July Fishing Report | Fly Fishing Trips in Missoula with Missoula Fly Water

June wrapped up with a bang, delivering exceptional dry fly action on the Bitterroot River. Bitterroot stoneflies and PMD mayflies enticed some hefty browns out of their classic hiding spots to feed. As July rolled in, so did the heat, with temperatures climbing into the mid-90s. With the rising heat, river flows have continued to drop to base levels—or even below on some rivers. By early to mid-July, rising water temperatures triggered hoot owl restrictions on our local rivers, prompting meet times to shift to 6 a.m. or earlier. Despite the low flows and high temps, intermittent rain showers have provided some much-needed relief, helping the fish weather the summer heat.

Early July mornings on cloudy cool days offer photo opps when fish aren't stressed by heat and high water temps.

Spruce moths made an earlier-than-expected appearance on the Blackfoot River this July, kicking off some fantastic dry fly fishing. Trout couldn’t resist them—rising aggressively from deep holes to devour them like candy. Early mornings have also seen an uptick in nocturnal stonefly activity, with energetic, splashy takes on the surface. As the spruce moth hatch tapers off, we’ll soon enter the mid-summer "bug void," when the focus shifts to attractor patterns and terrestrials—our go-to options until the first tricos begin to show.

For beginners eager to get started, half-day trips are an ideal option right now for fly fishing around Missoula. They offer just the right amount of time for a solid introduction to the sport before the afternoon heat sets in. For more dedicated anglers, early morning meetups—often before 6 a.m.—are essential to take advantage of the active nocturnal bite.

As many of you know, the past few months have been challenging, but I'm very happy to share that I've fully recovered from myocarditis. Although I’ve been medically cleared, I’m taking some time to enjoy life and ease back into shape for the late summer season in Montana and the upcoming fall redfish season in Louisiana. I’ve started mountain biking again, and it’s incredibly reassuring to see my heart handling 175 bpm for extended stretches. More importantly, this experience has been a wake-up call—a reminder to focus on what I love and not get caught up in the little things. Looking forward to seeing you all soon.