Fly fishing seasons in western Montana
Missoula Hatch Chart & Fly Fishing Seasons
What’s hatching on the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Clark Fork and Missouri, month by month.
Interactive chart
Tap a month to see what’s on
Late-season streamers
Cold, quiet, and big fish. Book around the weather and bring layers.
Where Tom would fish: Clark Fork, Missouri
| Hatch | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MidgesAll four rivers | ||||||||||||
| Skwala stonefliesBitterroot, Clark Fork | ||||||||||||
| Blue-winged olivesAll four rivers | ||||||||||||
| March brownsBitterroot, Clark Fork | ||||||||||||
| Mother’s Day caddisBitterroot, Clark Fork | ||||||||||||
| SalmonfliesBlackfoot | ||||||||||||
| Golden stonesBlackfoot, Bitterroot | ||||||||||||
| Green drakesBitterroot, Clark Fork | ||||||||||||
| PMDsAll four rivers | ||||||||||||
| TricosMissouri, Clark Fork | ||||||||||||
| Spruce mothsClark Fork, Blackfoot | ||||||||||||
| HoppersAll four rivers | ||||||||||||
| October caddisBlackfoot, Bitterroot | ||||||||||||
| Fall streamersBitterroot, Clark Fork, Missouri |
The seasons
A year of fly fishing out of Missoula
Spring
Skwalas, March browns, BWOs and caddis. The first great dry-fly fishing of the year, with uncrowded weekdays on the Bitterroot.
Runoff
Snowmelt raises and colors the freestones. Tom fishes the clearest water and the Missouri until the rivers drop for salmonflies.
Summer
Prime season. Golden stones, PMDs, drakes, tricos, spruce moths and hoppers. The best time for first-timers.
Fall
October caddis, fall baetis and streamers. Fewer boats, golden cottonwoods and the most aggressive browns of the year.
Tom’s fly box
Ten flies that catch fish around Missoula
You don’t need to bring any. Tom stocks the boat for that week’s hatch. But if you love to tie, here’s what to have.
| Fly | Size | When | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skwala dry | Size 8–10 | Mar–Apr | Bitterroot |
| Parachute Adams | Size 14–20 | All season | Everywhere |
| March Brown | Size 12–14 | April | Bitterroot, Clark Fork |
| Elk Hair Caddis | Size 14–16 | May & summer | All rivers |
| Salmonfly dry | Size 4–6 | June | Blackfoot |
| PMD | Size 16–18 | Jul | All rivers |
| Trico spinner | Size 20–22 | Aug | Missouri, Clark Fork |
| Hopper | Size 8–12 | Aug–Sep | All rivers |
| October Caddis | Size 8–10 | Oct | Blackfoot, Bitterroot |
| Streamers | Sizes 2–6 | Fall & spring | Bitterroot, Clark Fork, Missouri |
Questions
Hatch and season FAQ
When does the skwala hatch start on the Bitterroot?
Usually in March, once water temperatures climb into the low 40s, and it often runs into April. Warm, overcast afternoons are best.
When is runoff in western Montana?
Usually mid-May through June, depending on snowpack. Tom fishes the clearest water or heads to the Missouri tailwater.
What is the best month to fly fish near Missoula?
It depends on what you want. July is prime dry-fly season for first-timers, March and April are best for uncrowded skwala fishing, and October is the month for big browns.
Do I need to bring flies?
No. Tom provides every fly, leader and tippet you’ll need, tied for that week’s hatch.
Never enough days on the water.
Pick a full or half day, choose your date and lock in the boat. Or call or text Tom to talk through the best river for your week.