Bitterroot River Fishing Report – March 7, 2025
Current Conditions:
Spring is knocking on the door in Western Montana, and the Bitterroot River is waking up. Flows are stable, with some variability due to recent snowmelt, but overall, the river is in good shape. Water temperatures are creeping into the low 40s, which means trout are becoming more active, especially during the warmest parts of the day.
Hatches & Fly Recommendations:
- Midges – Early mornings and evenings are seeing solid midge hatches. Try small Griffith’s Gnats (#18-22) or Zebra Midges under an indicator.
- Skwala Stoneflies – We’re on the verge of prime Skwala season! We've yet to spot any adults but tossing a Skwala dry (Rogue Stone #10 or Water Walker Olive #10) in the afternoon might get some early interest.
- Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) – Cloudy afternoons are bringing spotty BWOs. Go with Parachute Adams (#16-18) or a Sparkle Dun for surface action.
- Nymphs & Streamers – For consistency, nymphing remains productive. Pat’s Rubber Legs (#8-10), Pheasant Tails (#14-16), and Perdigons are working well. Slow-stripped streamers like Mini Dungeons, Sparkle Minnows, or Sculpzillas are a great bet for targeting aggressive fish.
Tactics & Tips:
- Focus on slower, deeper runs in the morning, then shift to riffles and seams as the water warms.
- Mid-day and early afternoon are prime for dry fly action, especially on warmer days.
- If fish aren’t rising, a dropper rig with a Skwala dry and a small nymph below can be deadly.
- Watch for Skwalas crawling on the banks—once they start consistently showing up, the dry fly bite will heat up fast!
Access & Conditions:
Most public access points are open, but some sections may still have ice along the banks, particularly on the East and West Forks. Wading can be tricky in certain spots, so use caution. Flows will fluctuate with snowmelt, so keep an eye on the gauges.
Outlook:
The next couple of weeks should see increasing Skwala activity, making it one of the best times of the year to fish the Bitterroot. Get ready for some exciting early-season dry fly action!
Need gear, flies, or a guided trip? Stop by Freestone Fly Shop—we’ll get you set up with everything you need!
Tight lines,
Jeff Gray
Freestone Fly Shop
