Marty's Shuttle

06/03/2026

05/29/2026

05/19/2026

Woodside Bridge Fishing Access Site on the Bitterroot River reopened to all access today. The site had been closed to vehicles due to flooding, but river levels have subsided enough to reopen.
⚠️ Please use caution on and around our rivers right now. The water is high and cold and often carrying a lot of debris that can be hazardous. If you do go, please check conditions ahead of time, wear a life jacket, and scout ahead when needed.

05/12/2026

A lottery to fill three available permits for commercial fishing and floating on the upper and West Fork of the Bitterroot River is open through May 18. See all the details: https://tinyurl.com/3vjdwsh9
🛑The upper and West Fork Bitterroot River is a restricted use river, and outfitters are required to obtain a permit before conducting commercial operations.
🚣The three available permits are for a portion of West Fork of the Bitterroot and the upper Bitterroot River from C. Ben White Fishing Access Site (FAS) downstream to Wally Crawford FAS. River access points above C. Ben White FAS are managed by the U.S. Forest Service and are not included in this drawing.
📍Apply (April 20-May 18) at fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply/specialuseriverpermits
🎫The lottery drawing for permits is scheduled for the week of May 18, and successful applicants will be notified via email shortly after.

05/08/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1J4Zd8yg2B/

❌ Woodside Bridge Fishing Access Site on the Bitterroot River near Corvallis is partially closed due to flooding. There is no vehicle access to the site.

⚠️ You can walk in, but please use caution. Many of our rivers are running fast right now, with a lot of hidden debris under the surface.

05/05/2026

May 4th, 2026 Bitterroot Fishing Report from Freestone Fly Shop
Bitterroot River Fishing Report
Updated: May 4, 2026

Spring runoff has officially arrived on the Bitterroot, and flows are up across the system. We saw a strong push of water recently, bringing higher, off-color conditions to the mainstem. While it’s not your classic dry fly setup out there right now, there are still opportunities for anglers willing to adjust tactics.

Current Conditions
Flows: High and rising
Water Clarity: Off-color to muddy on the mainstem
Water Temps: Cold but trending up
Best Water: Tributaries, side channels, and lower elevation creeks
The main Bitterroot is tough to fish effectively during peak runoff, but smaller water and protected areas are still producing.

What’s Working
Nymphing: Your best bet right now. Focus on slower seams, inside bends, and softer water along the banks.
Pat’s Rubber Legs (stonefly patterns)
San Juan Worms
Hare’s Ears & Pheasant Tails
Streamer Fishing: With the dirty water, throwing bigger, darker streamers can move fish.
Black, olive, and natural tones
Fish tight to structure and slower water
Dry Fly Action: Limited, but keep an eye out for:
Late Skwala activity in clearer side channels
Blue Winged Olives on calmer days
Mothers Day Caddis
Where to Go
East Fork and West Fork (watch flows but often clearer than the mainstem)
Back channels and soft edges
Outlook
We’re in the heart of runoff, so expect conditions to remain high for the next few weeks. As flows stabilize and clarity improves, fishing will ramp back up quickly. Late May into June should bring solid opportunities—especially as golden stoneflies start to enter the mix.

05/01/2026