Clark Fork River Fishing Report
Conditions At-a-glance
Our Report
Local Forecast
Deer Lodge, MT, USAThe Hatch
Goldenstones and PMDsFeatured Flies
Montana Fly Company
MFC Jake's Depth Charge Jig Worm- Hot Pink
Price
$3.25
Rio Products
Rio's Sili-Leg Stone Orange Tungsten Bead- Black
Price
$3.25
Montana Fly Company
Articulated Sparkle Yummy JJ
Price
$7.95
Montana Fly Company
Coffey's Conehead Sparkle Minnow
Price
$4.95
Montana Fly Company
MFC Chicago Overcoat- Sculpin
Price
$4.50
USGS Water Charts
Specifics
Link to Water Flow Graph
Visibility
Slightly Off Color
Water temperature at mid-day
56
Water Condition
Dropping and slightly off color
Best time of day to fish
Mid-Morning to the Evening
Best stretch
Many options, both above and below town
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.- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
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