Red Rock River Montana Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone/Tailwater
Species
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
Grayling
Cutthroat Trout
Size
Small to Medium – 70 miles long
Location
Southwestern Montana
Nearest Towns
Ennis Montana
Island Park Idaho
Season
3rd Sat. May – Nov 30th
Access:
Access is great but the remote upper
section requires some hiking. The
lower section is difficult except near
the dam and bridges.
Non-Resident License
State of Montana
Weather
National Weather Service Link
Seasons:
Fly fishing the Red Rock River can be good any day of the season.
Spring:
Springtime is a prime time for fly fishing the Red Rock River except during runoff..
Summer:
Summertime is the most popular time to fish the stream.
Fall:
Fall is the best time to fish the tailwater section of the Red Rock River. The brown trout spawn in the Fall and are easier to catch.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Red Rock River in Montana
If your looking for some solitude in Montana and plenty of trout, it isn’t difficult to find. Fly fishing the upper part of the Red Rock River will accomplish that for you. The
headwaters of its tributary streams start out at over 9,000 feet near the continental divide close to the Idaho and Montana state line in Southwestern Montana.
The Red Rock River holds a good population of trout in two places along its seventy mile long course. Its upper headwaters is a small stream but it holds plenty of cutthroat and some grayling. Although it is very remote it’s a great small stream to fish. Access is not a problem thanks to the public land it flows through.
Fishing is prohibited on both upper and lower Red Rock Lakes as well as the river between them. From there it flows through Red Rocks Lakes National Wildlife Refuse
and on into Lima Reservoir.
The tailwater below Lima Reservoir holds a good population of both brown and rainbow trout. Fly fishing the Red Rock River in this section can be done from a canoe or small pontoon type drift boat. The river flows through mostly private land and access is limited to the two bridge crossings. The rainbows average about 12 inches but the browns grow much, much larger.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies – Red Rock River Montana
Fly Line:
We suggest a 5 weight fly line for most of the dry fly fishing on the Red Rock River. You could get by in the headwaters with a smaller line size. You will probably want to use a 6 weight fly line for streamers and large nymphs in the tailwater section..
Fly Rod:
You would want a fly rod to handle both of the above line sizes. The five weight fly rod should be between eight and one half to nine feet in length. A medium action would be best in our opinion. The 6 weight rod would be best in a nine foot length and a medium fast action. We think a slightly stiffer tip makes a better nymph rod.
Fly Reel:
Both reels, the one for the five weight rod and the six weight rod, should have good disc drags. The drag should be smooth and adjust to fine increments.
Leaders:
You should probably be using at least a 7 foot leader. There are a few situations where you may want to go up to 12 feet, such as during the Trico hatch on the lower section or when you are fishing midges. Shorter leaders may be preferred for streamers. We recommend you have spare leaders in sizes ranging from 1X for streamers, up to 7X for small dry flies.
Tippet:
Spare tippet material should range in sizes ranging from 1X to 7X.
Waders:
Waders are recommended. We always prefer the breathable type unless you are fishing in extremely cold water. You may prefer neoprene waders for the cold water.
Wading Boots:
Felt soles would be our choice. The new rubber soles may work well. We haven’t tried them there yet.
Wading Staff:
A wading staff would be strictly optional.
Landing Net:
We recommend a landing net, but it isn’t a requirement.
Flies:
We always recommend our “Perfect Fly” Trout Flies. These flies are far more realistic and far more effective that most flies are on the Red Rock River tailwater and the upper headwaters of the Red Rock River. If you haven’t already done so, please give them a try. We feel certain you will be happy you did.