Big Hole River
Bighorn River
Bitterroot River
Bitterroot River, East Fork
Bitterroot River, West Fork
Blackfoot River
Clark Fork River
Middle Fork Flathead River
North Fork Flathead River
Flint Creek
Gallatin River
Georgetown Lake
Kootenai River
Madison River, Between Quake Lake and Ennis
Madison River, Below Ennis Lake
Missouri, Below Holter Dam
Rock Creek
Yellowstone River
| Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby: |
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| Linehan Outfitting Company |
Water flow: Approximately 7400 cfs
Visibility: 44 inches
Water temperature at mid-day: 48 Degrees F
Water condition: Moderately Turbid
Best time of day to fish: 10 am until dark
Best stretch: Conditions are about the same on all stretches but lower river might offer better fishing since there are more riffles and faster water.
Best access point: All access points are open.
Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:
baetis
Fish species: rainbow, westslope cutthroat, brown, mountain whitefish, pike minnow
Fishing season: March-November
Nearest airport: Six of one/half dozen of the other...Spokane, Washington the west or Missoula, Montana to the east.
Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet: 4X Tippet
Best fly fishing rod: 9' 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line: WF Trout Fly Line
Best sinking fly line: Bank Shot Sink Tip Fly Line
The Lower Clark Fork River is approximately fifty miles west of Missoula and below the Alberton Gorge. This section of the Clark Fork looks and smells a bit different from the river that runs through Missoula. Above the town of St. Regis the river is broad and runs with very little gradient making for some of the best dry fly water in the state. Below St. Regis the gradient increases as the river runs north ...
It's still a bit early for full on skwala hatch but any day that will change. For now nymphing is best bet. When you hit skinny water dry dropper rigs will carry you throughout the day.
Unfortunately the Clark Fork is rising fast due to warm days and low elevation snow in the Bitterroots and around Missoula. For now, it's not very fishable. It may start dropping once low elevation snow is gone but hard to say. Stay tuned.
