FISHING REPORT
Week Starting: Monday, January 12, 2025
Weather Outlook
Winter is easing slightly this week, with milder daytime temperatures and colder nights. Expect changing conditions day to day.
- Mon 1/12: Mostly cloudy – High 47°F / Low 34°F
- Tue 1/13: Rather cloudy – High 50°F / Low 27°F
- Wed 1/14: Mostly sunny – High 46°F / Low 26°F
- Thu 1/15: Clouds and sun – High 47°F / Low 22°F
- Fri 1/16: Turning cloudy – High 39°F / Low 18°F
- Sat 1/17: Clouds & sun – High 38°F / Low 16°F
- Sun 1/18: Mostly sunny – High 36°F / Low 15°F
Best fishing window: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., when air and water temperatures peak and shelf ice loosens slightly
River Conditions Overview
Cold water, slow metabolism, and technical fishing are the name of the game. Expect fewer fish, but solid rewards for anglers willing to nymph slow and deep.
CAUTION:
Float reports are sparse this time of year. Unreported obstacles may be present!
Quick Gauge Snapshot
| River | Gauge area | Flow (CFS) | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot | Near Darby | 416 | 1/12 8:15am MST |
| Blackfoot | Near Bonner | 1020 | 1/12 8:30am MST |
| Clark Fork | Turah Bridge (Bonner) | 858 | 1/12 8:30am MST |
| Clark Fork | Below Missoula | 3390 | 1/12 8:30am MST |
| Rock Creek | Near Clinton | 303 | 1/12 7:45am MST |
Fishing Reports
Bitterroot River
Conditions: Good winter option if you dodge ice shelves and fish slow. Flow is ~416 CFS near Darby.
Where to fish:
- Deep, slower buckets and soft inside bends
- Tailouts below riffles (but watch for frazil/edge ice)
How to fish it: - Long leader, light tippet, tiny bugs
- Add enough weight to tick occasionally (otherwise you’re just knitting underwater)
Top patterns: - Zebra Midge (black/red)
- Rainbow Warrior / small Perdigon (winter nymphs)
- Worm if there’s any color (San Juan / wire worm)
Blackfoot River
Conditions: Solid, but cold-cold. Flow ~1020 CFS and water temp ~0.8°C (33.4°F) near Bonner.
Where to fish:
- Soft edges, deeper runs, wintering holes
- Avoid fast shallow riffle water unless the sun has been on it awhile
How to fish it: - Smaller nymphs + slower seams = money
- Consider a 2-fly rig with a heavier point fly to get down
Top patterns: - Zebra Midge / Blood Midge
- Small mayfly nymphs (#16–20)
- Sculpin/mini streamer only if you’re committed to covering slow banks
Clark Fork
Conditions: Big, stable winter flows. Turah is ~858 CFS and below Missoula is ~3390 CFS.
Where to fish:
- Inside bends, soft walking-speed seams, back-eddies
- Any “walking pace” water adjacent to depth
How to fish it: - Heavier nymph rig (bigger river) but keep the bugs small
- Streamers can work on warm afternoons, but fish them slow and low
Top patterns: - Rubberlegs (smaller, darker) + Zebra Midge dropper
- Lightning Bug / PMD-style nymphs (#16–18)
- Balanced leech / small sculpin patterns
Rock Creek
Conditions: Winter-friendly and wadable. Flow ~303 CFS near Clinton.
Where to fish:
- Deep pockets and softer edges (Rock Creek still has plenty of push)
- Tailouts that aren’t iced up
How to fish it: - Short drifts, lots of weight, focus on the “slow next to fast” lanes
Top patterns: - Zebra Midge / small Baetis nymphs
- Stonefly nymph (downsized) as an anchor fly
- Worm if you see any stain
Hatch & Fly Chart – Winter Edition
| Food Source | When | Patterns |
|---|---|---|
| Midges | Late morning–afternoon | Zebra Midge, Griffith’s Gnat |
| Baetis (BWO) | Occasional mild afternoons | Small BWO nymphs, BWO emergers |
| Worms | All winter | San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy |
| Stonefly nymphs | All winter | Pat’s Rubberlegs (small), black stones |
