Missoula Fly Water | March Fishing Report | Missoula Fly Fishing Trips

March has been a dynamic start to the fly fishing season in Missoula. A record snowfall in mid-month boosted the local snow pack to 100%, setting things up nicely for summertime Missoula fly fishing trips. However, that was quickly followed by a three-day heatwave that sent flows on the Bitterroot River surging to peak levels. As temperatures dropped again, with nighttime lows dipping below 41°F, flows began to recede, only to rise once more after a stretch of 60-degree days and mild nights around 47°F. At one point, flows on the middle Bitterroot reached 4,000 cfs, shutting down the dry fly bite for a few days but creating excellent conditions for a strong worm bite.

Bob with a brown trout

We spent a few days upriver above Hamilton when flows in the middle river were less than ideal and still found some excellent dry fly action. With cooler nights in the extended forecast, the Bitterroot should settle into prime dry fly conditions soon. Right now, with flows around 3,000 cfs, dry fly water is limited, but fish are still willing to rise in the right seams and softer currents. Rowing these higher early season flows can be a shock to the shoulders for any Missoula guide, but most long bank seems to hold a 10–20 foot stretch of slower water. If you can show them the fly first before the line, there’s a good chance a fish will confidently sip that skwala.

As flows continue to drop into shape for the first week of April, we’re set up for some exceptional dry fly fishing. The higher water has kept pressure off the fish, and the hatch has slowed after its early March burst. Once flows on the middle river dip below 2,000 cfs, conditions should line up nicely, the fish will be happy, and my shoulders will be too.

With the snow pack currently around 80%, we could be looking at another solid May, with prime Missoula fly fishing lining up toward the end of the month and into early June. I still have a few open dates during that window, if you’ve got the time let’s get out on the water.