Conditions At-a-glance
good
Our Report
TIPS OF THE WEEK –
1. As the water drops, the fish will move away from the banks and into more “normal” holding areas
2. Single dry flies have been working depending on what is most abundantly hatching.
3. The water is high and fast. First of all, stay safe. If you’re floating ask us about obstructions. This river is not for novice paddlers. Please reach out to us before floating. Fishing from a boat is illegal starting July 1 but you can still float.
7 DAY OUTLOOK –
Water levels are on the drop for now. Stay safe out there.
BEST TECHNIQUES – Dry dropper rigs and double and single rig nymphing, mid-length leash.
Good luck and don’t forget to stop in our Philipsburg shop Flint Creek Outdoors and our NEW JACKALOPE JOE’S espresso bar! We’re open 7:30-5 seven days a week. Be sure to stop in to talk to Josh, grab a coffee, some Orvis gear, and flies from the the best fly selection in the region.
CHECK OUT OUR NEW ONLINE STORE
The Hatch
Yellow Sallies, PMD's, Golden Stones, Caddis, Drakes, Salmonflies
Fly Patterns
NYMPHS - Pat's Rubber Legs in black, brown, #6-#10; Pheasant Tail Nymph, #10-18; Pink San Juan Worm #8-10; Hot Bead San Juan Worm Red; Montana Prince tan #12-16, double bead stone black #4
DRIES - Green drake #10-12; Purple haze #18-20; micro chubby chernobyl, chubby chernobyl in various colors/sizes
STREAMERS - Sparkle Minnow #6 in Olive; Zonkers #6, 8 in Natural, Olive, or Yellow; Kreelex Minnow #6 in Copper/Gold, Gold/Silver, or Purple/Silver.
Specifics
Water Flow
1071 cfs at the time of this report
Visibility
42"
Water temperature at mid-day
60 deg
Water Condition
Clear
Best time of day to fish
Morning through evening
Best stretch
The entire creek is fishing well.
Best access point
Upper: Gilles Bridge
Lower: Valley of the Moon
Fish species
Cutthroat, rainbow, cutt-bow, brown, bull, some brook trout, and whitefish.
Fishing season
Open year round, but catch and release for trout during winter.
Nearest airport
Missoula International Airport
Recommended fly fishing leader
9' 3x
Recommended fly fishing tippet
3x and 4x top to bottom bug respectively unless you are swinging streamers then bump up to 2x
Best fly fishing rod
Crisp 9' 5wt for nymphing but super fun spot to swing streamers with switch rods.
