Trout Fishing at the Alta Ranch
Two-thirds of a mile of the upper West Fork of the Bitterroot
River winds through the Alta Ranch. The upper West Fork is ideal for walk-and-wade fly
fishing.
Its sparkling clear, cold water harbors a good population of wild trout. The upper West
Fork is considered one of the very best native cutthroat trout streams in Montana. It also
holds brook, brown, rainbow and bull trout, and mountain whitefish. It
fishes best from the end of spring runoff in June through October. State
regulations require bull trout and cutthroats to be released.
The Alta Ranch also has a stocked
catch-and-release trout
pond teeming with brookies and rainbows. Fly rods are
available for daily rental.
From the Alta Ranch you can easily
reach several larger rivers to fish including the main Bitterroot and Big Hole rivers in
Montana and the Selway and Salmon rivers in Idaho. There are also countless streams and
mountain lakes throughout the area. Whirling disease is not present here. Rainbows,
cutthroats, brookies, browns, and bull trout are abundant.
Top-notch local guides offer half-day and full-day catch-and-release fishing float trips.