Dry Fly Fishing

Dry Fly Fishing on the Bitterroot River

Dry Fly Fishing Monday I was out with long-time angler, Chris. He really favors dry fly fishing so we met later and launched on a stretch of the Bitterroot near Hamilton. We started with a single Skwala dry and Chris got an eat on his very first cast and then landed a cutthroat on his […]

Dry Fly Fishing on the Bitterroot

Dry Fly Fishing on the Bitterroot

Dry Fly Fishing on the Bitterroot My kids are on spring break this week so I took the opportunity on Tuesday to get out with my son, Thomas, and my dad on the Bitterroot. Dad had the hot hand early as he picked up a couple of nice brown trout in the first few runs […]

Secrets of Summer Fishing

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August is our slowest month of the fishing season in Missoula.  The risk of forest fires and fishing restrictions have caused anglers to shy away from what used to be one of our more popular times.  It is certainly understandable, but for the anglers willing to gamble on August there are some secrets of summer […]

Summer Fishing Season in Missoula

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Summer fishing season has finally arrived in Missoula!  A big snow year combined with a cool and wet spring resulted in high water all through May and June.  There were some great moments, but we did not see consistent dry fly fishing like we always hope for in June.   That has changed.  All the […]

Hero or Zero Season

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Hero or zero season has finally arrived in western Montana.  At least that’s how I like to think about this time period when the rivers are finally dropping, but there are still a lot of questions about the fishing.  In the next 10 days or so I am fairly certain that I will see some […]

Skwala Hatch – All Hype or Real Deal

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The Skwala hatch has become one of the most celebrated events in western Montana in recent years.  A quick look through social media channels on any March day will reveal fly shops, fishing guides, lodges, and every millennial with a set of waders boasting about the now famous skwala hatch.   Is the hype just […]

Spring Fishing Season

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The spring fishing season has finally arrived in Missoula!  Old Man Winter has relaxed his grip just enough to make fishing enjoyable again.  I am certain that we haven’t seen the end of winter yet, but we have strung together enough 40+ degree days to get things moving in the right direction. The extra daylight […]

Hoot Owl and Smokey Bear – Fishing Missoula

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Hoot Owl fishing restrictions have ended in Missoula, but Smokey Bear is still on the prowl with a number of forest fires in the area.  Our weather has cooled off some and dropped water temperatures into acceptable, and even optimal ranges for fly fishing.  5 and 6 am meet times are no longer necessary as […]