September – November
Fall Brown Trout Fishing near Missoula
The most aggressive browns of the year, golden cottonwoods and quiet rivers.
Fall is famous for brown trout
As days shorten and water cools, brown trout get aggressive, and the biggest fish in the river start chasing flies.
Fall on the Bitterroot and Clark Fork is Tom’s favorite time of year. The summer crowds are gone, the cottonwoods turn gold, and big browns move to the banks and eat. On cool, cloudy days, streamer fishing can produce the fish of a lifetime.
Three ways to fish the fall
- Streamers: stripping big flies tight to the banks for the biggest browns.
- October caddis: big orange caddis on the Blackfoot and Bitterroot.
- Baetis: small blue-winged olives on cloudy afternoons, for anglers who love rising fish.
Where Tom fishes in the fall
Mostly the Bitterroot and Clark Fork, with trips to the Missouri for its big fall browns.
Fall on the water
Browns worth the cold mornings
Questions
Fall fishing FAQ
When is the best time for big brown trout near Missoula?
Late September through October, when brown trout feed aggressively before they spawn. Overcast, cool days are often best.
What is streamer fishing?
Streamers are larger flies that imitate baitfish and sculpins. You cast them to the bank and strip them back, and big browns chase and crush them.
Is fall a good time for beginners?
Yes. October caddis and hoppers keep dry-fly fishing going on warmer days, and Tom can mix dries, nymphs and streamers.
What should I wear in October?
Layers, a warm jacket, a rain shell, a hat and gloves. Afternoons can be beautiful, but mornings are cold.
Fall is the best kept secret in Montana.
Book a fall day and chase the biggest browns of the year.