For the committed dry fly angler, a two-fly nymph rig can be a bit intimidating. For those willing to double up on their nymphs, the results can make it more than worthwhile to put in the additonal effort. We'll leave it to John to show you how it's done in this informative video: https://youtu.be/I1CMS1h76Wo
7 Day Outlook:
In the Missoula valley, this week's weather forecast looks pretty rough for the next few days, with consistent cloudy weather and intermittent precipitation. By the middle of the week the sun should reappear and daytime temperatures should be a tad warmer.
*Known Clark Fork Hazards:
Clinton-Turah: A few VERY sketchy spots through this section. Do not attempt unless you are very experienced.
Best Techniques:
On the Clark Fork, fishing continues to been productive. The fall bite is living up to expectations and trout have been feeding throughout the day. Unless you're seeing fish rising, an indicator rig with one or two nymphs (maybe even a worm pattern) should produce. Streamers have also been productive for both trout as well as Northern Pike. A sinking line will help make sure you're getting your fly down deep enough for trout to take notice of your fly. On those cloudy days, keep an eye out for trout rising to October Caddis, Mahoganies, and Blue Winged Olives. Mornings have been chilly so there's no need to hurry to the boat ramp this week. Check out our reccomended fly patterns to see what's been working.
*Traveling or in a hurry? Let our knowledgeable staff pick a fly selection for you!
*Call us for up to the minute updates at 406.542.7411 or if you are in the area stop in for all your gear and the right bugs.
DRIES
Para. Adams Sparkle Purple #12-18
Clook's Beefcake Hecuba #12
Morrish October Caddis Adult #12
Mahogany Sparkle Dun #14-16
Parachute BWO #18-20
Missing Link BWO #13-20
NYMPHS
TJ Hooker #8-12 - Brown/Coffee
Hot Bead Power Worm #06-10
Jig Prince #8-12
Frenchie #12-14
Perdigons and Bullets #12-14
Duracell #12-16
Hot Bead Rubber Legs #8-12 - Black
STREAMERS
Lil' Kim #04-08
Wooly Bugger/Thin Mint #6-10
Sparkle Minnow #04-08
Kreelex #04-06
Micro Dungeons #10 - Tan, Olive, White
Mini Ice Pick #6
Double Gonga #4-8
Drunk & Disorderly #4-8 - Olive, Black
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.
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...
The Chubby Chernobyl is one of the most versatile and effective foam flies on the market. Changing the size or color of this pattern can help you imitate a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial i...
This extended body mayfly dry is a must have for matching any mayfly hatch. When the trusty Parachute Adams just isn't getting it done, we switch to this fly right here. It has become a secret weap...
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...
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...
"'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...
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.
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 ...
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...
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...
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 Skwalla nymphs but they also resemble small cra...
One of our guides favorite nymph patterns. The Spanish Bullet is the fly to match all your tiny Stonefly and Mayfly needs. Jigged with a tungsten bead.
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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
"Tag nymphs are certainly not new to fly fishing. However, in my opinion, they are highly underused and under-appreciated in the USA.I was first introduced to them in Tasmania back in 2007. Ou...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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