Cooler nights are finally pushing water temps down, and trout are starting to perk back up. On the Bitterroot and Blackfoot, hopper-dropper rigs are still solid, but baetis and mahogany duns are beginning to show during cloudy afternoons. Browns are getting more aggressive as spawning season nears.
Walleye action is steady on Fort Peck and Canyon Ferry. Fish are holding deeper on rocky structure, with crawler harnesses and slow trolled crankbaits producing best. Smallmouth are also hitting jigs around points and ledges.
Up in the high country, alpine lakes are in prime shape. Cutthroat and brookies are cruising shorelines in the evenings, and spinners or small dries are still hot. September is shaping up as the sweet spot before fall weather really sets in.
