Summer Mode Top 10 Tips

Opportunities are still there.

It's full blown summer mode everywhere right now. Hoot-owl regs are going into effect on many Montana waters and the best fishing on many waterways is in the first half of the day. While late July through early September may not be as good of fishing as spring or fall, there are still plenty of chances to catch fish, it just takes a little tweak to your schedule or where you plan on fishing. It's a great time of the year too to hit some lesser known waters and do some exploring.

Our top 10 tips for successful summertime fishing...

• Water temps are coolest in the mornings, this also means fishing is generally best in the first half of the day.
• Some rivers like the Kootenai and Spokane River do remain cold enough to fish in the evenings.
• If water temps are above 68 degrees please call it a day and enjoy a cold drink, give the trout a break.
• High alpine and backcountry waters are great this time of the year.
• Terrestrials are the go-to from now until fall.
• Small attractors are great this time of the year. Toss in some caddis as well.
• Riffles, deep slots, undercuts, drop offs, mid river buckets and boulder gardens are the name of the game for location.
• Longer / lighter leaders and tippet can improve catch rates.
• While chubbies or hopper / droppers can and are great to fish still, fishing small dries (parachutes, midges, etc) can be deadly, same goes with your dropper patterns.
• Try bass or carp fishing for something different. Grande Ronde, Snake River, Banks Lake, the Spokane R. near stateline / Idaho for smallies, long lake, etc. The list is very long for warmwater species around here.