Rock Creek August 26, 2010
Flow: 270 CFS
Weather:
Hatches: Pale Duns and Spinners, Caddis, Spruce Moths, Hoppers and other Terrestrials
Comments: Rock Creek has continued to offer excellent fishing for the wade angler. The water is low enough now that the fish are stacked in the obvious water. Spruce moths are still in play on some mornings and the fish aren't too picky with patterns when there on the moth so a large elk hair caddis should get it done for you. Terrestrials including beetles, ants and small hoppers in the afternoon as well as mayfly attractor patterns like the purple haze or royal wulff should do the job for you.
Clark Fork River August 26, 2010
Flow: 440 at Drummond, 830 at Turah, 2,080 below Missoula, 2,600 at St Regis
Weather:
Hatches: Hoppers, Ants,Tricos, Pale Duns, Beatis, Hecubas, Caddis, and Crane Flies
Comments: The Clark Fork has been a reasonably good option lately. The Tricos are certainly out but haven't been getting the big fish up yet on the lower river for some reason. Patient long drifts have been getting some big fish up on the lower through the afternoon and fishing seems to pick up considerably when the light gets lower late in the afternoon. Look for a major change when the weather cools down this weekend. You should see Hecubas pop in good numbers and light it up when it gets cool and cloudy. The upper river has been playing well with streamers and hoppers with some impressive fish to be had up there.
Blackfoot River August 26, 2010
Flow: 580 CFS
Weather:
Hatches: Spruce Moths, Trico and PMD Spinners, Hecubas, Hoppers, Beetles, Ants, Attractors, Giant Goldens, Caddis
Comments: The Blackfoot has been playing pretty well for the last couple of weeks with the fishing ranging from fair to excellent through the day. The best fishing has been late morning through early afternoon and again in the evening. Tricos have a lot of fish up in the pools below riffles from mid to late morning. Spruce Moths are still out here and there and moth imitations have been good prospecting patterns in the morning through midday. Hoppers have been playing reasonably well from around mid day on. Streamer fishing has picked up considerably, particularly when weather rolls in.
Bitterroot River August 26, 2010
Flow: 450 CFS at Darby and 750 CFS at Missoula
Weather:
Hatches: Tricos, Baetis, Pale Duns, Hecubas, Nocturnal Giant Goldens, Spruce Moths in the upper, Hoppers, Ants, Beetles, and Caddis
Comments: The Bitterroot is offering excellent fishing through the whole river right now. The PMD spinner fall is still offering great shooting early in the upper half of the river. Tricos are in full swing on the lower. Hoppers are fair to good through the afternoon and are taking some big fish with patient drifts through the afternoon on the whole river. Ants are playing well for prospecting and if you're on the water when flying ants hit the water like yesterday there is some incredible fishing to be had. Hecubas are starting to show here and there particularly when weather rolls in.