Missoula Fly Fishing Report – March Trout Fishing
Wednesday I fished with long-time angler, Steve, and his son William. The guys were mainly out for skiing and snowmobiling but decided to take advantage of the great weather and get on the river too. We launched on a middle stretch of the Bitterroot and started off with dry/dropper rigs.
After a couple of good runs that didn’t produce anything, I went deeper with William on an indicator rig. That made the difference as he hooked up in the next two spots and then boated the first rainbow of the day. I switched Steve over to the same rig and they both picked up fish in the next good run.
Steve added one more nice cuttbow to the tally before we stopped for lunch. The morning action was good and I expected it would only improve as the day warmed up, but the early afternoon was spotty. We switched between a nymph rig and dry/dropper set up and only had a few brief hookups in what is normally great water.
Fortunately, the fish decided to eat again in the fourth quarter. The river came back to life again in the last hour. William connected to a couple of hot rainbows and Steve capped off the day with a final cuttbow just above the take out. It was a beautiful weather day with sunshine and 50’s, and enough fish in the net to keep things interesting. Missoula Fly Fishing Report – March Trout Fishing
Thursday was my first day of the March trout fishing season with local angler, Bob. We did a little shorter version of the same stretch of river as yesterday. Starting off with the nymph rig, Bob had one solid grab in our first spot and then landed his first rainbow of the year in a long run below that.
All morning each good run seemed to hold a willing fish or two for us. Slow water and shelf drop offs were the best. After lunch the nymph rig picked up a couple more in a big riffle and then we switched to a dry/dropper set-up. That was the right combo as Bob quickly connected with two in the next run.
Shallower and faster water started to come into play as the day warmed up with fish coming off of seams and in back eddies. The highlight of the day was a small bucket with a log in it. Bob landed 4 rainbows and cuttbows, and had a big fish break us off in the log. All from the same spot.
He added a couple more to the net in the last mile on our way out. It was another perfect weather day and the trout were active from start to finish. Join Tony for a day of fly fishing – Click Here!
Missoula Fly Fishing Report – March Trout Fishing Photos
Missoula Fly Fishing Report – March Trout Fishing
I couldn’t ask for a better start to the March Trout fishing season. Getting on the river a few days each week to get back in rhythm, with mild weather, and anglers simply happy to be on the water again is perfect. I have not seen any of the much anticipated Skwala stoneflies yet. Missoula Fly Fishing Report – March Trout Fishing. Dry Fly and rainbow.
Another guide sent me a video yesterday of a couple adults hiding under a big rock so the dry fly game will be starting soon. By the end of this week I think we should start seeing some afternoon dry fly opportunities. Weather forecast looks good too so I am excited to get back out there! Schedule Your Missoula Fly Fishing Report Trip Here
