Our Report

BRO’s Tips of the Week:

Snowy, cloudy, and cold weather could make conditions challenging over the next week. Nymphing the slow water and buckets could make for decent fishing during the afternoon. Go deep with a pair of nymphs like TJ Hookers, Jig PTs, San Juans, your favorite perdigon, and Zebra Midges – patience, depth, and good drifts will pay off. 

*See our 7 Day Outlook for updates on blockages jamming up the Bitterroot.

7 Day Outlook:

Tomorrow will be a decent day to fish the Bitterroot with daytime highs approaching 40 degrees, but it’s about to become COLD this weekend and will stay that way until next week. Single digits during the day and sub-zero evening temperatures will produce poor fishing and conditions bordering on unsafe.

If you are floating please use extreme caution. This river changes rapidly and is known for producing fatal log jams. Give us a call for an updated obstruction report.

*There are currently several obstructions on the Bitterroot.  

Darby-Wally: one big sweeper down just below Lone Pine requires a drag to the right on the Darby-Wally float. 

Wally-Anglers: flows over Sleeping Child dam are extremely low, producing dangerous conditions and a high chance of getting stuck. 

More wood down around the Blodgett Park area will also require careful scouting and some possible dragging. 

Veterans Bridge-Woodside: take the left channel below the bridge, as the right channel is blocked and requires a portage. 

Bell-Stevi: One new tree is down half a mile below Bell. Another tree about one mile downstream of Bell Crossing has already sunk one drift boat and will require staying far river left and doing a long drag. Lastly, one new tree is down as  ¾ through the Stevi-Florence float. It is across the river and will require a drag to get around.

Our Recommendations for the Best Techniques and Patterns:

Subsurface angling is the best strategy for success on the Bitterroot right now. Running two nymphs together is a good way to get down deep, and add some split shot if you’re dropping the rig off a shelf. Try a TJ Hooker, Double Bead Stone, Hot Bead San Juan, Rubber Legs, or Wooly Bugger with a smaller option like a Jig PT or Zebra Midge to increase your odds. Spanish Bullets, Frenchies, Prince Nymphs, Duracells, Two-Bit Hookers, Dunnigan’s Panty Dropper, Fire Starters, and Perdigons will also hunt. Carry a midge or two in case you see any afternoon rises. Working over the best water with patience will pay off.  

Streamer fishing has been okay. Fishing with a slow retrieve is the way to go when temps are this cold. The Kreelex, Mini Dungeon, or Sparkle Minnow is what we’re fishing right now. 

See our staff pick fly selection here!

Goings on at World Headquarters in Missoula:

The new Online Store is live!  Check it out!

Call us for up to the minute updates at 406.542.7411 or if you are in the area stop in for all your Orvis gear and the right bugs.  WE HAVE MOVED TO OUR BRAND NEW LOCATION AT 275 N. RUSSELL STREET IN MISSOULA.