One of the most anticipated hatches of the year has finally arrived. Salmonflies are going strong on Rock Creek, just showed up on the West Fork and upper Bitterroot, and will pop on the Blackfoot in the next few days. The hatch is one of the most awesome spectacles you will ever see, and if the stars align it can also be the best fishing of your life. It's a dynamic time around Missoula right now, even though there are bugs around the fishing is far from easy. You have to read the weather, streamflows, and other factors to put yourself in the right place at the right time. Any of our rivers might be great with dries one day and dead on the surface the next. The trout absolutely gorge on these bugs and the fishing reflects that. Hit it the day after a binge and all the naturals in the world won't raise fish to the surface, a rain storm or cold front could stall the bugs and the fish for a day, or you everything could come together and your rod is bent with big trout all day. I love this time of year. We don't kill 'em every day, but the potential is always there and the biggest trout of the year will be caught on dries over the next couple weeks. Pack the rain gear, the camera, and the 2x and get ready for some excitement.
