Flies for Montana (Helena area) in July?

CDone

CDone

Smolt
Good Day All. I am joining my wife in Helena the second week in July, she will be attending a work retreat so I have 4 days to fish. I have planned to hire a guide for a float and will rent a vehicle so I can get out and explore on my own. Grew up in Alberta, so spent a lot of time on the Bow and the mountain streams on the East Slopes. Wondering what I should expect insect wise for this time. Currently living in Powell River on the Upper Sunshine Coast of British Columbia so my stream boxes are a little sparse.
 
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Tricos and PMDs should be out on the Missouri below Holter Dam, maybe caddis, too; only trick is finding some space to wade as it will be busy. Not many things more fun than head hunting during the spinner falls. Speaking of Headhunters, go to their site and search their reports; lots of good info on patterns.

Regards,
Scott
 
Scottp said:
Tricos and PMDs should be out on the Missouri below Holter Dam, maybe caddis, too; only trick is finding some space to wade as it will be busy. Not many things more fun than head hunting during the spinner falls. Speaking of Headhunters, go to their site and search their reports; lots of good info on patterns.

Regards,
Scott
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Thanks Scott, Booked a float with Living Waters Guide Service, and then will do 2 or 3 days of exploring on my own, Rock Creek, Little Blackfoot, Clark Fork, any other suggestions? Currently digging through all my old stream boxes and trying to pare things down to the essentials.

Colin
 
CDone said:
will do 2 or 3 days of exploring on my own, Rock Creek, Little Blackfoot, Clark Fork, any other suggestions?

Colin
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Colin,

Get a MT gazetteer, poke around, have fun. If you’re fishing Rock Creek make sure you have studded boots and bring plenty of replacements; also, be prepared to trash your rental car if you venture very far up that road.

Regards,
Scott
 
Hoot Owl restrictions are starting now on various rivers. You may need to take that into account...
 
Don’t forget about some streamers! Especially on the Missouri. Early AM or late evening when the big fish eat. I’d skip the Clark Fork personally, not as fun to do self exploration on it. As @RCF said, watch hoot owl regs. Go up high enough and you don’t usually have to deal with it.
 
There is a large, fun, dark caddis hatch in the evening on the Clark Fork right in downtown Missoula.
 
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CDone said:
Good Day All. I am joining my wife in Helena the second week in July, she will be attending a work retreat so I have 4 days to fish. I have planned to hire a guide for a float and will rent a vehicle so I can get out and explore on my own. Grew up in Alberta, so spent a lot of time on the Bow and the mountain streams on the East Slopes. Wondering what I should expect insect wise for this time. Currently living in Powell River on the Upper Sunshine Coast of British Columbia so my stream boxes are a little sparse.
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Pmds and tons of caddis... maybe some yellow sallies but probably too late for any other stoneflies. Ants and beetles are often good and if you get into the mountains or forested areas spruce moths can play a role.
 
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