Week Starting: Friday, December 26, 2025
Lightweight Fly Shop – Stevensville, Montana
Weather Forecast (Stevensville Area)
- Fri 12/26: Mostly cloudy – High 44°F / Low 26°F
- Sat 12/27: Cloudy, colder with snow showers – High 31°F / Low 9°F
- Sun 12/28: Sun/clouds – High 26°F / Low 15°F
- Mon 12/29: Clouds then brighter – High 37°F / Low 26°F
- Tue 12/30: Mostly cloudy – High 42°F / Low 27°F
- Wed 12/31: Considerable cloudiness – High 43°F / Low 29°F
- Thu 1/1: Cloudy – High 43°F / Low 32°F
Best fishing window: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (when water temps peak and ice loosens up a bit).
Restrictions & Closures
As of today, FWP’s current emergency restrictions list does not show hoot-owl or drought restrictions for the Bitterroot, Blackfoot mainstem, Clark Fork, or Rock Creek. (Winter wins for once.) Montana FWP
Always double-check local access for ice hazards and seasonal regs.
Current Conditions Snapshot
- Bitterroot River (near Darby gauge): ~627 CFS (12/26 late morning) USGS Water Data
- Blackfoot River (near Bonner gauge): ~1,620 CFS and ~3.4°C / 38°F (12/26 late morning) USGS Water Data
- Clark Fork (above Missoula gauge): ~2,920 CFS (12/26 midday) USGS Water Data
River Reports
Bitterroot River
Conditions: Winter-clear with cold overnight lows. Expect shelf ice in slower edges and shaded banks, plus the occasional anchor ice situation after the cold snap. Flows are holding around ~627 CFS near Darby, which keeps some water moving and fishable in the right places. USGS Water Data
Note: Strong winds have been affecting the area recently. Use EXTREME caution if you’re floating, as there may be blockages that have not been reported.
Where to fish:
- Soft inside seams, deep tailouts, and slow walking-speed runs
- Midday sun lanes (yes, trout like warmth too)
How to fish it:
- Indicator nymphing with long drifts, minimal movement
- Tight-line/Euro with enough weight to stay honest (bottom is the goal)
Go-to winter combo:
- Lead nymph: Firebead PT / Frenchie / Jig Hare’s Ear
- Trailer: Zebra Midge (black/red/purple)
Blackfoot River
Conditions: Good winter option right now. The gauge is showing ~1,620 CFS with water temp ~3.4°C / 38°F, which is cold but very fishable if you time it right. USGS Water Data
Where to fish:
- Deep slow pools, soft edges below riffles, inside bends
- Avoid sketchy frazil/edge ice zones
How to fish it:
- Longer leaders + smaller bugs
- If you’re not ticking bottom occasionally, you’re basically just decorating the river
Top patterns:
- Wire Worm / San Juan Worm (when the water has a hint of color)
- Zebra Midge + small mayfly nymphs
Clark Fork River
Conditions: One of the more consistent winter bets. Flows around ~2,920 CFS above Missoula means plenty of water and a lot of “find the soft seam” structure. USGS Water Data
Where to fish:
- Big slow inside bends, back-eddies, seams off gravel bars
- Avoid fast main-current hero casts
How to fish it:
- Indicator nymphing shines here: longer drifts, heavier rig, slower water
- Streamers can work in winter, but think “short and slow,” not “strip like a maniac”
Top patterns:
- Pink Squirrel / Sowbug-style bugs
- Zebra Midge
- Copper John / Firebead PT
Rock Creek
Conditions: Beautiful. Cold. Slippery. Usually lower and clearer, with ice developing faster in shaded stretches. This is a “pick your spots” river in winter.
Where to fish:
- Lower elevation stretches, sunny runs, deeper pockets
- Be extra cautious wading: rocks + ice = bad math
How to fish it:
- Small flies, light tippet, clean drifts
- Short-line nymphing works great in pocket water when conditions allow
Top patterns:
- Zebra Midge
- Frenchie / small PT
- Lightning Bug–style jig nymphs
Hatch & Fly Chart – Winter Edition
| Food Source | When | Patterns |
|---|---|---|
| Midges | Late morning–afternoon | Zebra Midge, Griffith’s Gnat |
| Baetis (BWO) | Occasional mild afternoons | Small BWO nymphs, BWO emergers |
| Worms | All winter (especially after bump in flow/color) | San Juan Worm, Squirmy Wormy |
| Stonefly nymphs | All winter | Pat’s Rubberlegs (small), black stones |
Fly Box for the Week
- Zebra Midge (black/red/purple)
- Firebead Pheasant Tail / Frenchie
- Pink Squirrel / sowbug patterns
- Lightning Bug / Jig nymphs
- San Juan Worm / Wire Worm
- Pat’s Rubberlegs (small)
Gear Picks – Lightweight Fly Shop
- Indicators: Oros (easy adjustments even with cold hands… sort of)
- Leaders/Tippet: Long leaders + lighter tippet for winter stealth
- Rods: 9’6”–10’ nymphing-friendly setups for better drift control
- Eyewear: Bajío polarized (winter glare is still glare)
Plan Your Trip
Winter fishing is about timing and precision. If you want the best shot: fish midday, slow down, get deep, and keep releases quick.
Guided trips + cabin stays are available year-round (weather permitting).
Book / shop: lightweightflyshop.com
Bitterroot Retreat And Adventures 
Leave a Reply