6/18/2026: Bitterroot River Fishing Report
2026-06-18 (June 18, 2026)
Regional summary
Western Montana is settling into real early-summer fishing. Flows have kept dropping across the region, clarity is improving by the day, and the stonefly show is the headline: Salmonflies are winding down (now mostly upper reaches) while Golden Stones take over everywhere, joined by Green Drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and caddis filling the dry-fly windows. Big-bug dry-dropper fishing is the dominant game on all four rivers. Rock Creek and the Blackfoot are the standout dry-fly options; the Bitterroot is the safest all-around bet; the Clark Fork is improving and rewards careful water selection. Warm afternoons are in the forecast, so fish the late-morning-through-early-afternoon window and watch water temperatures.
At a glance: Dropping, clarity good and improving | 50-60°F | Darby ~1,480 CFS, Bell Crossing ~2,800-3,060 CFS, Missoula ~3,950 CFS | GH rating: 3/5 | MAngler: 4/5 | Best window: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Bitterroot is fishing well and is the safest all-around option in the region this week. Flows are dropping throughout the valley, the upper river is especially manageable, and the lower river is still carrying more volume but improving. Clarity has been good and water temps are warming into a productive range. Salmonflies are hanging on in the upper river and West Fork while Golden Stones start to show across the whole river; PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Green Drakes, caddis, and some BWOs are building. Most action is subsurface with dry-fly windows in the afternoon, especially along grassy banks, inside bends, soft seams, and side channels.
Hazard: lots of trees are down again this year and a few spots are dangerous; with the water dropping fast, log jams and debris are a serious floating hazard. Float cautiously and call a shop for current obstruction info.
Best techniques
Dry-dropper rigs are working well: a big Goldenstone, Chubby Chernobyl, or Water Walker up top with a stonefly nymph, San Juan Worm, or Frenchie dropped underneath. Subsurface, reach for TB Pat's, DB Stones, TJ Hookers, Jigglers, Duracells, and Blowtorches. Up top on the lower river try a Dancin' Ricky, Fool's Gold, Water Walker, or Chubby Chernobyl; for mayflies cover Brindlechutes, Purple Hazes, Hatchback Drakes, Carnage Drakes, and Ms. Tickles. Streamer fishing can be great: throw articulated Sparkle Yummies, Bangtails, or Shake and Bakes, or an olive or yellow Dungeon, Rusty Trombone, or Kreelex.
Hatches
Golden Stones, Salmonflies (upper river/West Fork), PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Green Drakes, and caddis.
The Fly Box
Nymphs: Zirdles, Psycho May, Split Case PMDs, Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, Duracells
Dries: Henry's Fork Foam Stone, Golden Plan B, Elk Hair Caddis, Jake's Hi-Vis CDC Caddis, MFC Royal Wulff, X-Caddis, Parachute Adams
Streamers: Sparkle Minnows, Sculpzilla, Thin Mint, Woolly Buggers, JJ Special
Outlook. Warm, mostly sunny conditions over the next couple of days with only a spotty thunderstorm chance heading into Friday; highs climb into the upper 70s and 80s through the week. Salmonflies are on the horizon for the mainstem and Goldenstones are right around the corner, which kickstarts the Bitterroot's excellent summer dry-fly season. Expect steadily improving fishing as runoff fades.
Sources and Thanks
| Shop | Report date | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Blackfoot River Outfitters | June 12, 2026 | All four rivers |
| Kingfisher Fly Shop | June 17, 2026 | All four rivers |
| Grizzly Hackle | June 13, 2026 | All four rivers |
| The Missoulian Angler | June 12, 2026 | All four rivers |
| Freestone Fly Shop | June 9, 2026 | Bitterroot |
| Lightweight Fly Shop | June 14, 2026 | All four rivers, consolidated |
