Fishing Season: Year round; some tributaries closed December 1-third week of May. Check regulations before fishing.

Clark Fork River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

66

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

When you’re fishing a dry dropper rig, make sure you’re getting your dropper down far enough! Oftentimes the reason you’re not catching fish could be because the nymph isn’t where it needs to be. If your dropper is too short, the nymph will drift too high in the water column and it won’t present like the naturals in the river. Shorter droppers also tend to present in a more linear and unnatural drift. When you lengthen up your dropper to about 1.5x the depth of the water, you will find your nymph gets down better and also has a bit more slack to get tossed around which presents more similarly to the naturals you’re trying to imitate. As you move to different areas of the river, make sure you continue to adjust to the changing depth.

Directions open in app

Map of Clark Fork River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Blue Damsel Lodge
Linehan Outfitting Company
Blackfoot River Outfitters
Bitterroot Fly Company

5-Day Outlook as of 6/20/25

The week ahead starts off cool and unsettled, with clouds, light rain, and highs in the low 60s°F through Sunday. These mild showers aren’t expected to significantly impact flows or clarity, which should remain relatively stable. The cloud cover will actually create ideal conditions for consistent hatches and strong dry fly fishing, especially for mayflies. As the weather warms and brightens midweek- peaking in the low 80s by Tuesday and Wednesday- expect dry fly action to taper off during midday hours, shifting productivity more toward mornings and evenings. Overall, it’s a great week to be on the water, especially early on when overcast skies bring fish to the surface. *Known Clark Fork Hazards: Beavertail-Clinton: 2 logs down in the left channel just above Clinton. You can sneak through now, but it is tight. Clinton-Turah: A few VERY sketchy spots through this section. Do not attempt unless you are very experienced.

Techniques & Tips as of 6/20/25

The dry fly fishing is steadily improving on the Clark Fork. Look for fish to start rising in the early afternoon and make the most of the bug window. Streamer, dry-dropper, and nymph rigs can all get you into fish when they are reluctant to eat on top.

Local Species Available Year round; some tributaries closed December 1-third week of May. Check regulations before fishing.

  • Fish Icon

    Rainbows

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    cutthroats

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    cutbows

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    browns and white fish

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Hairwing Western Green Drake N/A #10-12
Yellow Sally N/A #14-16
Larson's Legend Golden Stone Dry N/A #8-10
Bead Head Caddis Pupa N/A #12-14
Plan B N/A #8-12
Rubberlegs N/A #8-12
Tunghead Pheasant Tail N/A #12-14
TH 20 Incher N/A #8-12
Spanish Bullet N/A #12-14
Duracell N/A #12-14

Hairwing Western Green Drake

Rough water demands this high-floating Green Drake mayfly pattern.

2.49

Item #02TF

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Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Gear

Description: About Clark Fork River

This major fork of the Columbia River, named after Captain William Clark of the Corps of Discovery, is the mother of all our local rivers. In proving her maternal resolve, the Clark Fork today flows clean and vibrant despite the decades of mining abuses imposed upon her by a less than conservation-minded state. Often described locally as two distinct rivers, the Clark Fork provides decidedly different characteristics on its upper and lower reaches. In the snaking meanders upstream of Missoula, butter-bellied browns explode on baitfish darting from deadfall snags and hoppers haplessly bumping along grassy undercuts. Following her confluence of the Blackfoot and Bitterroot, the Clark Fork through and below town widens and slows. (A dam was recently removed from this location and the river should continue to get better for years to come!) This is the ultimate for anglers hunting line-ripping rainbows and cutthroats on light tippets. Here, the biggest fish sip little duns and chase swimming nymphs around over knee-deep gravel bars. No matter your passion – #20 trico spinners delicately placed in rise ring lanes, dangling a needle-thin phez tail under a big bushy hoppers, or chuck'n and duck'n streamers – the Clark Fork offers a season and section for you.

Nearest Airport:

Missoula

Hatches:

Golden Stones, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Green Drakes.

Best Time to Fish:

All day

Best Stretch:

The entire river is in play. Be wary of Beavertail-Kelly and the Alberton Gorge if floating.

Best Access:

Multiple access points all along the river