Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the Clark Fork River. In addition to its breathtaking beauty and relatively easy access via
its close proximity to the road, the Bitterroot River offers diverse waters, with everything
from riffles and pools to flats and gravel bars. Rainbow trout are the most plentiful fish,
but browns and cutthroats can be found in the upper portion of the river, upstream from
Hamilton. The best-known hatch is probably the spring Skwala hatch, which usually starts
in March, one of the earliest in the state, and lasts well into April. All fishing during the
Skwala hatch is strictly catch-and-release. In late June-early July, after the river has cleared
of spring runoff, the big hatches are the Green Drake and Brown Drake hatches, which can
last for several weeks. In the fall, September-October, the tiny Trico hatch offers some of
the best (and toughest) fishing on the river. In general, the farther you get from Missoula,
the fewer the anglers and the better the fishing. Still, there is wonderful wading and floating
all along the river.
With so much productive water, it's no surprise that there are plenty of guides in
the region.
Western Flies & Guides
(906 S. 1st St., Hamilton, 406/363-9099,
www.westernfliesandguides.com
,
$450/day for 1-2 anglers) is a good place to start, both for
guided fishing and for equipment and flies. Missoula native Tom Jenni of
Tom Jenni's Reel
Montana
(406/539-6610 or 866/885-6065,
www.tomjenni.com
)
guides in the area and is
an exceptional all-around guide.
Hiking and Biking
With two mountain ranges on either side of the valley, the hiking and biking opportunities
in the Bitterroot are endless. The
Stevensville Ranger Station
(88 Main St., Stevensville,
406/777-5461,
www.fs.fed.us/r1/bitterroot
) and the
Bitterroot National Forest Office
(1801 N. 1st St., Hamilton, 406/363-7100) are great places to get maps and ideas.
It's possible in this valley to hike portions of both the
Lewis and Clark Trail
through
the Bitterroot Mountains and the
Nee-Me-Poo Trail,
the route of the Nez Perce on their
fateful 1877 flight from the U.S. Army. The Nee-Me-Poo Trail is at the southern end of the
valley near Sula, and the Lewis and Clark Trail is farther north near Lolo Pass.
Among the most popular areas to hike because of its supremely rugged beauty is
Blod-
gett Canyon,
5 miles northwest of Hamilton in the Bitterroot Mountains. The out-and-back
hike is spectacular from the get-go with a nice stream and canyon walls. There are several
waterfalls along the way, including a beautiful one at 3.6 miles, and the most dedicated can
hike a full 12.5 miles to Blodgett Lake, making it a 25-mile trip. The trail is never too steep,
and there is plenty of wildlife—including moose, deer, and elk—farther into the canyon. To
find the trailhead, turn west off U.S. Highway 93 2 miles north of Hamilton onto Bowman
