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<On the Lewis and Clark Trail Fishing Guide: Bitterroot River click here to find another fishing spot
Bitterroot River

Photo: Big fish in the Bitterroot hide under downed trees. Courtesy Drew Winterer.

Lewis and Clark came upon and explored the Bitterroot River, after deciding the Salmon River was too dicey to navigate. Looking for calmer waters, they hiked north over Lost Trail Pass in the southwest corner of Montana and found the headwaters of the Bitterroot River. Exploring and fishing the Bitterroot starting from these pristine headwaters remains the best way to experience this remarkable Montana trout stream today.

The two crystal-clear forks that form the headwaters of the Bitterroot mirror the untouched mountains from which they spring. The East Fork winds and meanders out of the mellow Sapphire Range, while the West Fork busts out of the rocky-peaked Bitterroots. Between the two ranges live ospreys, herons, eagles, hawks, beaver, moose, black bears, and deer. The occasional elk even wanders down to the river from the mountains. This wild area, heavy with trees, was very difficult to travel over 200 years ago, but scenic Highway 93 makes the journey much easier for today's explorers.

taking a closer look

Where to Fish

Where to fish: The Bitterroot River, Montana

How to get there: One mile north of Hamilton on Route 93, Blodgett Creek flows into the Bitterroot from the west, and the state maintains an excellent fishing access point here. Downstream the river begins braiding, offering numerous good hiding places for the river's trout. The big trout like to hide in the piles of driftwood and root balls accumulated in the side channels, so anglers should spend some time on the islands formed by the braids and be on the lookout for these spots.

What to fish for: Westslope cutthroat trout

What to use: Fly fishermen should use dry flies (mayflies, caddis flies, stoneflies and midges) for the classic match-the-hatch fishing. Lures, like Panther Martins, Marabou jigs, Mepps, and small trout-colored spoons work for other anglers.