You may not see the typical runs, riffles and pools you would normally see in a trout stream. Fortunately the combination off the clean Bitterroot helps dissipate the nutrients and the algae bloom is not too prolific. Missoula Montana Weather. Here the small headwater stream, Silver Bow Creek, twists and winds beside the Anaconda Settling Ponds until joining Warm Springs Creek at the Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area where it becomes the Clark Fork. Kohrs Bend – Meadows and Meandering. By mid-July, you're starting to see the beginnings of the yearly grasshopper "hatch. " That isn't necessarily true below the Blackfoot River confluence. Anyone interested in fishing Clarks Fork Yellowstone River or waters within the wider area around Billings should consult with local resources before heading out to fish. How is the Fatty Factor rated? The hatches are prolific, but will be on the decline as the heat sets in. 06/11/21 The river is still in runoff too high to fish.
The Clark Fork forges west receiving the Big and Little Blackfoot Rivers, Rock Creek, the Bitterroot River, Petty Creek, Fish Creek, the Flathead River, Thompson River, and numerous small tributaries. If no luck still, then maybe use all resorts of nymph tactics, maybe a 6 or 7 foot rig and work the seams and foam holes. About the Clark Fork River. Just ensure a perfect drag-free drift as dead flies don't swim! Yellow Sallies, or Little Yellow Stoneflies, hatch from the middle of May all the way through the middle of August, again, depending on the section of the river. The removal of the dam hurt some of our populations of both insects and trout west of town, but I think we are bouncing back strong, just my opinion. We provide three different background maps: dark, light, and satellite. Dry fly fishing is usually exceptional from Spring to Fall. Our fishing reports come straight from our fly fishing guides that are on the Big Hole River, Beaverhead River, Jefferson River, and Clark Fork River daily. BH Hare's Ear Nymph. They hatch starting about the middle of June and lasting until as late as the first of August.
The river otters are out fishing right now, so maybe you should too. With that said, the fish that are found tend to be huge, and each year, photos of 30″ trout surface from the lower Clark Fork. I usually start with a skwala and a dropper and if the magic happens, maybe the dropper can just come off or be replaced with another dry. With the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. The lower river by Superior and St. Regis has a lot more riffles and can be a nice option for now until the heat drives the water temps up.
The size of this river can be intimidating to most, but our guides are experienced on over 150 miles of this river! You can wade the upper parts of the Clark Fork above the confluence of the Blackfoot River fairly easy in most places. Some sections of the river has brown trout that have been caught approaching thirty inches. Fishing on the lower Clark Fork is an option and there may even be some midge sippers in the afternoon, but overall the hatches are always a little later than the Bitterroot at this time of year.
You'll get a mix of warm and cold-water species here depending on air temperatures and season. There may be some fish in the foam holes on dries if your lucky, but this stretch needs to settle down. As always, weather is the biggest factor on the Mo in the spring. They are like jelly fish floating around ready to grab your fly. The Clark Fork has many sections of water that are difficult to read or determine where the trout may be holding or feeding. As long as there are Salmon flies and Golden Stones around, the trout will look to feed on them in very high water conditions. Landownership data is included in the map.
To fend off the heat, look for heavier riffles and throw some stonefly patterns or even hoppers with droppers. SHUTTES FOREST GROVE $30. Located in a remote conifer forest with granite formations, and a large meadow at the end of the road. Although not having any designated FAS, this section boasts quality access points via bridge crossings on county roads. It is safe to say that the Clark Fork is back! Generally, this section is more challenging to wade, but for the anglers willing to work for it, there's excellent fishing to be had in the many riffles and runs. Fishing the Middle Clark Fork. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at. Olive Stimulator 8-12. Large, feisty Rainbow Trout dominate the landscape down here, and large foam creations reign supreme, sometimes even during intense hatches of insects. The fishing hours can be tough in that 5 to 9 window, but the late evening caddis can be fun to try and hit. With each day that passes, the trout realize that the season to fatten up and prepare for the winter is upon us.
Target slow, walking speed water instead of faster runs. For larger nymphs and streamers a 9-foot 6-wt with a sink tip fly line makes life easier. In this section, your patience is required, and spring creek tactics are needed. Fish when it drops back down.
07/18/20 The river level is still too high for wading most every way. If you want more check out my HUGE guide -> Where to Fly Fish in Montana. Check out the multi-day packages. The fishing has been so good the last few days that a good drift in the right spot is going to get rewarded, and Dan and Bill had bent rods often in the morning. Rock Creek is fishing well right now with hoppers, nymphs and streamers.
The October Caddis are being seen on the Blackfoot, and while the fish are taking the adults sporadically, the pupa are really working. 08/19/20 All sections of the river are turning out good catches for our. It is a large river best suited to fishing from a boat. Pack a lunch along with a variety of flies. 2/14/2023-Missoula, Montana Fly Fishing Report April is a great time for fly fishing in the Missoula, Montana area, particularly on. To better understand fly-fishing patterns, conditions to predict ferocity of fishable events and locations.