Year-round Fishing in Scenic Splendor

The crystal-clear Bitterroot River begins in the high mountain canyons of western Montana and flows north through the scenic Bitterroot Valley. The river gets its name from the petite pink flowers that grow in the high meadows throughout the Valley. The Salish Indians once used the roots of the flowers as a starch in their diet. It is rumored that years ago two horses would be a good trade for a bag of Bitterroots.

The West Fork of the River flows east from the Montana-Idaho border past Indian petroglyphs and Painted Rocks Reservoir. The East Fork flows west from the Anaconda Pintlar Wilderness through the meadows near the settlement of Sula where Lewis and Clark and The Corp of Discovery found Sacagawea's tribe members. This area is known as Ross's Hole and is beautifully depicted by Charlie Russel's famous painting of their meeting, the original of which is displayed in Montana's Capital Building in Helena.

Access to both of the River's forks is from paved Forest Service roadways with numerous parking pull-outs. The canyon scenery is spectacular with jagged rock outcroppings, and a great sense of privacy as part of the fishing experience. Mountain sheep, moose, and deer are abundant in these canyons. Rainbow and cutthroat trout average 14 to 16 inches. Catch and release regulations are making 18 to 22 inch trout more common.

Wade fishing is fairly easy with lots of boulders, natural structures, and pools. Rafts or pontoon boats can also be used on the West Fork from late June through early August. While not a classified whitewater river, rafters should check with local fly shops for river information before floating due to the changes in channels and deadfall obstructions.

The East Fork and the West Fork merge into the main River approximately two miles downstream of the small community of Conner. There, the angler will find good gravel bars and quality riffles with cottonwood lined grassy banks. Above the river in this section towers Trapper Peak in all it's glory. Estimated at 10,157 feet, Trapper Peak is the tallest in the Bitterroot Mountain Range and makes a fine backdrop at the Hannon access point off U.S. Highway 93.

The main river is wide and braided with many side channels offering a diverse landscape. Some of the side channels can be tricky for floaters with irrigation weirs that require portage. The River access parking areas are located every two or three miles.  Montana Stream Access Law allows fisherman to access the river and walk below the high water mark of all navigable waterways. Check local maps and customs to be sure if certain side waters have a private designation. Fishing access points are clearly marked along  U.S. Highway 93.

Deep holes in the river offer excellent brown trout fishing in addition to rainbows, cutthroat, and occasional brookies. Whitefish are present in the river also and are a source of winter fishing pleasure for many. Water levels have been very good in the recent years with near normal snow pack and good summer rains.

The influence of irrigation demands is noticeable with lower water levels as the river flows northward through vast acres of hayfields in Stevensville and Florence. But the many large creeks that cascade from the western mountains add water throughout the summer. The Bitterroot Chapter of Trout Unlimited has been very active in protecting in-stream flows for recreational use and scenic value. Check a local fly shop to see which section of the river is fishing well and plan to see it all over time.

Unlike many western waters, the Bitterroot River is fishable year-round. The general trout season runs from mid May into Fall, but the river is also open to fishing in the Winter and Spring for whitefish and catch-and-release for trout.

While some anglers enjoy presenting spinners and bait in the sections that allow it, flyfishing is dominant. Both wet and dry patterns are effective. Popular dry flies include mayflies, caddis, stoneflies, humpies, salmonflies, drakes and  hoppers. Attractor patterns such as the Royal Wulff are also effective.  Western patterns are preferred as they tend to have more hackle and float better than their eastern cousins. Be sure to use floatant in the riffles to keep the fly high and dry.

The Bitterroot River has two really spectacular hatches -- the skwala hatch in the early spring and the salmonfly hatch in late May and June. The skwala patterns vary greatly but generally are large # 6 to # 8 stonefly patterns which ride low in the water with a long and narrow profile. Color is mostly olive with a long wing shape along the back of the fly. The salmonfly patterns are also widely varied but generally are well-hackled,  # 6 to # 8 in size, and salmon to orangish in body color.

John Foust's famous "Freddie" pattern is a must! For beautifully tied flies, information, and a fun filled guide service, contact John at Fly Fishing Always or visit John's wesite at www.flyfishingalways.com. A link to John's site is available inside this website in the section marked Area Recreation in the fishing notations. There is also a great photo gallery of happy fisherman and lovely trout on his site.

The two major hatches represent trout gluttony at it's finest. At the height of the hatch, presentation is of little concern. The fish are aggressive and success is nearly assured. just perfect for the novice fisherman or those of us who like a lot of action.

What the Bitterroot River may lack in fish per mile it makes up for with ease of access and strong bright trout waiting to be caught under the watchful towering peaks of the scenic Bitterroot Mountains. The beauty of the Sapphire Mountain Range and the Bitterroot Mountain Range, the vast irrigated hayfields, clear trout waters with colorful cottonwoods, and Montana's big blue sky will remain long after the last trout is released.

When Robert Traver wrote the Testamant of a Fisherman, he said it best:

"I fish because I love to: because I love the environs where trout are found, which are invariably beautiful. Because mercifully there are no phones on trout waters; because only in the woods can I find solitude without loneliness.Because one day I will catch a mermaid and finally not because I regard fishing as being so terribly important but because I suspect that so many of the other cares of men are equally unimportant and not nearly so much fun."

Come enjoy a day fishing the Bitteroot River and then visit us at We Lead the Way Group  and tell us about your trout. because none of us fish enough but enjoy fishing through the stories of others.