Fly fishing · MT · Bitterroot Valley · Wild trout

Bitterroot River: hatch chart + live conditions

Scenic freestone river in the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula. Good caddis and PMD hatches. Native westslope cutthroat in upper tributaries.

Current conditions: Checking USGS… USGS site 12344000

Top 3 dry flies for July

1
Elk Hair Caddis fly pattern
Size 12-16 · dry
Matches active hatch: caddis.
2
Stimulator fly pattern
Size 10-14 · dry
Matches active hatch: caddis.
3
Trico Spinner fly pattern
Size 20-24 · dry
Matches active hatch: trico.

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12-month hatch chart

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Frequently asked

What are the best months to fish the Bitterroot River?

Best months: May, June, July, August, September.

What flies hatch on the Bitterroot River in July?

Active hatches this month: caddis, terrestrial, trico, pale morning dun.

What species are in the Bitterroot River?

Primary: rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout. Scenic freestone river in the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula. Good caddis and PMD hatches. Native westslope cutthroat in upper tributaries.

Are there special fishing regulations on the Bitterroot River?

No special-regulation section is listed here, so standard Montana trout regulations apply. Check MT FWP before fishing.

How do I check live water conditions on the Bitterroot River?

The live USGS reading is shown at the top of this page (site 12344000). It refreshes hourly.

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