Posts by Anthony VonRuden

Great Fall Mayfly fishing conditions exist right now!   Hatches of Mahogonies and Blue Winged Olives (or Baetis) can be found on all Missoula rivers in the afternoon hours.  The best dry fly fishing has been from about 2:00 until 5:00 pm most days.  Sight fishing to rising fish has been good but can be […]

We now have more water in our Missoula rivers from last weeks rain and less demand for irrigation.  The Bitterroot River has tripled in size but is on the drop now.  More water in the river coupled with hatches of Mahogonies and Blue Wing Olives should produce some good stuff in the next few weeks.  […]

Fishing has been good the last few days on the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers.  We have seen less mayfly activity than one would expect given the current weather conditions but the fish are still looking for bigger grasshopper and large attractor patterns.  Fishing with deep droppers has helped keep action more consistent.  Keep an […]

The Blackfoot River and its tributaries are now open to fishing again.  Flows are stable with cooler weather on tap, which should increase flows as the demand for irrigation water decreases.  Fishing should be pretty darn good on the Blackfoot these days.  These fish haven’t seen an artificial fly since the closure on September 4th.  […]

We are slowly starting the transition into fall fishing mode on all Missoula area rivers.  Water temps are beginning to drop as the nights get longer and cooler. We have been fishing both the Bitterroot and Clark Fork the last few days.  On the Bitterroot you can expect to see a lot of fish rising […]

Fishing has been hit or miss lately in the summer heat but some nice fish are still being caught.  Fish are looking for Grasshopper patterns and there are a few Tricos around in the mornings.  Some days the fish want smaller hopper patterns or other terrestrials but sticking to your guns with a bigger hopper […]

We are in summer mode on the Blackfoot, Bitterroot, and Clark Fork Rivers.  To beat the heat we are still fishing early in the morning and trying to get off the river by mid afternoon.  The two cloudy days we had earlier this week produced some awesome fishing.  Dry fly fishing has still been the […]

Fishing has been good in the morning the last couple of days.  There are plenty of PMD Mayflies and small Stoneflies hatching on the Bitterroot and Blackfoot Rivers.  The dry fly fishing has been good until the heat wave sets in during the afternoon hours.  Its best to try and beat the heat these days….We […]

Clouds and wet weather bring us size 8 mayflies!  Green Drakes can be found hatching on all Missoula rivers.  Hatches of Golden Stones, PMD’s, Caddis, and a few Salmonflies can also be found.  Missoula river conditions are good and so is the fly fishing.  Some pictures from this week………….

Overall the fishing has been pretty good on the Blackfoot River.  On the cloudy days the dry fly fishing has been outstanding later in the day.  In the bright sun the dry fly fishing has been spotty but there are still a few nice fish willing to come up to the surface.  Salmonflies are still […]