Little Bugs

Missoula Fishing Report

Finally, fall is here, and we can all exhale (and inhale too).  After some good cold rains, the forest fire smoke has all but disappeared–and the mayflies have begun to pop.  Tricos, BWOs, Mahoganies, and tiny psuedos have blanketed the Clark Fork, ‘Root, and Blackfoot over the past several days.

That’s right, the real reasons for the season are here: long leaders, light tippets, and little bugs fed to rising trout will dominate our Missoula fishing for the next month or so.

Clark Fork River

Exceptional hatches and steadily rising fish on cloudy days.

Bitterroot River

Double dip with tricos in the morning and psuedos/mahoganies in the afternoon.

Blackfoot River

Not always thought of as a mayfly river, but the blue wings have been impressive up here in recent days.  Who knew the old Royal Wulff still caught fish!?

Will the big bugs still play?

For sure. October caddis, nocturnal stones, and hoppers will still turn some of the rivers’ biggest fish, but safe money will be on parachutes, cripples, and comparaduns for the duration of the season.  Tie your leaders long, find a long-floating imitation, put it at the end of a reach cast — or mend it and befriend it — and let that mayfly ride!