You’ll want to have the right fly fishing gear for the Bitterroot River.
A quality fly rod, sturdy boots and the right accessories will make all the difference in the world.
If you are new to fly fishing, and could use some help with what gear you’ll need, this article is for you.
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Fly Fishing Gear for the Bitterroot River
We’re no experts, but we’ve been fishing Montana rivers for over 30 years, with 20 years on the Bitterroot.
Here’s some essential fly fishing gear we think is perfect for Montana’s Bitterroot River.
Rod, Reel & Line
The most common fly rod for fishing the Bitterroot River is a 9 foot long, 5 weight rod.
Virtually every fly rod manufacturer makes rods in this configuration, so there’s plenty of good choices.
We prefer 4-piece rods that break down smaller for easy storage and travel.
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There are many good fly reels, and you can’t really go wrong with most current models from established brands.
If you are a beginner, consider a quality rod and reel outfit with matching components that work well together.
If you plan to purchase individual components, be sure to match the weights of the rod, reel and line.
Here’s some examples of rods, reels and line perfect for the Bitterroot River, with different budgets in mind.
Lamson Liquid Outfit
The Lamson Liquid fly rod outfit is a perfect choice for Montana rivers.
Orvis Clearwater Outfit
The affordable Clearwater outfit has been a popular choice for years.
TFO NXT Black Label Outfit
We like the attractive price, great warranty, and TFO's solid reputation.
Lamson Velocity Fly Rod
The Velocity fast-action fly rod is well suited for the Bitterroot River.
RIO Products Avid Fly Line
This floating line is a good all around choice for Montana rivers.
Waders, Boots & Pants
For much of the year you’ll want to wear waders while fishing the Bitterroot River.
But during the summer months, many people wear lightweight fishing pants rather than waders.
If you plan to fish in warm and cold weather, you’ll probably want waders and pants. That’s what we do.
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You’re also going to need sturdy footwear to fish the Bitterroot River, especially if you will be wade fishing.
Getting around in the river without slipping or banging up your feet is really important.
Here’s some waders, boots and pants that are great options for fishing Montana’s Bitterroot River.
Simms Tributary Waders
Our experience with Simms waders has been fantastic over decades of use.
Simms Freestone Wading Boots
These durable boots feature rubber soles with spike and cleat options.
Simms Superlight Pant
These lightweight, quick drying, pants are perfect for summer fly fishing.
Pack & Accessories
A day on the river can last for many hours, and you’re often a long way from your vehicle.
A good day pack is essential to carry your fishing gear, snacks, and water.
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You’ll want to fill it with a selection of common fly fishing accessories to help you catch and release fish.
Here’s a couple of our favorite packs, and some accessories that should be inside for fishing the Bitterroot River.
Fishpond Waterdance Pro Guide Pack
We love the roomy design with plenty of storage for a day on the river.
Fishpond Cross Current Chest Pack
This pack is ideal if you prefer access to your flies and gear up front.
Loon Forceps & Nippers
Quality forceps and nippers are a required accessory for fly fishing.
RIO Products Tippet and Dispenser
You'll love having all your quality RIO tippet in one place with easy access.
Flies & Fly Boxes
If you look in our fishing bags, you’ll find lots of fly boxes full of all kinds of flies.
You’ll see a box for hoppers, nymphs, streamers, bead heads, buggers, stimulators, stones, salmonflies, and more.
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We built our collection by visiting local fly shops and buying flies from people who know what’s currently working, and we recommend that you do the same.
It’s a great way to learn about the sport and the river, and to support the local fly shops at the same time.
Here’s a couple of popular fly box styles you may want to have on hand to start building your collection.
Kingfisher Waterproof Fly Box
Double-sided fly box holds twice the number of flies than a slim box can.
Kingfisher Waterproof Slim Fly Boxes
Slim fly boxes are perfect to carry more fly collections with you.
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A Few More Things
There are a few more things we wouldn’t want to forget on our Montana fishing trip.
Water bottle. Fly fishing is active and you need to keep hydrated.
Polarized sunglasses. They make all the difference in the world. Carry backups.
Hat. You’ll want a hat to block the sun, improve your vision, and keep you dry when it rains.
Cutthroat Trout / Bitterroot Info
Lip balm. Fishing is hard on your lips with lots of sun and wind. We use lip balm with sunscreen.
Bath towel. We like standing on an old bath towel when we change in and out of our waders at the truck.
Plastic storage tub. We keep our wet waders and boots in a plastic storage tub to contain water, sand and mud.
Ziplock bags. Pack it in, pack it out. We keep gallon Ziplock’s in our pack for any trash we create.
More Bitterroot Valley Fishing Articles
Check out Fishing the Bitterroot River for more information about fishing our favorite river.
You’re going to need a Montana fishing license to fish. Our calculator will show you what it will cost.
Get the latest fishing reports from all the local sources in the Bitterroot and Missoula.
Fishing the Bitterroot River / Bitterroot Info
Can you identify the trout you just caught? Take our Montana trout test to test your knowledge.
The local fly shops will help you catch more fish, and stay safe in the process.
Be sure to review the Bitterroot River Streamflow before heading out.
Additional Resources
Current Montana Fishing Regulations can be found here.
Montana Fishing license information can be found here.
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