Mid-July Missoula Fishing Report
July 24, 2024 | Bitterroot River, Clark Fork River, Fishing Report, Missoula, Montana, Season | Summer
July started out great for us here in the Missoula area. The rain from June continued for the first week. The impressive P.M.D. hatches made for great dry fly fishing on the Bitterroot River and Clark Fork River. We saw some truly impressive fish in our nets in the first half of this month.
Then the heat started and the Missoula Fishing Report changed. It got hot, then it got hotter. Then it stayed hot. We went to early meet times sooner than we would have liked, but you have to play the hand you are dealt.
The rivers are currently under “Hoot-Owl” restrictions ( No fishing from 2pm to Midnight), which hasn't made us change our schedules at all. I haven't been on the water later than 1pm since the first week of the month.
Morning Half Days are the rule when we have these conditions. Get on early and off early. We want to make sure we are doing our part to minimize our impact on the fish.
While getting a full day on the water before 1pm sounds like a tall task, getting a full afternoon in Missoula is a refreshing change for folks. Get back, rest, and shower, then explore everything Missoula has to offer in the summer.
Tube the Clark Fork River, and enjoy a cocktail downtown. Catch a Paddleheads game in the evening. Waking up super early on vacation may not be your favorite option, but if you take advantage of the extra-long days, you can fit a whole lot more into your visit to Missoula.
We've been encouraging people who don't want to wake up early or fish in the heat to schedule their trips for March, April, and May.
The current state of our fishing doesn't make us super excited for the next month. Low and warm water doesn't typically lead to excellent trout fishing. But that can all change quickly. A low-pressure system and a few days of rain could work some magic.
If that doesn't come, the date I always have in my mind is August 18th. That seems to be when you can finally feel fall showing up. The mornings are dark and crisp. The sun isn't as high in the sky, and the foliage along the banks starts to show signs of changing colors.
While things aren't in the best shape right now, fall will be showing up in the near future. Until then, we are taking some time off to do summertime Montana things we don't ever have time to do. Until fall shows up, we will be Biking, Bassin’, and booking trips. Give us a call and let's figure out when we can take you fishing!
- Zach Scott | Missoula Fishing Guide #17232
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