Conditions At-a-glance

Our Report

Tip of the Week:

This week's tip is about fishing streamers! As we see more streamer weather in our forecast, it's highly advantageous for anglers to throw a streamer after they're done drifting dry flies or a nymph rig over a hole. If you have a spare rod you can rig up with your streamer separate from your dry/ nymph setup you're primarily working with, then you can be very efficient, allowing you to throw a few casts with a streamer each time you fishing fishing a hole. As we get into fall, anglers should start to have a good idea of where the streamer eaters like to hang out!

7 Day Outlook: 

Next week in the Missoula valley, temperatures will stay cool with a mix of cloudy and partly sunny days. Rain is expected on several days, especially early in the week, and there may be some morning fog. Winds will be light to moderate, creating calm conditions overall.

**There are currently fishing restrictions on the Clark Fork river by Montana FWP. Please refer to Montana FWP’s current waterbody restrictions to see the latest.** 

*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 has been productive. Nymphs are the primary focus for feeding trout right now. As terrestrials become more active on sunny afternoons, fish will be looking up. Anglers have been having success on general attractors as well as our reccommended hopper, ant, and beetle patterns. Keep an eye out for mahoganies, they are starting to be seen in small numbers. With cloudy, cool days in the forecast, streamers are a great option as well!

*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 gear and the right bugs.

DRIES
Para. Adams Sparkle Purple #12-18
Chubby Chernobyl #6-12 - Purple
Water Walker #8-12 - Gold, Tan
Shanafelt's Mongo Hopper #10-12 - Tan
Para-Ant #14-18 - Black
Glo Ant #14-18
Clook's Beefcake Hecuba #12

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
RIO's Anty Raid TB #16 - Black, Cinnamon

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

Local Forecast

Deer Lodge, MT, USA

Conditions

Clear

The Hatch

Hoppers, Ants, Beetles, and just a few Mahoganies!

USGS Water Charts

Specifics

Visibility

60"

Water temperature at mid-day

63F

Water Condition

Clear and low

Best time of day to fish

Early mornings until mid day

Best stretch

Most of the river is looking pretty good now, however the lower river isn't fishing quite as well. Wading access is difficult, try Kelly Island. Avoid Clinton-Turah if floating.

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.