Clark Fork River Fishing Report

Conditions At-a-glance

Our Report

Tip of the Week The Clark Fork is still pumping a lot of water but is on the drop. The upper end of the Clark Fork has cleared up nicely. Focus on the soft water sections and eddies on the Clark Fork. Fish will find themselves in there with the main current running bigger. With the rivers still running big, remember the creeks and stillwaters are open, and could be a good spot while the rivers are taking shape.

7 Day Outlook Throughout the Missoula valley, expect passing rain showers on Saturday and Sunday. Temperatures will hover in the mid-50s over the weekend before rebounding into the 60s and 70s throughout the week.

Best Techniques Go big or go home with your nymphing setups. Stick to massive stonefly patterns, bright red or pink San Juan worms, and heavy Zirdle Bugs. Because the river is full, swinging or stripping large streamers on fast-sinking tips is an excellent option. Make sure your fly sinks quickly into the fishy zone.

Conditions change fast! Call us at 406.542.7411 for the most recent updates on area rivers, fly selection, and gear recommendations. Local to Missoula? Swing through the shop to get dialed in with the best gear from Orvis, Patagonia, and Skwala, plus the exact bugs they're eating today.

Local Forecast

Deer Lodge, MT, USA

The Hatch

Salmonflies and Goldenstones

USGS Water Charts

Specifics

Visibility

Off Color

Water temperature at mid-day

56

Water Condition

High and 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.