07-28-2004, 04:30 PM
Bitterroot River - July 24th, 2004
supplied by: [url "http://www.fisheyesoup.com/redir.php?recKey=78,re"]The Kingfisher[/url]
FISHING: Good
River Levels [[url "http://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/current?type=dailystagedischarge&group_key=NONE&search_site_no_station_nm=Bitterroot+River"]click here[/url]]
Bitterroot River Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1141176468612&begmeas=0&endmeas=84.2779998779297"]click here[/url]]
West Fork Bitterroot Montana FWP Guide [[url "http://www.fwp.state.mt.us/fishing/guide/report.aspx?llid=1141267459398&begmeas=0&endmeas=42.326000213623"]click here[/url]]
REPORTS: The upper river, while low, is fishing the best. The clear nights of late have allowed the water temperatures on most of the local rivers to begin dropping finally. The hatches are still not what they were, but at least the bug activity is increasing. The upper river (all the way up The West Fork is seeing decent PMD, caddis and hopper activity. The tricos have begun on the mid to lower river at this point, but they're just getting going. Look for your best fishing to be early in the day untill about 1 p.m. using such offerings as #14 royal Wulffs, parachute Adams, red humpies, etc... Rainy's and Dave's hoppers are also a good option right now. Jason might suggest a Chernobyl since that what he used with clients yesterday to land a TAPED, MEASURED and yes PHOTOGRAPHED 27 3/4" rainbow. Wow, catach a couple of those and it'd be a good day! ; )
HATCHES: Midges, caddis, yellow sallies, giant goldens, PMDs,terrestrials.
FLIES: Golden stones of several varities such as Rogue, parachute madam Xs, or bulletheads. Parachute adams are always a good standby on this river in sizes 12 to 18. There will be lots of PMDs now, so have appropriately sized comparaduns, thorax ties, button emergers, etc... Have some Goddard and elk hair caddis for the evening hatch. Keep some smaller green and red bodied nymphs such as brassies if the fish won't play on top.
WEATHER: TODAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 89 TO 94 TONIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 51 TO 56 SUNDAY...SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS 91 TO 96. SUNDAY NIGHT...SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS... PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 54 TO 59. MONDAY...SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. PARTLY CLOUDY. HIGHS 82 TO 87. MONDAY NIGHT AND TUESDAY...PARTLY CLOUDY... LOWS 49 TO 54... HIGHS 78 TO 83. TUESDAY NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY...SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS. PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS 48 TO 53. HIGHS 78 TO 83. WEDNESDAY NIGHT THROUGH THURSDAY NIGHT...MOSTLY CLEAR... LOWS 50 TO 55. HIGHS 80 TO 85. FRIDAY...MOSTLY SUNNY... HIGHS 82 TO 87
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Fishing early in the day is your best bet at this stage of the game.