The Bitterroot River : Fly Fishing.gif)
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East & West Forks Bitterroot River
The Bitterroot
River itself begins near the town of Connor, at the confluence
of the East Fork Bitterroot River and the West Fork Bitterroot
River. Each of these two forks offers quality fishing in a
beautiful environment, with low fishing pressure as an added
bonus.
 The
East Fork Bitterroot River tumbles out of the mountains of
the Anaconda-Pintlar Wilderness area. It runs clear throughout
most of the year and can become a raging torrent during spring
run-off. During low water years, the flows of the river can
become very low during late summer.
Access to the East
Fork Bitterroot River is excellent. From its headwaters down
to near the town of Sula, the river flows primarily through
National Forest lands and is closely followed by the East
Fork Road. Many camping areas also located along the river.
Just above the town of Sula, the East Fork Bitterroot River
flows through a small, scenic valley that is primarily private
property, although a fishing access site does exist. Below
Sula, and lasting nearly up to the town of Connor, Highway
93 closely follows the river, allowing for many easy access
spots.
The East Fork Bitterroot
River has good fly fishing for smaller size cutthroat trout.
As fishing pressure is generally quite low, the cutthroat
trout rise readily to smaller dry flies thrown their way.
Since the river is quite narrow in most of its length, casting
to all spots of the river is quite easy, although the fast
current and large rocks in the river can make wading a challenge.
The best fly fishing for cutthroat trout will be found early
in the summer while the flows are up and again later in the
fall when the water has cooled.
The West Fork Bitterroot
River begins right along the border of Idaho and Montana.
It runs for about ten miles before flowing into Painted Rocks
Lake, a man-made lake created by Painted Rocks Dam. Below
Painted Rocks Reservoir, it flows for an additional fifteen
miles before hooking up with the East Fork and creating the
Bitterroot River. For most of its length, the West Fork has
decent flows with only a scattering of slow water stretches.
 The
West Fork Bitterroot River above Painted Rocks Reservoir has
good numbers of smaller sized rainbow trout, cutthroat trout
and brook trout. Access is easy for much of this section,
as the river flows through National Forest lands and is closely
followed by the West Fork Road. Many camping areas are also
located in this stretch. Fishing pressure on this stretch
is quite low, and the fish will rise readily to most any small
dry fly presented to them.
Below Painted Rocks
Reservoir, the West Fork Bitterroot River takes on a different
character. Fed by the flows from the reservoir, the West Fork
maintains decent and cool flows well into the summer. Additionally,
this section of the West Fork Bitterroot River runs clear
all year long, even during spring run-off.
This section of
the West Fork Bitterroot River is home to some sizable rainbow
and brown trout. Most of the larger fish will be caught on
large streamers or nymphs, fished around undercut banks and
the many log jams that are found on the river. For top water
fly fishing, popular flies on this stretch include dry fly
attractor patterns, such as the Madame X as well as standard
dry flies such as the Elk Hair Caddis. Hoppers and Spruce
Moth imitations can also work well beginning in August.
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