Montana ·
Bitterroot River Fly Fishing Report - June 14, 2026
BITTERROOT RIVER
ReportJUN 14 — 21, 2026
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Flow
—CFS
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Water Temp
—
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Weather
38–84°F
Mostly Clear
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Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
USGS gauge data unavailable at report time; local guide sources confirm the Bitterroot is dropping fast from a recent high-water flush, with improving clarity and fishable conditions returning — water temps near 53°F. Nymphing and streamers are the primary approach, with dry fly windows opening mid-afternoon as salmonflies and golden stones push fish to the surface.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salmonfly (Pteronarcys californica) | #4–6 | Heavy — moving upriver through upper stretches | Midday to late afternoon |
| Golden Stonefly | #8–10 | Strong — following salmonfly push | Afternoon into evening |
| Green Drake (Drunella grandis) | #10–12 | Moderate — sporadic emergences on mainstem | Early to mid-afternoon |
| Yellow Sally (Isoperla) | #14–16 | Building — active in faster riffles | Afternoon |
| Pale Morning Dun (Ephemerella) | #16–20 | Emerging — beginning on calmer flats | Late morning to early afternoon |
| Caddis (Brachycentrus / Hydropsyche) | #16–20 | Moderate — evening activity along banks | Evening |
Best Time Window
- Morning (7–10 AM): Nymph and streamer focus — run heavy rigs through deep seams and swing sculpin patterns along outside bends before the sun hits the water
- Midday to Early Afternoon (12–3 PM): Prime salmonfly and golden stone dry fly window — watch for naturals on the banks and rising fish; switch to big foam dries when activity picks up
- Evening (6–8 PM): Caddis and PMD spinner fall — slow down and target rising fish in the flats and tailouts with CDC caddis and PMD emerger patterns
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith the Bitterroot still running high and dropping, focus your float on the inside seams and softer water adjacent to the main current — that's where trout are holding to conserve energy while ambushing food. Run a heavy nymph rig (Pat's Rubber Legs + Wiggly Worm) through the deep slots in the morning, then watch the banks carefully from noon onward for salmonfly and golden stone activity. When you see naturals crawling on streamside vegetation and fish starting to nose up, switch to a big foam dry and work the bank water methodically. With sunny skies and temps pushing into the upper 70s this weekend, the afternoon dry fly window could be exceptional.
Main Species
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
