It’s always hard to work on a sunny day. Early summer
in Montana has the Bitterroot Valley radiating in all her glory.
The late summer days can get hot, but today is going to peak
at about 81 degrees and the river is starting to fish well.
I’m only going to make it at this desk until 5 o’clock.
Fly fishing on the Bitterroot River really
begins in March with the Skwala hatch. Like many freestone
rivers in the West, the Bitterroot has a healthy stonefly population.
The Skwala comes first and then is followed by the Goldens and
the Salmonfly. Yellow Sallies and Bitterroot Stones are other
hatches that occur through most of the summer. The Salmonflies
are strongest on the upper end of the river and that’s where
I’m heading tonight.
Following the stoneflies are a variety
of mayflies, caddis and hoppers. Check in with the local fly
shops to find out what’s working best.
The early summer days in western Montana
are almost Artic in length. Tonight I’ll be able to fish until
nearly 10. My destination is Spring Gulch Campground on the
East Fork of the Bitterroot River. This fork follows Highway
93 south of Darby to the small town of Sula. The East Fork has
been manipulated by the construction of the highway, but still
provides some excellent wade fishing opportunities. And though
the fish are smaller on average than the main Bitterroot River
or the West Fork, a lucky fisherman can still coax the occasional
hog to the surface.
Fly fishing has fast become a booming industry
in the Bitterroot Valley. Hundreds of fishing guides work on
the entire length of the river, including the two forks.
And according to industry experts, the tourism associated with
river recreation bring millions of dollars each year into the
valley’s economy.
Wading or floating the river can be a quick
and easy get away from the daily grind. Since the river flows
through or near every town in the valley, good fishing is usually
just minutes from your door.
The Bitterroot is a relatively slow river.
It’s easy to float and fish with just a little preparation and
guidance from any local fly shop or sporting goods store.
However, the river can also be deceptively dangerous. This gentle
river flows mainly through pine and cottonwood bottoms. This
woody material provides important homes for fish and aquatic
life, but they can also be dangerous to unsuspecting floaters.
A little caution and preparation can go a long way.
The Bitterroot River has all the characteristics
of a great trout stream – deep cutbanks, long riffles, gravel
bars, long deep holes, and braided channels. The average trout
on the Bitterroot is about 14 inches, but 18 to 20 inch fish
are not uncommon. Plus access is not a problem with nearly 30
official access points along the entire river.
So now it’s my turn to get away.
Thirty minutes after walking out my door, I’ll be waist deep
in the East Fork with (hopefully) my rod bent on beautiful Cutthroat
Trout. Happy Fishing.
|
