It’s always hard to work on a sunny day. Early summer in Montana has the
Bitterroot Valley radiating in all her glory. The late summer days can get
hot, but today is going to peak at about 81 degrees and the river is
starting to fish well. I’m only going to make it at this desk until 5
o’clock.
Fly fishing on the Bitterroot River really begins in
March with the Skwala hatch. Like many freestone rivers in the West, the
Bitterroot has a healthy stonefly population. The Skwala comes first and
then is followed by the Goldens and the Salmonfly. Yellow Sallies and
Bitterroot Stones are other hatches that occur through most of the summer.
The Salmonflies are strongest on the upper end of the river and that’s where
I’m heading tonight.
Following the stoneflies are a variety of mayflies,
caddis and hoppers. Check in with the local fly shops to find out what’s
working best.
The early summer days in western Montana are almost
Artic in length. Tonight I’ll be able to fish until nearly 10. My
destination is Spring Gulch Campground on the East Fork of the Bitterroot
River. This fork follows Highway 93 south of Darby to the small town of Sula.
The East Fork has been manipulated by the construction of the highway, but
still provides some excellent wade fishing opportunities. And though the
fish are smaller on average than the main Bitterroot River or the West Fork,
a lucky fisherman can still coax the occasional hog to the surface.
Fly fishing has fast become a booming industry in the
Bitterroot Valley. Hundreds of fishing guides work on the entire length of
the river, including the two forks. And according to industry experts, the
tourism associated with river recreation bring millions of dollars each year
into the valley’s economy.
Wading or floating the river can be a quick and easy
get away from the daily grind. Since the river flows through or near every
town in the valley, good fishing is usually just minutes from your door.
The Bitterroot is a relatively slow river. It’s easy to
float and fish with just a little preparation and guidance from any local
fly shop or sporting goods store. However, the river can also be
deceptively dangerous. This gentle river flows mainly through pine and
cottonwood bottoms. This woody material provides important homes for fish
and aquatic life, but they can also be dangerous to unsuspecting floaters. A
little caution and preparation can go a long way.
The Bitterroot River has all the characteristics of a
great trout stream – deep cutbanks, long riffles, gravel bars, long deep
holes, and braided channels. The average trout on the Bitterroot is about 14
inches, but 18 to 20 inch fish are not uncommon. Plus access is not a
problem with nearly 30 official access points along the entire river.
So now it’s my turn to get away. Thirty minutes after
walking out my door, I’ll be waist deep in the East Fork with (hopefully) my
rod bent on beautiful Cutthroat Trout. Happy Fishing.
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