 cripples, emergers, and duns for selective fish
- Fish Frenchies, Pheasant Tails, Jig BWOs, Zebra Midges, and worms subsurface
- Dead-drift or slowly swing streamers through deeper water
- Focus on olive, black, and natural streamer combinations
Top Patterns
- BWO Film Critic / cripple, size 18–22
- Griffith's Gnat, size 18–22
- Jig BWO, size 16–20
- Frenchie, size 14–18
- Pheasant Tail, size 16–20
- Zebra Midge, size 18–22
- San Juan Worm
- Thin Mint / Mini Dungeon
Rock Creek
Conditions
Rock Creek near Clinton is approximately 270 CFS. The creek continues to drop and clear after the late-October flow bump.
Nymphing and streamer fishing are now more dependable than dry-fly fishing, although BWOs can still bring fish to the surface during short afternoon windows.
Where to Fish
- Deep riffle transitions
- Plunge pools
- Boulder pockets with softer current
- Inside seams
- Tailouts
- Slow foam lines
How to Fish It
- Wait until late morning before expecting consistent activity
- Nymph deeper pools with Rubber Legs, TJ Hookers, Frenchies, and Pheasant Tails
- Use small BWO nymphs in clear water
- Watch tailouts and slower seams for afternoon risers
- Fish small flashy streamers on brighter days
- Slow down and thoroughly fish productive water
- Remember fishing from boats or vessels remains prohibited through November 30
Top Patterns
- BWO Flash Cripple / Film Critic, size 18–22
- Griffith's Gnat, size 18–22
- Rubber Legs / TJ Hooker, size 8–12
- Frenchie, size 14–18
- Pheasant Tail, size 16–20
- Jig BWO, size 16–20
- Mini Dungeon
- Sparkle Minnow / Woolly Bugger
West Fork of the Bitterroot
Conditions
The West Fork near Conner is approximately 57 CFS. It remains extremely low and essentially unchanged from last week.
Fish are concentrated into the deepest available pools and pockets. This remains technical water that rewards stealth, long leaders, light tippet, and careful first presentations.
Where to Fish
- Deepest available pools
- Slow pockets around wood
- Protected tailouts
- Deep riffle edges
- Shaded water with adequate depth
How to Fish It
- Use long leaders and 5X–6X tippet
- Stay out of productive water whenever possible
- Fish small BWOs and midges
- Use small Perdigons and Pheasant Tails through deeper pockets
- Make the first cast count
- Consider the mainstem Bitterroot for a more forgiving day
Top Patterns
- BWO, size 18–22
- Griffith's Gnat, size 18–22
- Zebra Midge, size 18–22
- Perdigon, size 16–20
- Pheasant Tail, size 16–20
- Small olive or black streamer
Planning Note
Sunday: Increasing clouds with a high around 54. One of the better BWO and streamer setups of the week. Start late and watch slower water during the afternoon.
Monday: Mostly cloudy with patchy morning fog and a high around 52. Excellent late-fall conditions. Nymph deeper water first, then look for a BWO or midge window after midday.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy with a high around 52 and a chance of morning rain. Another good BWO and streamer day if cloud cover holds.
Wednesday: Partly sunny and warmer near 59. Expect a longer productive nymphing window, although brighter skies may make the dry-fly fishing more selective.
Thursday: Partly sunny and unusually warm near 61. Start late and fish nymphs through the deepest holding water. Midges and scattered BWOs may bring fish up during the warmest part of the day.
Friday: Partly sunny around 58. Similar program: deep nymphing, slow streamers, and watching for a short afternoon surface window.
Saturday: Partly sunny with a slight chance of rain and a high around 54. Increasing clouds could improve both BWO and streamer fishing.
Overall strategy: Sleep in, fish the deeper winter water, and let the river tell you when to switch to dries. If you see consistent rises, go small and precise. If you don't, stay subsurface rather than trying to negotiate with fish that have already made their decision.
