Conditions At-a-glance
good
Our Report
TIPS OF THE WEEK –
1. They’re looking up. Golden stones, pmd’s, yellow sallies, and caddis are all active. Take your pick, it’s officially bug soup!
2. Also the post hatch evening streamer bite can be good.
3. Bring a thermometer. The water is warm. If it is above 65 deg fish earlier or later.
7 DAY OUTLOOK –
The water is low for this time of year with limited precipitation in the forecast. Fishing early and late will be the ticket as the water continues to clear.
BEST TECHNIQUES – Prospecting with dry flies and nymphing.
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.
Conditions
The entire creek is fishing well but the water is getting warm. Invest in a stream thermometer and check temps. It takes literally 10 seconds. If the water is above 65 deg please take care while releasing fish and even better, try fishing earlier or later as water temperatures are safer for the fish.
The Hatch
Golden stones, caddis, pmd's, yellow sallies, green drakes
Fly Patterns
NYMPHS - Pat's Rubber Legs in black, brown, #6-#10; Pheasant Tail Nymph, #12-18; Pink San Juan Worm #8-10; Hot Bead San Juan Worm Red; Montana Prince tan #12-16, double bead stone black #4, yellow sally nymph #14-16, yellow frenchie #14-16
DRIES - Golden stone #6-10, Purple haze #10-16, micro chubby #14 yellow, yellow sally #14-16, pmd #14-16
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
888 cfs
Visibility
48"
Water temperature at mid-day
64 deg.
Water Condition
Good
Best time of day to fish
Early morning and late afternoon into the evening. Afternoons have been excellent, but as the water drops will be a little more difficult.
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.
