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Clark Fork River Fishing Report

Clark Fork River Fishing Report

Conditions At-a-glance

Our Report

Tip of the Week:

When river flows rise, fish often move out of their usual lies and into softer, slower-moving water where they can conserve energy. In these conditions, especially when visibility is low, you'll need to present your fly right in front of them to get an eat. Focus your efforts on prime holding water and make multiple clean, drag-free drifts to maximize your chances.

*See our 7 Day Outlook for updates on blockages jamming up the Clark Fork.

7 Day Outlook:

The Clark Fork River is running high and off-color due to continued spring runoff, making fishing more difficult in many sections. Cooler, unsettled weather with highs in the 50s and 60s and periodic showers may slow snowmelt slightly, but flows are still expected to remain elevated. Fish are likely to be pushed to the edges so focus on softer water near the banks, seams, and eddies. Nymphing with stonefly patterns and worms is a solid choice in these conditions, while streamers fished low and slow can also move fish in murky water. The upper Clark Fork and sheltered backwaters may offer slightly better visibility and more fishable water. Wading should be approached with caution, and checking flows before heading out is highly recommended.

*Known Clark Fork Hazards:

Beavertail-Clinton: 2 logs down in the left channel just above Clinton.  You can sneak through now, but it is tight.

Clinton-Turah: A few VERY sketchy spots through this section.  Do not attempt unless you are very experienced.

Best Techniques:

Time to bobber up again.  With high dirty water double your chances of finding fish with a double nymph rig.  Go BIG on your flies until clarity is greater than 2 feet of visibility.  As clarity improves we may have the opportunity for good dry fly fishing on Caddis and Drakes.  If you’re fishing a dry dropper try running a foam salmonfly pattern.  1) the fish might see the dry and move for a big meal, and 2) it’ll hold up a big dropper.  This is 6wt season!

Steamers: Sculpzilla, Articulated Sparkle Yummy, Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex, Gongas, Dungeons and Envys.

Nymphs: Worms, Trina’s Squirm, Hot Bead Stone, TJ Hooker, Girdle Bugs, Jig Caddis Pupa, Duracell, Blowtorch, Jig Mini Bugger

Dries: 

BWO: On Point, Purple Haze, Hi-Vis BWO, BWO Cripple, Dime Piece Spinner #18-20

March Brown: Brindlechute, Parachute PT, March Brown Cripple #12-14

Grey Drake: Film Critic, Flash Cripple, Carnage Drake #12

Caddis: Elk Hair Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis, Hi-Vis CDC Caddis #12-14

*Traveling or in a hurry?  Let our knowledgeable staff pick a fly selection for you!

*The Online Store is updated daily!  Check it out!

*Call us for up to the minute updates at 406.542.7411 or if you are in the area stop in for all your Orvis gear and the right bugs.

Local Forecast

Deer Lodge, MT, USA

The Hatch

BWOs, March Browns, Grey Drakes and Mothers Day Caddis.

