The ‘root is giving up good fishing in daily roller coaster fashion these days.  Windows of GONZO happen between periods of breezy conversational frosticles.  Better have your layers on.  The mid afternoon March brown/skwala follies seem to be the most consistent dryfly action regardless of wind, rain or snow.  From about 1:30 ’till 3, there’s been consistent gobbling.  On some days you’ll have other windows of very good dryfly action too, but in general, it’s going to be either nymph rigs or dry/DEEP dropper set-ups until the afternoon happiness.  The lower river from about Florence down to Missoula has been fishing considerably better than any other ‘root sections when using streamers . . and really . . .what else is there?  If you do find something else, it’ll work river-wide!  Wading in these conditions is nice, too, so that when things get really nasty out, you can just hop in your truck and bail!

HATCHES/Flies: Skwalas, caddis, nemouras, March browns, capnias, BWOs. Consider buggers as a streamer option in the slow stuff. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: True run-off generally begins around May 11th.  You’ve still got some time!!

BITTERROOT FLOW AT DARBY
BITTERROOT FLOW AT BELL CROSSING
BITTERROOT FLOW AT MISSOULA