Western Montana is blessed with a wide diversity of hatches.
The three major insects (caddis, mayfly and stonefly) are all present in varying degrees of importance.

 

Blackfoot River
"Eventually all things merge into one and a A River Runs Through It". This is the one!

The good news is that after facing years of environmental problems, the Blackfoot is re-ataining most of the things which made it famous.

Cutting through some of the most beautiful mountains in Western Montana, don't be surprised to see a Big Horn Sheep or Golden Eagle watching as you're fighting a large Brown or Bull Trout!

If you're looking for some fantastic scenery, a little white water, some better than average fishing, and the chance of watching wildlife, don't pass up an opportunity to float the Blackfoot River.

 

 

 

Clark Fork River
Perhaps the best kept secret of all our rivers. The Clark Fork offers big water, and thick shouldered fish!

From it's headwaters near Warm Springs . . . where Brown Trout in the 30"+ category are taken . . . to the waters below Missoula . . . where huge pods of Rainbows and Cutbows in the 18" to 20" class reside . . . there's a reason the people of Montana want the Clark Fork to remain a 'Best Kept Secret'.

Though knowledge of this river is a must if you want to fish it, anyone visiting the Rocky Mountains for a fly fishing vacation, should spend at least one crisp fall day on the Clark Fork!

 

Hatches of Western Montana

 

Western Montana is blessed with a wide diversity of hatches. The three major insects (caddis, mayfly, BWO and stonefly) are all present in varying degrees of importance. There are also ample numbers of terrestrials, whose greatest abundance occurs during the summer months.

We break Western Montana fishing into four major seasons: Pre-runoff or Spring (mid March - through early May); Post-runoff (mid June - the end of July);Summer (August through mid-September) and Fall (mid September - through October.)

SPRING
Though dominated by stoneflies, there are also excellent hatches of caddis and mayflies during the Spring months.

The important thing to remember about Spring is . . . "Spring seasons are an excellent opportunity to hook a large fish, and at the same time, unpredictable". If you plan a trip in the Spring, prepare to bring some extra polar fleece, and don't turn down the opportunity to toss a few nymphs and streamers.

March...Skwala, Nemora, and Capnia Stoneflies
April......Skwala, Nemora, Granum Caddis,Grey Drakes, and March Brown Mayflies
May.......Granum Caddis and March Brown Mayflies

 

Post Runoff
In June, Salmon Fly is "KING"! These big orange stoneflies can cause even the most wary of trout to swim several feet to gorge themselves on these irresistible insects. There is good reason the Salmon Fly season is many fishermen's favorite time of the year. As the season progresses, look for good hatches of Green Drakes and golden Stones. Though not as famous to the fishermen, it seems the trout were not informed, as both bugs illicit fabulous strikes by large fish!

June...Salmon Fly, Green Drake, PMD
Early July....Salmon Fly, Golden Stone, Green Drake, Willow Fly,PMD, various caddis

 

SUMMER:
The Summer months, mid-July through late August, or the "Dog Days", as we call them, are characterized by superb, touristy weather conditions.

During this time period, Hoppers are the name of the game. Expect to throw lots of terrestrial patterns during the day; smaller mayflies and caddis during the hours before dark.

Mid-July....Salmon Fly, Golden Stone, Green Drake, Willow Fly,PMD, various caddis
August...Hoppers, Trico's, Ants, Willow Fly, PMD, various caddis

FALL
What can we say? Perhaps my favorite time to explore the waters of Western Montana. When the leaves start to glow their brilliant yellows and reds, it signals the beginning of excellent mayfly hatches of Mahogany Duns, Red Quills and our fall Drakes.

 

September...Hoppers, Trico's, Ants, PMD, Fall Drakes, Mahogany Duns
October...Mahogany Duns, Red Quill, Baetis, PMD, OctoberCaddis, Fall Drakes

 

By using this guide as a generalization of hatches, and by working with your outfitter, you should be able to pick the time of the year best suited to your fishing desires!

 

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