Bitterroot River Fishing Report – July 27, 2025
Summer dry fly season is in full swing on the Bitterroot, and the river is fishing exactly how we love it—clear flows, hungry trout, and consistent topwater action. The combination of hoppers, PMDs, and Tricos is creating a dream scenario for dry fly enthusiasts. While midday heat is slowing things slightly, early morning spinner falls and mid-afternoon hopper takes are keeping anglers busy with plenty of surface eats. Our guides are reporting solid action from the upper stretches all the way to the confluence, with side channels producing some of the best sight-fishing of the summer.
Current Conditions
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Flows: Stable and clear across the system. Both float and wade anglers are finding easy access, and side channels are running just right.
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Water Temperature: Starting cool in the low 60s each morning, climbing to the high 60s by late afternoon. Targeting early and late windows will keep you in the best bite.
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Weather: Sunny, dry, and warm. Midday wind is helping to push terrestrials onto the water, which means hopper eats are explosive right now.
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Main River: Hoot owl restrictions are in affect from the confluence of the East and West Fork down to the mouth. You can view current river restrictions HERE.
What’s Hatching & What to Throw
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Hoppers: The main event right now. Patterns like Morrish Hopper, Thunder Thighs, and Pink Chubbies (sizes 8–12) are fooling aggressive cutthroat along grassy banks and foam lines.
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PMDs & Tricos: Early morning spinner falls and late evening dun hatches are rewarding those who fish smaller mayfly patterns such as Sparkle Duns, Rusty Spinners, and Parachute PMDs (sizes 16–20).
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Droppers: While dry flies are king, pairing a hopper with a beadhead like a Frenchie, Duracell Jig, or small Perdigon (sizes 14–18) is picking off deeper fish in midday lulls.
Pro Guide Tips
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Early Bird Advantage: Fish are sipping Tricos and PMDs at first light. A well-presented Rusty Spinner can make for a quick double-digit morning.
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Hopper Hunt: Midday is all about working those grassy edges, undercut banks, and slow seams with big foam bugs. Don’t be afraid to twitch them a bit—these trout want to eat.
The Bite is Peaking – Book Now
Our guides are dialed in on the Bitterroot right now, running early morning floats to beat the heat and mid-river hopper hunts in the afternoons. This is prime time for topwater takes, technical dry fly challenges, and unforgettable trout days. If you want to experience the Bitterroot at its summer best, give us a call or book online today—our late-July and early-August dates are going fast.