Featured Flies

Dries

Nymphs

Streamers
Hot Spot Para-Wulff Hot Spot Para-Wulff
$2.95
$2.95
A slim-bodied version, featuring a hot spot, of a few top notch parachute patterns. We love to fish these when a simmer profile is necessary to get the attention of those big picky sippers.
Plan B Plan B
$3.50
$3.50
A fly designed specifically for the rivers around Missoula. The Plan B in Olive is a phenomenal choice for anglers wanting Skwala dry eats. It sits extremely low to the water making it float very r...
Stranahan's Brindle Chute
$2.95
$2.95
The Brindle Chute, from legendary Bitterroot angler and fly tyer Chuck Stranahan, was developed to match the mayfly hatches on our local waters. The buoyancy and bug like characteristics make it ha...
Henry's Fork Foam Stone Henry's Fork Foam Stone
$3.50
$3.50
This variation of a Chubby Chernobyl is one of Mike’s “deadly dozen.” Designed to fool the finicky trout of the Henry’s Fork, this fly will get them anywhere stoneflies are present. This pattern is...
Carlson's Purple Haze
$2.95
$2.95
"'Scuse me while I cast this dry!"... The most popular mayfly pattern in western Montana, hands down. It's capable of matching the hatch, prospecting, and being an all around confidence fly when it...
Purple Haze Cripple
$2.95
$2.95
A cripple version of the famous Purple Haze pattern. In our experience this bug works really well on Stillwater and for those picky trout during thick mayfly hatches.
Film Critic Film Critic
$2.95
$2.95
Hands down one of the best mayfly emergers in the game, the Film Critic shines on technical waters, especially spring creeks. It represents a hatching mayfly at its most vulnerable stage, giving ...
Elk Hair Caddis Elk Hair Caddis
$2.95
$2.95
This pattern is another of those you should not be without. Caddis are a staple food for trout and are available many months per year. This can be fished many different ways to elicit a strike. Dea...
Stimi Chew-Toy Stimi Chew-Toy
$2.95
$2.95
Same as the Stimulator, but has rubber legs and a poly wing for added attraction. This is one of those classic attractor patterns that are a staple fly here in Western Montana. The rubber legs he...
Parachute Adams
$2.95
$2.95
A variation of the Adams, this fly has been around for about a century now in various forms and recipes but the parachute iteration seems to be the most well loved. This fly is the fly you want p...
TJ Hooker
$2.95
$2.95
Whether the mottled tan or dark brown is better remains an ongoing guide debate.  Both work exceptionally well.  Our guess is trout mistake these for stonefly nymphs but they also resemble small cr...
Jig Napoleon Jig Napoleon
$2.95
$2.95
As a highly versatile and efficient fly, the Jig Napoleon boasts a quill body and Its tungsten material adds extra weight for getting down quickly. These quill body perdigons are lethal on the wate...
Jig Perdigon Jig Perdigon
$2.95
$2.95
Designed for optimal fly fishing performance, the Jig Perdigon features a tungsten bead for dense weight that ensures your flies get down quick in the water column. The eye-catching design and drop...
Tungsten Jig Pheasant Tail Tungsten Jig Pheasant Tail
$2.95
$2.95
Another classic pattern that imitates Mayfly nymphs perfectly. This fly has been around for a long time and it's not going anywhere. This version is jigged with a tungsten bead and flash back to ma...
Jig Frenchie Jig Frenchie
$2.95
$2.95
There is something about the Frenchie that just catches more fish than its mayfly nymph competitors. A simple fly that produces outstanding results. Try the Yellow version in #16 for PMDs
Jig Caddis Pupa Jig Caddis Pupa
$2.95
$2.95
Our go-to caddis nymph.
Blowtorch Blowtorch
$2.95
$2.95
The Blowtorch is a staple! With its versatility and effectiveness in all seasons and water conditions. This reliable fly is a must-have in your fly box, providing great success for catching fish on...
Sili Leg Stone Coffee/Black
$2.95
$2.95
The Trusted Classic Stonefly Nymph. This pattern is excellent for imitating  Stoneflies in their aquatic form. Before the hatch ramps up on the surface, Trout are sure to be feeding below. To dial ...
Hot Bead Power Worm Hot Bead Power Worm
$2.95
$2.95
Hot-bead worms are a mainstay in our rivers all year long but especially in late winter and early spring. For reasons unknown to us the hot bead and red color is always better in colder water.  Fis...
Tungsten Jig Pheasant Tail- Flashback
$2.95
$2.95
Another classic pattern that imitates Mayfly nymphs perfectly. This fly has been around for a long time and it's not going anywhere. This version is jigged with a tungsten bead and flash back to ma...
Coffey's Conehead Sparkle Minnow Coffey's Conehead Sparkle Minnow
$4.95
$4.95
We were fishing streamers long before fishing streamers was cool but we have to admit, Coffey’s sparkle minnow literally changed the game. There was a time when spring streamer action was limited t...
Beadhead Woolly Bugger Beadhead Woolly Bugger
$2.95
$2.95
Same as the Woolly Bugger but with a beadhead for added weight. Good for lakes and rivers everywhere, from winter to summer. Our undying love of the woolly bugger isn't going anywhere, this is on...
Galloup's Mini Peanut Envy Galloup's Mini Peanut Envy
$6.95
$6.95
A Peanut Envy tied on smaller hooks but without losing any of the movement that this streamer is known for.
Thin Mint Bugger TB
$3.95
$3.95
If you've ever eaten a thin mint cookie, you know how good they are and how you can't just eat one. The Thin Mint Bugger comes with a tungsten bead and a tri colored marabou tail. Whether you swing...
Lil' Kim
$4.95
$4.95
It's the L-I-L to the K-I-M, baby. Cast and strip, or swing with a trout spey set up. No streamer box would be complete without the Lil' Kim. Get it in copper to keep things natural, silver for wat...
Kreelex Kreelex
$4.95
$4.95
Essentially a full flash Clouser Minnow, the Kreelex has proven its worth as a fish catching machine wherever predators eat small baitfish.  The slim profile and large dumbbell eyes allow it to sin...
Galloup's Peanut Envy Galloup's Peanut Envy
$6.95
$6.95
A lighter version of the Circus Peanut with more movement. A versatile streamer that consistently works well on various styles of retrieves.

USGS Water Charts

Specifics

Link to Water Flow Graph

https://waterdata.usgs.gov/mt/nwis/uv?site_no=12353000"

Visibility

Low.

Water temperature at mid-day

50F

Water Condition

On the rise with low visibility.

Best time of day to fish

Mid-day to evening

Best stretch

The whole river is in play. Be wary of hazards on the upper river.

Best access point

Multiple access points all along the river.

Fish Species

Rainbows, westslope cutthroats, cutbows, browns, northern pike, pike minnows, suckers and whitefish.

Fishing Season

Fishing season is open year round.

Nearest airport

MSO (Missoula International Airport)

Recommended fly fishing leader

From a boat - 7.5' 3x-4x. Wading step it up to 9'

Recommended fly fishing tippet

3X, 4X and 5X will cover 90% of our fishing applications. 1-2X is great for punching out large, wind resistant dries in high dirty water. Don't drop lower than 10lb for streamers (we recommend a 4-5' 10lb tapered leader with a sink tip fly line). Leave the 6X at home.

Best fly fishing rod

The 9' 5WT is our do it all rod. Fast action rods will be best for most of our fishing; foam dries, dry-dropper fishing and nymphing. A fast action 6WT will be useful for large foam dries, small streamers, heavy nymph rigs and punching bugs through the afternoon wind. Bring a 7WT if you plan to fish large articulated streamers.

Best floating fly line

Scientific Anglers MPX or Rio Grand

Best sinking fly line

Scientific Anglers Trout Express or Rio Predator F/I/S3

About This Water

Having the Clark Fork in your back yard is like getting a two for one deal at your favorite brewery – every day!  The Clark above Missoula slides under deep cut banks and around beaver cut logs harboring long jawed browns and streamer chasing cutbows.  After meeting up with Rock Creek, the Blackfoot and the Bitterroot, the Clark Fork’s complexion radically changes to a wide sweeping river with big, hard-fighting rainbows and even bigger Montana big sky vistas.  The Clark Fork is like two completely different rivers only minutes from Missoula.  Come fish them both with us this year.