Bitterroot River - Conner - Montana
Fly Fishing River Report & Conditions
Bitterroot River – Conner - Water Flow Chart
Bitterroot River – Conner - Weather report & radar
Bitterroot River – Conner - General hatch chart
| Month | Hatch | Time of Day | Recommended Fly Sizes | Popular Fly Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Midges | Afternoon | #18-20 | Zebra Midge, Griffith’s Gnats |
| Winter Stoneflies | Late Afternoon | #14-16 | Black and Peacock Spider, Black Stonefly Nymph | |
| February | Midges | Afternoon | #18-20 | Thread Midge, Zebra Midge |
| Winter Stoneflies | Late Afternoon | #14-16 | Black and Peacock Spider, Black Stonefly Nymph | |
| Blue-Winged Olive | Midday | #18-20 | BWO Parachute, BWO Emerger | |
| March | Midges | Afternoon | #18-20 | Thread Midge, Zebra Midge |
| Snowflake Caddis | Evening | #14-16 | X-Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis | |
| Skwala Stoneflies | All Day | #8-12 | Skwala Adult, Skwala Nymph | |
| April | Snowflake Caddis | Evening | #14-16 | X-Caddis, Elk Hair Caddis |
| Skwala Stoneflies | All Day | #8-12 | Skwala Adult, Skwala Nymph | |
| March Brown Mayflies | Afternoon | #12-14 | March Brown Emerger, March Brown Dun | |
| Blue-Winged Olive | Midday | #18-20 | BWO Parachute, BWO Emerger | |
| May | March Brown Mayflies | Afternoon | #12-14 | March Brown Emerger, March Brown Dun |
| Giant Salmonflies | All Day | #4-6 | Rogue Foam Salmon Fly, Stimulator Orange | |
| Golden Stoneflies | All Day | #6-8 | Stimulator Yellow, Golden Stonefly Nymph | |
| Caddisflies | Evening | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis,Tan X-Caddis | |
| June | Giant Salmonflies | All Day | #4-6 | Rogue Foam Salmon Fly, Stimulator Orange |
| Golden Stoneflies | All Day | #6-8 | Stimulator Yellow, Golden Stonefly Nymph | |
| Caddisflies | Evening | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis,Tan X-Caddis | |
| PMD Mayflies | Afternoon | #14-16 | PMD Parachute, PMD Emerger | |
| July | PMD Mayflies | Afternoon | #14-16 | PMD Parachute, PMD Emerger |
| Terrestrials | All Day | #10-12 | Hopper Pattern, Ant Pattern | |
| Caddisflies | Evening | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis,Tan X-Caddis | |
| August | Terrestrials | All Day | #10-12 | Hopper Pattern, Ant Pattern |
| Tricos | Morning | #22-24 | Trico Spinner, Trico Dun | |
| Caddisflies | Evening | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis,Tan X-Caddis | |
| September | Terrestrials | All Day | #10-12 | Hopper Pattern, Ant Pattern |
| Tricos | Morning | #22-24 | Trico Spinner, Trico Dun | |
| Mahogany Dun Mayflies | Afternoon | #14-16 | Mahogany Dun Parachute, Mahogany Emerger | |
| October | Blue-Winged Olive | Midday | #18-20 | BWO Parachute, BWO Emerger |
| Mahogany Dun Mayflies | Afternoon | #14-16 | Mahogany Dun Parachute, Mahogany Emerger | |
| November | Blue-Winged Olive | Midday | #18-20 | BWO Parachute, BWO Emerger |
| Midges | Late Afternoon | #20-22 | Thread Midge, Zebra Midge | |
| December | Midges | Late Afternoon | #20-22 | Thread Midge, Zebra Midge |
| Winter Stoneflies | Midday | #14-16 | Black and Peacock Spider, Black Stonefly Nymph |
Bitterroot River – Conner Access Points
The Bitterroot River in Conner offers several excellent fly fishing access points with abundant trout populations. Here are some of the top spots:
- Victor Crossing: Just off Highway 93, this access point is located downstream with excellent fly fishing potential.
- Bell Crossing: A little further south off Highway 93, this area provides a larger river stretch for fishing.
- Woodside Crossing: Positioned about midway between Hamilton and Corvallis, it provides great trout fishing opportunities.
- Tucker Crossing: This is a less crowded yet productive fishing spot located south of Hamilton town.
- Angler’s Roost: Great spot for finding larger trout, situated just north of Hamilton.
Bitterroot River – Conner Fishing Spots
Located in the heart of Montana, the Bitterroot River in Conner offers several hot spots for avid fly fishers, known for its abundant trout population.
- Hannon Memorial: This spot provides a deep pool made by the bend of the river, providing the perfect habitat for different trout species.
- Sleeping Child Creek: A well-known tributary for Bitterroot, it’s a hotspot for rainbow and cutthroat trout, especially during the spring run-off.
- Tucker Crossing: Known for its productive riffles and deep pools, it’s a great spot for brown and rainbow trout.
- East Fork Bitterroot River: Fed by melting snowcaps, the river’s lower temperatures and clear waters make it the perfect spot for catching sizable cutthroat trout.
- West Fork Bitterroot River: A fly fishers’ gem with numerous public access points and a steady stream flow most part of the year. The river hosts an array of fish species.
Bitterroot River – Conner Local Fish Species
- Rainbow Trout: One of the most common species targeted by fly fishermen on the Bitterroot River. These fish are usually found in the fastest parts of the river.
- Brook Trout: Known for their beautiful colors and voracious appetite, these are a favorite among fly fishermen.
- West Slope Cutthroat Trout: Native to the Bitterroot river and beloved for their aggressive surface feeding, making them a prime target for dry fly fishing.
- Brown Trout: These fish are often elusive and wise to a fisherman’s tricks, providing a welcome challenge on the Bitterroot River.
- Mountain Whitefish: Although not a prized catch for some, they can be a spectacular fight on a fly rod.
- Bull Trout: While fishing for Bull Trout is currently restricted, these top-predator fish are revered by locals for their size and power.
- Northern Pike: As an invasive species, it’s actually encouraged to fish for these. They offer an exciting target for fly fishers with their aggressive nature.
- Smallmouth Bass: Not native to the river system, but provide a varied and exciting fly fishing experience, especially in the lower Bitterroot River.
About the Bitterroot River – Conner
In the beautiful heart of Montana flows the Bitterroot River, a primary tributary of the Clark Fork River. Beginning near the quaint town of Conner, it’s rich in both natural beauty and historical significance.
- Long before the first settlers arrived, the Salish Native American tribe revered this river, dubbing it “Place of the Bitterroot”, after the distinctive plant that bore a bitter-tasting root, a crucial source of food for early people.
- The river later played a major role in 19th-century exploration and settlement. Famed explorers Lewis and Clark navigated part of the river during their Corps of Discovery Expedition in 1805.
- By the late 1800s, Conner, a bustling logging and trading hub, was established on its banks.
- Today, the Bitterroot River is a hot spot for outdoorsmen, boasting excellent trout fishing and whitewater rafting opportunities.
The Bitterroot River is engrained in the cultural landscape of Montana; a significant symbol of the state’s rich history and bountiful natural splendor.
Community Contributions
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