🎣 Western Montana Fishing Report – Week of August 10, 2025
Bitterroot • Blackfoot • Clark Fork • Rock Creek
Brought to you by Lightweight Fly Shop – Stevensville, MT
🌤 Weather Outlook (Aug 10–16)
Hot summer conditions continue with highs in the upper 80s to mid-90s°F. Mornings in the 50s–60s°F will offer the coolest water and most active fish. Best fishing window: first light until 2 p.m. — after that, hoot-owl restrictions are in effect. Mid-week heat may push temps higher, so be sure to carry a thermometer.
🐟 River Reports
Bitterroot River
- Flow & Temps: ~440 cfs at Darby / ~240 cfs at Bell Crossing. Morning temps low 60s°F, approaching 70°F by afternoon.
- Fishing: Strong morning dry-fly bite with caddis, Tricos, and hoppers. Shade lines, riffle corners, and bankside pockets are producing.
- Top Flies: Elk Hair Caddis (#14-16), Parachute Trico (#18-20), Tan Hopper (#10-12), Pheasant Tail (#16-18).
- Tip: Long leaders (12’+) with 5x tippet help in clear water.
- Hoot-Owl: Entire river from East/West Fork to the Clark Fork — 2 p.m.–midnight closure.
Blackfoot River
- Flow & Temps: ~450 cfs at Bonner. Morning temps mid-60s°F, warming quickly.
- Fishing: Spruce moths are the ticket mid-morning. Dry-dropper rigs with big foam dries and tungsten nymphs are producing in seams and pocket water. Early streamer bite is solid on overcast mornings.
- Top Flies: Spruce Moth (#12-14), Potter’s Moth (#12-14), Chubby Chernobyl (#10-12), Frenchie Jig (#14-16), Sparkle Minnow (Olive).
- Tip: A 6wt rod handles big foam and small streamers well.
- Hoot-Owl: Entire mainstem — 2 p.m.–midnight closure.
Clark Fork River
- Flow & Temps: Moderate summer flows; temps low 60s°F early, high 60s°F by afternoon.
- Fishing: Best early with hopper-dropper setups. Foam stones or hoppers above smaller tungsten nymphs are finding fish. Shady banks and deeper pools holding trout.
- Top Flies: Henneberry Hopper (#8-10), Chubby Chernobyl (#8-10), Spanish Bullet Jig (#14-16), Pat’s Rubberlegs (#8-10), Mini Dungeon (Black).
- Tip: Cover water quickly — fish are podded up in the best oxygenated zones.
- Hoot-Owl: Upper section from Warm Springs to Blackfoot confluence — 2 p.m.–midnight closure.
Rock Creek
- Flow & Temps: ~250 cfs at the mouth. Clear, low, and cool early.
- Fishing: Smaller terrestrials and attractor dries over tungsten jig nymphs are producing. Target faster runs and deep pockets for the most consistent action.
- Top Flies: Micro Chubby (#14-16), Hippie Stomper (#14-16), PMD Sparkle Dun (#16-18), Jig Duracell (#14-16), Prince Nymph (#14-16).
- Tip: Stealth counts — approach from downstream and use shorter, accurate casts.
- Hoot-Owl: Upper section from West/Middle Fork to Stoney Creek — 2 p.m.–midnight closure.
🦉 Hoot-Owl Restrictions Summary
| River | Status | Hours Closed |
|---|---|---|
| Bitterroot | Entire river | 2 p.m.–Midnight |
| Blackfoot | Entire mainstem | 2 p.m.–Midnight |
| Clark Fork | Upper section | 2 p.m.–Midnight |
| Rock Creek | Upper section | 2 p.m.–Midnight |
🎒 Gear Picks from Lightweight Fly Shop
- Rods: EVOs & Technica — perfect for delicate presentations in low water.
- Indicators: Oros Strike Indicators — simple, effective, and adjustable.
- Sunglasses: Bajío polarized — cut glare, spot fish in bright summer sun.
- Leaders/Tippet: Airflo & Rio — stealth rigs for picky trout.
- Local Art: Original oil paintings by Jodi Monahan — Montana beauty for your home.
📅 Book Your Adventure
Beat the heat with full- or half-day guided trips on the Bitterroot & Blackfoot Rivers. After fishing, relax in our cozy cabin rentals just minutes from the river.
📍 Reserve now: lightweightflyshop.com
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