One of the prettiest rivers on the planet! The river carves its way through the magnificent Bitterroot valley, just south of Missoula. It may be one of the most diverse flyfishing rivers in western Montana. Browns, rainbows and cutthroats abound and all can be taken readily on dry flies.

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Key Hatches & Dates:

SKWALAS/MARCH BROWNS (mid March-April)
This hatch is quickly becoming a favorite among fly fisherman that are in the know. Skwala stones are big and the trout that eat them are big,too. This is the best time of year to catch a trophy brown on a dry. Book early because this window fills up fast.

GOLDEN STONES/GREEN DRAKES (mid June-July)
Runoff ends in western Montana about this time and the wild trout are on the prowl. Big stones and huge mayflies blanket the river and the fishing can be great. Add some nice weather and the recipe for a great Missoula flyfishing vacation is complete.

HECUBA/MAHOGONIES/BAETIS (August-October)
The trout sense the coming winter and feed accordingly.

Lewis & Clark couldn't have been wrong! Call it the Copper Express, the Clark Fork has had a sordid past. It also happens to be the most resilient river in Montana and it is a sleeper. Just ask any Missoula flyfishing local and they will tell you; Clark Fork. It offers so much fishing with ample peace and quiet.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK STREAM FLOW OF MONTANA RIVERS

Key Hatches & Dates:

SKWALAS/BAETIS (mid March - April)
This is the time to see the monsters up and rising. With skwalas, baeties, amelitus,and march browns it is not uncommon to see every fish in the river rising at the same time! Please book early for this period. Our best guides get taken quickly.

GOLDEN STONES and GREEN DRAKES (mid June -mid July)
Is Missoula on the fishing map? No! And thank goodness. This would be the time of year that would show up. Every guide in western Montana loves this time of year because they all put fish in their boats. Big water and big bugs, if you’ve never seen a green drake hatch you need to. This particular mayfly is truly a work of art.

ACRONEURIA/BAETIS (mid July- October)
If playing the small fly is you thing then this is the river. The Clark Fork is host to terrific mayfly hatches. Glassy glides and big foam swirlies make for very technical dry fly angling. On those days when the baetis don’t show, the trout will still be focused on the acroneuria stones and come up to crush an imitation. This time period is the true fisherman’s season and the “Fork” will please and challenge the most experienced anglers.

We fish until the first (and last) snow flies. We have mittens and we wear ‘em!

This is the river featured in the movie "A River Runs Through It". The Blackfoot offers many unique opportunities for flyfishing in western montana. Whitewater and a pristine drainage tell the story that Norman Maclean wrote about so many years ago. The Big Blackfoot is one of the classic Montana flyfishing rivers to be be experienced at any time of the year.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK STREAM FLOW OF MONTANA RIVERS

Key Hatches & Dates:

SALMONFLIES (June-early July)
This is the big one. The trout turn into aquatic wolves and flyfishing mayhem ensues. Big browns, cutts, and rainbows literally attack size 4 dries. This is arguably the best salmon fly fishing in the state. Book early because it fills fast.

GOLDEN STONES (late June-late July)
This is the time to see some of those big rainbows and cutts peel up from 10 feet down and eat a big fly. These moments are heart-stoppers, and to see it all unfold before your eyes is memorable. We love this hatch.

HOPPERS (July-mid Sept)
A soft twitch-twitch and a toilet bowl flushes on your fly. The battle is on and it happens over and over, all day long.

SPRING STREAMERS (April-mid June)
The old adage”big fly, big fish” still holds true on the “foot”. This is the best time and place to catch that fish of a life time. Big bunny flies on big lines break up a spring skwala trip very well.

The Missouri will challenge all anglers and is a favorite in our book. Russell country provides a dramatic backdrop for the finest Montana tail water flyfishing experience. Tricos’ caddis and PMD's blanket the water, as well as prolific baetis and midge hatches. We focus on the “Mo” from mid-april to late may and again during the dog days of summer. It should be noted that spring and fall streamer fishing rivals any other river at any time. Come and see what we love about this legendary river.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK STREAM FLOW OF MONTANA RIVERS

Key Hatches & Dates:

Baetis, Caddis and even Skwalas (mid April to late May)

Caddis, PMD's, Triocos (late June into August)

White Zonkers, Eoolheads, etc. (Spring and Fall)

This creek boasts more fish per mile than any other Missoula area river! The fishing is surpassed only by the beautiful setting through which this stream flows. Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep are just a few of the residents you can expect to meet. This is a fly fishers paradise. Let Renegade Flyfishing Outfitters share with you the drainage that so many are passionate about. Book early because this river is prime in June and dates book quickly.

CLICK HERE TO CHECK STREAM FLOW OF MONTANA RIVERS

Key Hatches & Dates

Salmon flies and Salmon flies And more Salmon flies! (mid May through June)
They come off here better than anywhere else in western Montana. Big and juicy, the trout go mad for these huge stones. Add to that large hatches of golden stoneflies, caddis, PMD's and Green Drakes and the stage is set for incredible fishing.