Heading to Montana

[Red_headed_Stranger]

I'm heading to Missuola, MT for 4 days the first weekend of October to do some fishing with a couple friends. No real plans yet other than a day on the Bitterroot and maybe heading into Idaho for a day to fish the Lochsa. Never fished out there that this late in the season so I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions i.e. places to fish, patterns, etc.

 

[DaveS]

You have already mentioned two very good places. Rock Creek is pretty handy. When I lived in that area, I had been known to take a few nice fish from under the Higgins St. Bridge, right in downtown Missoula. Its been too long since I've been back there, give us a full report upon your return.

Good Luck!
Dave

 

[Wetfly01]

By all means if your headed to the Bitterroot area I would love to hear some details of your trip when you get back. I am planing a trip to that area next year in mid Sept and I am trying to gather as much info as I can. It will be my first trip out there and I would like to be somewhat prepared.
Good luck


Dave S

I wish I've known you lived out there when we fished together this past spring. I would have talked your ear off about the area. Maybe latter on I'll PM you and we can talk about that area. Possible you might be able to give me sum info about the area. Talk to you.

 

[pete41]

Big rivers
big streamer flies
inside bends,eyes of pools and gravel bars
Fish from very first light until the sun hits the water,take a break until sun leaves water.The big ones will drop back into deep pools under a bright sun.
Fish just above launching points in the morning,below in the evening as boats will move them out of the shallows.
If you get nasty weather,fish all day-they will hit.
First week of Oct..is best time of year for better fish.
Suggest Missouri in Townsend area or cut over to Helena and fish Missouri above the lakes.
Good luck.

 

[jrcll]

I`ve fished the Missoula area many times, stop in at either the Missoulian Angler or the Kingfisher fly shops, they will save you time and tell you whats working and where to fish, the clark, and the bitterroot are both best fished from a drift boat, that being said there are many places to access both rivers to wade fish, same goes for rock crk

 

[lestrout]

Red - would you believe the October Caddis hatches on the Lochsa in October? It's a huge fly, and there's a similar slightly smaller (#10-12) amber caddis at the same time.

BWO, small Red Quill for the Mahogany Dun and general 12-18 caddis will get it done. Depending on the elevations and temps, terrestials work well at that time.

tl
les

 

[Chaz]

Don't forget the Blackfoot.