Living Water Guides

Living Water Guides | Montana

Home » Montana Rivers We Guide » Clark Fork River
Missouri river caddis hatch - brown trout

Fly Fishing the Clark Fork

The Clark Fork River is a tributary of the Columbia River and runs for over 300 miles through western Montana. It is home to a variety of fish species, including rainbow trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout, and mountain whitefish. The river is surrounded by beauty, with the Cabinet Mountains to the north and the Bitterroot Range to the south.

Floating the Clark fork River

We highly recommend floating this river. A raft or drift boat offers access to parts of the river that are otherwise difficult to reach when wading. The Clark Fork River has some challenging sections, and a raft is best used to navigate them, giving anglers access to some of the best fishing spots on the river, allowing them to target hard to reach areas with precision. Whether you’re fishing with dry flies, nymphs, or streamers, the Clark Fork River is a fly fisherman’s paradise.

river-guide-lattig-2

Hatches on the Clark Fork

  1. Skwala Stoneflies: This is the first big hatch of the season on the Clark Fork, usually occurring in late March or early April. These stoneflies are big and easy to spot, making them a favorite among fly fishermen.
  2. Salmon flies: These large stoneflies are a favorite among fly fishermen. These big flies. are known to create some of the most exciting fishing we see. The hatch typically occurs in late June or early July and can last for several weeks.
  3. Blue-Winged Olives: This hatch occurs throughout the season, but is particularly abundant in the fall. These small, delicate mayflies are a favorite food source for trout on this river system.
  4. Pale Morning Duns: An important hatch on the Clark Fork, occurring from June to early July. These mayflies are larger than the Blue-Winged Olives and create a lot of surface activity, making for some exciting fishing.
  5. Salmon flies: A favorite among dry fly fishermen and are known to create some of the most exciting fishing . The hatch typically occurs in late June or early July and can last for several weeks.

Fly fishing the Clark Fork is an experience that every angler should have at least once in their lifetime. When you’re planning your fly fishing trip to Montana, be sure to add the Clark Fork River to your itinerary.