The Bitteroot is currently going up, but should come back down according to the weather forecast. The flow near town is sitting just above 5310cfs and should continue this pattern till high water really kicks off, which should be fairly soon. The main stem is much more boater friendly right now with the higher flows but the back and side channels are giving pretty decent options to the wade fisherman. If you’re heading out this way, deep nymph rigs have been the best option with supermans, pheasant tails, San Juan worms, Double beaded stones, Pat’s rubber legs, jigstones, or bread crusts. You may see a few bugs popping but the fish have been very picky eaters lately. Bring some big D&D cripples, purple hazes, march browns, carnage drakes, and low riding skwala patterns just in case. When the flows start to come up like they are, the fish tend to seek refuge in back channels and towards the banks. So, keep your rigs close to the shoreline. If your going to fish the back channels be sure that they are actual back channels and not a tributary. The tributaries are still closed till the 3rd Saturday in May.

HATCHES/Flies: midges, baetis, March browns, grey drakes, skwalas

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