Bitterroot River
Big Hole River
Beaverhead River
Madison River
Clark Fork River
Big Blackfoot River
Rock Creek
Missouri River

Bitterroot River
The Bitterroot from just below Conner, Montana (where the East and the West Forks meet).  The Bitterroot River passes easily through the Bitterroot Valley some 85 miles on its way to the Clark Fork at Missoula.  There are some quick bends, a little fast water, sweepers (downed trees), and a couple irrigation dams on the way, but all in all is one easy going, enjoyable river to fish, and to be on or near. 

Nestled between the Bitterroot Mountains to the west and the Sapphires on the east, and generously nourished by them, the Bitterroot and her valley have life all year long.

Speaking of generous, there is a generous catch and release and artificials only all-year season on the Bitterroot.  And, although some folks dislike catch and release, the Bitterroot has benefited greatly by regulation and she is very generous with many very nice sided trout coming to the fly.  15" to 17" fish have become commonplace with the possibility of many fish beyond that size, and a chance of getting into a real lunker at any time.

After the third Saturday in May until the end of November, some restriction as to catch and release and bait fishing may change or creek fishing opens, increasing opportunities for everyone.
Many of the folks who come to the Bitterroot Fly Company take at least one day to float the Bitterroot and then do some wade-fishing, either on the main branch or the West or East Forks.  The West Fork is the most popular.  A river onto itself, it is floated when the water is high enough, but it is also a comfortable river to wade with the chance of hooking five species of trout in beautiful surroundings.

Best Time to Be Here:
Last year the fishing was unbelievable from March until the end of November.  But, usually there are three peaks on the Bitterroot and her forks:  March 15th to April 30th.  The Skwala Stonefly (A size 10 Golden Stonefly) along with some smaller stoneflies, Grey Drakes (March Browns or minor Green Drake, depending on who you ask), Caddis flies, and Blue Winged Olives bring on some great dry fly fishing (in March and April). 

The second peak is about June 20th to the end of July.  Starting with Salmon Flies and Golden Stones, there is a potpourri of Stoneflies, Mayflies, Caddis Flies and even Terrestrials.  It is a time to be here! 

Last season, the peaks seem to run together, but most seasons another peak comes about the second week of September and runs to the end of October.  Terrestrials, E. hecuba, and Mahogany Mayflies, Blue Winged Olives, other small Mayflies, Caddis, and Midges during a time when you can have the water all to yourself. 

The dry fly is fun, but if you are a died-in-the-wool underwater fisher:  Copper Johns, Glo Bugs, Pheasant Tails, Princes, and Stonefly Nymph imitations along with Wooly Buggers, Muddlers, Spuddlers, and Grey Ghost Streamers.

It is hard to go to other places once you have been in the Bitterroot Valley, but should they beckon, first check with us about a guided float, the best way to learn to fish strange waters, or let us supply or get information for you.

Big Hole River
The Big Hole, not all that far away, has been that river to fish in Montana for many years.  From its beginning as meadow waters, and then 'pasture' water, and beyond.  The Salmon Fly hatch being the most popular time, but good fishing to follow all year. 
A wonderful, comfortable river to fish, there are Brooks, Grayling, Rainbows, and big Browns.

Beaverhead River
The Beaverhead has some of the largest trout to be found in Western Montana.   Mostly a nymph and wet fly stream, it is a small river lined with willows, undercut to impressive depths and best fished by floating.  This is not to say there is no wade-fishing, and don't forget to try Poindexter Slough for some spring creek fishing.

Madison River
The Madison.  Ah, the Madison.  From Yellowstone National Park to Three Forks, a river of many faces.  Your writer would do the "big riffle" below Slide Lake, and so would many, but she fishes well forever, and in such beautiful country.

Drought conditions have forced us toward the Madison River more in recent years, but "forced" may be too strong a word, as it have been a cheerful direction. 
Rainbow and Brown trout fishing in the splendor of Montana.

Clark Fork River
The Clark Fork is Montana's largest river.  A much kept secret above Missoula, it is a braided stream, rocky and not bad fishing for Browns.  A warning here - although the fishing is darn good, the eating is not.  That is changing, but it will be a while. 

Below Missoula, the Clark Fork is a big river of smooth, slick water where pods of trout, big trout, set-up shop rising to small flies.  Although some of these big fish have gained the name of "PHD FISH", they will come for the right patterns presented in the right way.  And, when one of these fish comes to hand, the emotions that come with it equal what fishing is all about.

Big Blackfoot River
The Big Blackfoot river is host to Westslope Cutthroat, Bull Trout, Rainbows, and Browns.  Although you keep hearing or beauty and clear turquoise-colored waters, they are personified here only to be broken by boulder-strewn trout holding water. 

There have been a number of conservation efforts to help the Big Blackfoot, and they continue as does a wonderful resource. Be careful here, as the depth is even more deceiving than on other rivers.

Rock Creek
Rock Creek has one of the earliest Salmon Fly hatches, followed by Golden Stoneflies and can be floated early in the year.  After that, it becomes a popular wade-fishing creek.  For good reason.  Fishing is not bad, and access is not bad.

Missouri River
The Missouri is Montana's largest spring creek.  Small flies and big trout on a comfortable river.  Need we say more? It is a world of fly-fishing on some of the best rivers in the world.