Clark Fork River
The Clark Fork River is one of our most requested rivers. Seasonally, it provides anglers with a variety of choices, from aquatic bug life to scenic views and a lack of angling pressure. The river is divided into two sections: the upper river, which flows east to west starting above Deer Lodge and continues toward Missoula, and the lower section, which begins east of Missoula where the Bitterroot River joins and continues for 130 miles into Idaho.

The upper river is smaller, featuring more braids and channels, along with obstacles such as downed trees and undercut banks that provide excellent trout habitat. The lower Clark Fork is the largest river in our drainage and offers fantastic dry fly fishing, as well as pike fishing in certain areas.

It is consistently a go-to choice for our anglers throughout most of the fishing season, contending with some of the best stonefly and mayfly hatches in the area. The best times to fish the Clark Fork are in late spring and throughout the summer, usually starting around July. My favorite time to fish the Clark Fork is August, during the peak nocturnal stonefly hatch and the hopper bite.

Bitterroot River
The Bitterroot River is considered one of Montana’s most pristine trout fishing waters, flowing through the valley with the towering peaks of the Bitterroot Mountains in the background. We often start our season on this river due to its early stonefly activity. Late March is an excellent time to experience some of the best Skwala fly fishing Montana has to offer, with the bite typically peaking around mid-April, accompanied by fantastic mayfly hatches throughout the spring season.

The upper stretches of the Bitterroot offer more cutthroat trout, higher fish numbers, and a smaller river size, making it ideal for anglers of all levels. The lower stretches, below Hamilton, begin to widen and can produce some of the biggest trout in our local drainages.

Mid-June through late July is a prime time for Bitterroot stonefly and mayfly fishing. Our in-depth knowledge of the river allows us to stay flexible with float plans and keep clients in quieter areas with less traffic. My favorite time to fish the Bitterroot is April for the Skwala hatch and July to catch the golden stones and Bitterroot stonefly hatch.

Blackfoot River
The Big Blackfoot is one of our most well-known rivers, offering breathtaking views, giant fish, and great fish numbers—this river has it all. Originating high in the mountains north of Missoula, it produces some of our largest brown trout and rainbows. The best time to fish the Blackfoot is from mid-June through the end of summer.

Salmonflies and golden stones fill the willow-lined banks, and it’s not uncommon to find yourself in the middle of an incredible hatch with fast-moving water and scenic cliff walls and mountains. Early spring provides a few opportunities to catch hungry giants feeding on stonefly nymphs, but the river truly hits its stride in June.

Mayflies, stoneflies, streamers, and crayfish patterns are commonly used on the Blackfoot, offering excellent opportunities for beginners to catch high numbers of trout while providing technical dry fly and streamer fishing challenges for more advanced anglers. My favorite time to fish the Blackfoot is June through July for the BIG stoneflies.

Missouri River
The Missouri River is our go-to tailwater within driving distance of Missoula. This 40-mile stretch, which we fish seasonally, is a phenomenal option for anglers of all skill levels. Holding more than 7,000 fish per mile, the Missouri offers opportunities to catch larger-than-average fish, along with impressive numbers for those looking to keep their rods bent. It’s not uncommon to see fish over 20 inches, and some of our biggest brown trout come from this world-class tailwater.

Originating in Three Forks and flowing through several reservoirs, most of our fishing takes place in the small town of Craig, MT, below Holter Dam. The upper stretch below the dam winds through a landscape reminiscent of an old western movie, while further downstream, the canyon provides stunning cliffside scenery and lush green hills.

This river is an excellent option for mid-spring fishing in Montana. Mayfly fishing can be incredibly productive, with blanket hatches of BWOs throughout May. As water and air temperatures rise in June, PMD and caddis hatches become more frequent. The Missouri is a reliable backup when spring flows get too high in Missoula, offering a consistent fishing experience. I also spend a good portion of May and early June targeting fish here for clients who want to dedicate their entire trip to the Missouri.

My favorite time to fish the Missouri is May, during the BWO hatch.

Rock Creek
Rock Creek is our go-to river for the early part of June. With much of the Missoula drainage running too high and muddy, we head to the upper forks of Rock Creek, where prolific Salmonfly hatches provide excellent fishing opportunities.

Flowing south to north through the mountains, Rock Creek is one of the most wild and scenic stretches we float. While our trips are limited to the upper, non-permitted areas, we consistently provide great opportunities for our clients to pursue trout.

Rock Creek boasts high numbers of cutthroat, brown, and rainbow trout, making it a fantastic option for both walk-and-wade fishing and a high-mountain escape from cell service.

My favorite time to fish Rock Creek is during the first two weeks of June, when the Salmonflies are at their peak.