June Fishing Report | Missoula Fly Water | Missoula Fly Fishing Guides

As May drew to a close, it became clear we were heading into another low-water year, marked by record-high temperatures in early June. With river flows continuing to drop during the hottest days and warmest nights, it was evident that runoff had come to an end. While many guides remained booked on the Missouri River through early June, the fishing around Missoula was phenomenal—just as it has been for the past several seasons.

Traditionally, the Blackfoot River hits it's peak salmon fly hatch in the second to third week of June. However, recent warming trends have pushed that window earlier—to late May and the first week of June—making timing more unpredictable. By mid-June, the Blackfoot had dropped below 2,000 cfs and was running crystal clear, signaling the close of this year’s already brief prime fishing window. Sunny days and increased boat traffic can bring inconsistent fishing conditions on the Blackfoot, but anglers may still find success during the secondary salmon fly emergence.

Luke Davis with a willow bank salmon fly eater on the Blackfoot

By Mid June, the Bitterroot River was flowing at 3,200 cfs and steadily declining by 200–300 cfs per day. Although the flows remained too strong for mid-river dry fly presentations, the upper sections were producing consistent surface action. Dropper rigs were especially effective for targeting big fish in the right spots.

Meanwhile, the Clark Fork River maintained mostly clear visibility throughout June as it steadily receded from a peak of 20,000 cfs at St Regis. Once flows reached an optimal level, dry fly fishing on our guided trips was exceptional, yielding strong, acrobatic rainbows throughout the day.

The recent rainfall has been a major boost for both our river flows and fishing conditions heading into July. Fishing has remained steady throughout the day, with PMDs and golden stone flies being the main focus on all of our rivers. The extended forecast is looking favorable, with highs staying in the mid-80s well into July— more manageable than the triple-digit heat we faced last season. As summer progresses, our meeting times will shift earlier to help guides avoid the heat and prioritize fish safety.

On a personal note, I’m feeling great and expect to be cleared to return to work soon from my bout with myocarditis. I want to extend a big thank you to all the guides who stepped up to cover my trips—they worked hard and did an outstanding job. It was great to get to know so many truly fantastic Missoula fly fishing guides and I look forward to guiding and working with them in the future. If you want to get out on the water, give us a call. There are many openings throughout the summer with some great Missoula fishing guides.