Currently/ Mid May 2025 the Bitterroot, Clark Fork, and the Blackfoot rivers are in full Spring runoff and flowing at near flood stage. Chocolate brown with the occasional tree, tire, and drowned cow floating by would be my fishing/ river description after a couple of days in the mid 80’s and warm nights. You might find some northern pike in backwater sloughs at high flows like this. Some guides find clear springs in these conditions. These last couple of days our local mainstream rivers have become high and dangerous with new woody debris gathering. West of the the continental divide rivers are out for a while but not too long. Rock Creek, the west fork of the Bitterroot, the east fork of the Bitterroot, and the St Regis river will be the first fishable water here in days to weeks. (St Regis is closed to fishing until 3rd Saturday in May, FYI).
Earlier this Spring the fishing was typically unpredictable based on weather. The Bitterroot was really good in March. The flows were great, bugs pretty good, skwala hatches were excellent some days, especially on cloudy warm days. The river did blow out early but settled back in nicely. It was fun head hunting with little to medium dry flies. I also spent quite a few days guiding in April and early May on the Missouri river near Craig MT. That river is like it has been the last 25 years I’ve guided it Awesome!
I did get stuck in an April snowstorm on Rogers Pass. I was going to haul my camper over but luckily decided not to at the last minute. It was wicked there with a jack knifed Diesel blocking the road for a short time. I just put my truck in 4 x 4 mode and tugged my boat up and over a half a foot of fresh snow. It’s not the first time and probably won’t be the last.
If you hate having 20 inch rainbows and browns bending your rod all day and dislike nymphing then you should avoid the MO at all costs. Last week, after moderate rain we had windows of excellent larger brown mayfly hatches and some BWO’s popping and fish were really grabby. In the nymphing world trout did transition from egg pattern czechs, pill poppers, the fire bead game to a more typical sow bug, bwo nymph, green machine set up. Perdigons and some midge stuff also seem to be working well on the MO recently.
One outfitter who guides for us occasionally has the lake game figured out and recently crushed a bunch of big rainbows rowing on our kinda local lakes with some of our longtime guests. Thanks for the help Bobby!
I’m guiding about 20 days on the Mo this May and June so hopefully the flows will be good, Dearborn not pushing too much mud, etc. We shall see. I’m excited to see you guys and don’t forget what Bob Marley says so “Lively up yourself”!
Best regards -Brooks and family from Troutzoola
