Bitterroot River Fishing Report, June 20, 2026

2026-06-20 (June 20, 2026)

Regional summary

Western Montana is into real early summer fishing now. The rivers have paid spring's toll of high water, and the payout is under way: flows keep dropping across the region, clarity improves by the day, and the stonefly show is the headline. Salmonflies are winding down (now mostly the 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 has turned the corner and is fishing well. Warm afternoons are in the forecast, so fish the late morning through early afternoon window and watch water temperatures.

At a glance: Slightly off color, clarity good and improving | 50 to 60°F | Darby ~1,480 CFS, Bell Crossing ~2,800 to 3,060 CFS, Missoula ~3,950 to 4,000 CFS | Grizzly Hackle quality rating: 3/5 | Missoulian Angler rating: 4/5 | Best window: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Float hazard, region-wide. 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 information.

The Bitterroot is still fishing well and is the safest all-around option in the region. Riffle edges, tailouts, and soft bank seams are loaded with feeding fish. Golden Stones and PMDs are the hatches happening across the river, with Salmonflies hanging on in the upper river and West Fork; Yellow Sallies, Green Drakes, caddis, and some BWOs are building. The snow at high elevation has started to melt, so the Root saw a jump in flows but should level out and fish well. Most action is subsurface, with dry fly windows in the afternoon.

Best techniques

Dry dropper rigs are the best approach: hit the banks and woody structure with a Chubby Chernobyl, Plan B, or golden Juicy Stone trailing a Frenchie, Copper Top Duracell, Jig TNT PMD, or TJ Hooker. Subsurface, reach for TB Pat's, DB Stones, Jigglers, SJ Worms, and Blowtorches. Up top for mayflies cover Brindlechutes, Purple Hazes, Hatchback Drakes, Carnage Drakes, and Ms. Tickles. Streamer fishing can be strong: throw something flashy like a Kreelex, Sparkle Minnow, or Goldie, or an articulated Sparkle Yummy, Bangtail, or Shake and Bake.

Hatches

Golden Stones, PMDs, Salmonflies (upper river/West Fork), 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, Water Walker, Elk Hair Caddis, On Point Para Wulff, Film Critic, Flash Cripple, X-Caddis, Parachute Adams

Streamers: Sculpzilla, Thin Mint, Woolly Buggers, Dungeons

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. As the bump in flows levels off and runoff fades, expect steadily improving fishing and the Bitterroot's excellent summer dry fly season to settle in.

Sources and Thanks

Shop	Report date	Coverage
Kingfisher Fly Shop	June 19, 2026	All four rivers
Grizzly Hackle	June 13, 2026	All four rivers
The Missoulian Angler	June 12, 2026	All four rivers (about one week stale)
Freestone Fly Shop	June 9, 2026	Bitterroot (about ten days stale)
Lightweight Fly Shop	June 14, 2026	All four rivers