Warm temperatures have arrived in Montana and we are officially in runoff conditions here in Missoula. This spring we stayed quite cool on average, which kept our local rivers stable for the vast majority of March and April. Early season water conditions are impossible to predict, but this year our drainage stayed in shape all the way into late April. We were fortunate to close out the spring season with a number of banner days fishing single dry fly skwala patterns, and we are thankful for all of you who shared the water with us!
We are now booking for the 2024 spring season, and will again be offering discounted rates in March and April. Check out a few photos below to see some of the fish that have made it to the net so far in 2023!
With our local waters out of shape due to runoff, we have shifted our program over to the east side of the divide to fish the Mighty MO. We still have availability for day trips on the Missouri in May and early June and would love to put together a trip on the famous tailwater for you!
Summer on the Horizon
With a great spring season in the books we are excited to kick off our summer season in June! Our latest snowpack reports shows the Bitterroot and Upper Clark Fork drainages over 100% of normal, which means only good things as we gear up for the summer season.
June is the time for the fabled salmonfly hatch, as well as green drakes and the start of PMD’s. The salmonflies can linger into July and are then joined by the lesser-touted but perhaps more reliable and revered by MRL Guides, golden stones. Our June and July calendars have only a handful of guide dates available for day trips and hotel packages, with limited options remaining for all inclusive lodging packages in July.
August in Missoula is centered on hopper fishing, and some of our most aggressive dry fly eats of the season come in the middle of the summer. Starting in late July and all throughout August we have a terrestrial centric fishing program, with tricos and spruce moths rounding out the summer hatches and adding variety to the dry fly days of summer.
Our hopper fishing will continue until we find ourselves firmly in the grasp of fall, and then we’ll shift gears to mahoganies, hecubas, and blue wing olives in September; testing our mettle with light tippet, small flies, and discerning mature fish rising on rhythm to close out the season.
Give us a call or send us an email to learn more about our three different package types, and let’s chat about the best time of year for your trip!
406.880.0542 | info@classicjourneyoutfitters.