River Flow Snapshot – November 8, 2026
Values are the latest Northwest River Forecast Center observations available the morning of November 8. Gauge readings are provisional and may change throughout the day.
| River | Section | Gauge | Current Flow | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot | Upper | Near Darby (12344000) | 226 CFS | Falling / Low / Technical |
| Bitterroot | Middle | Bell Crossing nr Victor (12350250) | 425 CFS | Falling / Clear |
| Bitterroot | Lower | Near Missoula (12352500) | 849 CFS | Falling / Best Bitterroot Volume |
| Blackfoot | Lower | Near Bonner (12340000) | 627 CFS | Settling / Good Late-Fall Flow |
| Clark Fork | Upper | Above Missoula (12340500) | 1,555 CFS | Falling / Solid Big-Water Option |
| Clark Fork | Lower | Below Missoula (12353000) | 2,399 CFS | Falling / Best Big-Water Volume |
| Rock Creek | Lower | Near Clinton (12334510) | 270 CFS | Falling / Wade Fishing Only |
| West Fork Bitterroot | Lower | Near Conner (12342500) | 57 CFS | Extremely Low / Highly Technical |
The entire system is gradually settling. The lower Bitterroot and Clark Fork continue to provide the most forgiving volume, while the Blackfoot remains in a solid late-fall range. Rock Creek continues to drop but remains very fishable on foot. The West Fork remains exceptionally low.
Fly Box of the Week
Dry Flies
- BWO, size 18–22
- Film Critic, size 18–22
- Last Chance Cripple, size 18–22
- Parachute Adams, size 18–20
- Purple Haze, size 18–20
- Griffith's Gnat, size 18–24
Nymphs
- Frenchie, size 14–18
- Perdigon, size 16–20
- Pheasant Tail, size 16–20
- Duracell, size 14–18
- Jig BWO, size 16–20
- Zebra Midge, size 18–22
- Rubber Legs / Zirdle, size 8–12
- San Juan / Wonky Worm
Streamers
- Thin Mint
- Mini Dungeon
- Sculpzilla
- Sparkle Minnow
- Woolly Bugger
- Zonker
- Lil Kim
Hatch and Fly Chart – Mid-November Edition
| Hatch / Insect | Activity | Best Time | Recommended Fly | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BWOs | Primary late-fall surface hatch | Noon–4:00 p.m. | Film Critic, cripple, emerger, dun, Jig BWO | 18–22 |
| Midges | Increasingly important as water cools | Late morning–afternoon | Griffith's Gnat, Zebra Midge, larva / pupa | 18–24 |
| Stonefly Nymphs | Consistent subsurface food | All day | Rubber Legs, Zirdle, TJ Hooker | 8–12 |
| Mayfly Nymphs | Core late-fall subsurface food | All day | Frenchie, PT, Duracell, Perdigon | 14–20 |
| October Caddis | Mostly finished; occasional late activity only | Warm afternoons | Adult or pupa | 10–12 |
BWOs and midges now own most of the dry-fly box. The days of building a November fishing plan around October Caddis are essentially over. If no fish are rising, nymphing the correct winter water is a much better use of the afternoon.
Gear Picks of the Week
Warm Layering System
Mild afternoons do not change the fact that mornings are cold. Layering lets you stay comfortable through the productive midday window without carrying half the closet.
5X–6X Tippet
Clear water, small BWOs, and midges make fine tippet increasingly important for selective surface feeders.
Weighted Nymph & Streamer Setup
Most trout are spending more time near the bottom now. Be prepared to reach the deeper water rather than hoping fish rise to meet your rig halfway.
Strategy and Expectations This Week
The middle and lower Bitterroot remain the best overall local recommendation. The river offers the best combination of accessible winter water, nymphing, streamer fishing, and occasional afternoon dries.
The Blackfoot remains our first choice for anglers who want to streamer fish. Deep buckets and slow boulder seams are the program. Get the fly down and slow the retrieve.
The Clark Fork offers the best dedicated BWO and midge opportunity. Be patient. There is no reason to force dries before fish begin showing themselves.
Rock Creek remains the best wade-fishing alternative. Nymph deeper pools and riffle transitions, then watch for a short afternoon surface window.
The West Fork remains extremely low. Recommend the mainstem Bitterroot to most anglers unless they specifically want difficult, technical small-water fishing.
