[et_pb_section background_color=”#6aceb6″ inner_shadow=”on” fullwidth=”on” background_image=”http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Bitterroot-IMG_3758.jpg” parallax=”off”][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Fullwidth Header – Bitterroot River” title=”Bitterroot River” subhead=”Wapiti Waters home river” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section background_color=”#ffffff” inner_shadow=”on” parallax=”off”][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n
The Bitterroot River<\/strong> in Montana has been Wapiti Waters\u2019 home river for over three decades. During this time we have observed not only the seasonal changes from summer to fall or the daily changes in the pulse of a March Brown mayfly emergence but also the annual changes associated with high water run-off events.<\/p>\n It is these events that sculpt and scour it\u2019s banks and channels as well as rearrange it\u2019s fish. Erosion is a process where new habitat is created or perhaps eliminated. Logs that have been eroded from it\u2019s banks and deposited somewhere along the channel form the classic Bitterroot \u201cholding water.\u201d They provide the necessary cover for daily survival and the shade to stay hidden in the heat of a summer day.<\/p>\n The Bitterroot is home to a thriving beaver population which can aid in the creation of new \u201clog buckets.\u201d Too many logs stacked upon a heavy water bank can create treacherous floating hazards. Sometimes a portage is necessary to be safe rather than sorry.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/ducks-IMG_2080-4×12.jpg” alt=”Mergnasers taking flight” url_new_window=”off” animation=”left” \/][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Bitterroot-20131013-IMG_1033.jpg” url_new_window=”off” animation=”left” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n Many tributaries of the Bitterroot River headwaters originate in wilderness areas giving the main river a good supply of pristine water up until late July.<\/p>\n The West Fork, it\u2019s main tributary has a dam which releases cold, clean water during the critical times of summer. The fisheries are a beneficiary of these enhanced flows as is the rancher who can grow his hay crop.<\/p>\n Finding a balance between the needs of a fishery and human activities has been an ongoing contentious issue as demands for these cold water releases are increasing. Fortunately, the Bitterroot River fish have an in-stream flow reservation of water, i.e. the trout have been given a little consideration.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n Despite increased recreational pressure which not only includes fishing but also boating, tubing, and swimming, the\u00a0Bitterroot River<\/a> seems to be thriving and still produces good numbers of westslope cutthroat<\/a>, some\u00a0brown<\/a> and\u00a0rainbow trout<\/a> as well as the cuttbow, a hybrid between cutthroat and rainbow trout.<\/p>\n Catch and release sections have been a big help as is the in-stream flow reservations. Based on the increased number of Missoula area guides who have an option to fish elsewhere, I would have to say the Bitterroot River in Montana is probably everyone\u2019s 1st choice to fish. You might as well experience it with knowledge and expertise.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/IMGP0427-1.jpg” url_new_window=”off” animation=”left” \/][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n Use this link to visit Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Bitterroot River description and facts!<\/a> An interactive map is available.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left”]<\/p>\n Big Hole River<\/a><\/span> |\u00a0 Blackfoot River<\/a>\u00a0<\/span> | Clark Fork River<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section background_color=”#2d3743″ inner_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Blurb” background_layout=”dark” image=”http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Kofflar-IMG_6906.jpg” title=”Kofflar Drift Boat” url_new_window=”off” animation=”top” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n Built of strong aluminum alloy, Jack’ Kofflar drift boat is comfortable, easy to row and stable.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Blurb” background_layout=”dark” image=”http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Raft-IMGP03942.jpg” title=”Raft” url_new_window=”off” animation=”top” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n Adding versatility, the Wapiti Waters raft is great when needing a lighter boat at certain fishing access sites or for for rivers with many boulders.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Blurb” background_layout=”dark” image=”http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Mayfly-IMG_5221.jpg” title=”We can provide fishing gear” url_new_window=”off” animation=”top” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n If you need any gear, just ask. We have rods, waders, shoes, flies, even extra clothing.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_blurb admin_label=”Blurb” background_layout=”dark” image=”http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Sandwich-4×6-P6280010-1.jpg” title=”Lunch and snacks” url_new_window=”off” animation=”top” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n We provide delicious river lunches including beverages and snacks. If you have dietary needs or preferences, let us know.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section background_color=”#f5f5f5″ inner_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” text_orientation=”center” background_layout=”light”]<\/p>\n Follow us on the river by reading our blog. Below are posts tagged “Bitterroot.”<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_blog admin_label=”Blog” fullwidth=”off” show_pagination=”off” posts_number=”3″ meta_date=”M j, Y” show_thumbnail=”on” show_content=”off” show_author=”on” show_date=”on” show_categories=”on” include_categories=”173″ background_layout=”light” \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section background_color=”#7EBEC5″][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_cta admin_label=”Call To Action” title=”Call soon to start planning your Bitterroot River fishing trip” button_url=”http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/rivers-we-fish\/contact\/” button_text=”Contact Us” background_layout=”dark” background_color=”none” use_background_color=”on” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n If you are interested in working together, send us an inquiry and we will get back to you as soon as we can!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [et_pb_section background_color=”#6aceb6″ inner_shadow=”on” fullwidth=”on” background_image=”http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Bitterroot-IMG_3758.jpg” parallax=”off”][et_pb_fullwidth_header admin_label=”Fullwidth Header – Bitterroot River” title=”Bitterroot River” subhead=”Wapiti Waters home river” background_layout=”dark” text_orientation=”left” \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section background_color=”#ffffff” inner_shadow=”on” parallax=”off”][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left”] The Bitterroot River in Montana has been Wapiti Waters\u2019 home river for over three decades. During this time we have observed not only the seasonal changes from summer […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":1484,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1738"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1738"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1738\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1819,"href":"http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1738\/revisions\/1819"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.wapiti-waters.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1738"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Recent Blog Posts<\/h2>\n