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

Flint Creek - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

47

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

If you're heading out, be ready for both: BWO dries for the slow water and a small streamer for fish that want to chase. The fish are still holding tight to undercut banks, overhanging grass, weed beds and deep pools, so put your fly as close to those banks as you can. Most of Flint Creek is private, so please ask permission before you fish.

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Map of Flint Creek

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Blackfoot River Outfitters

5-Day Outlook as of 10/16/26

Weather in P-Burg this weekend looks to have highs in the 60s on Saturday and the 50s on Sunday with a mix of sunshine and clouds. The rest of the week looks to be similar with temps in the 50s and a mix of sunshine and clouds. Overnight temps dropping town into 30s so starting the day a little later in the morning is a good idea.

Techniques & Tips as of 10/16/26

Fish slow and deep while it's cold. Run a Frenchie, Jigged Pheasant Tail, or Hare's Ear through the deeper pools and along the undercut banks. On cloudy afternoons, watch for fish rising to BWOs in the slow water and switch to a small BWO dry. Streamers have been fishing well, so drift or strip a Sparkle Minnow or small single-hook streamer tight to the banks to move the bigger browns. Hopper season is just about done after this cold snap.

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

  • Fish Icon

    Brown Trout

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    Mountain Whitefish

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    Cutthroat Trout

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Griffith’s Gnat N/A #16-18
Elk Wing Caddis N/A #12-16
Vernille San Juan Worm N/A #8-12
Lightning Bug N/A #14-16
TJ Hooker tan 10-12
Perdigon black, red 14-16
Sparkle Minnow yellow and brown 12
Kreelex copper and brown 6

Griffith’s Gnat

This dry fly imitates a midge or a cluster of midges.

2.49

Item #0922

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Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Gear

Description: About Flint Creek

Flint Creek winds down out the Pintler Mountains, back and forth across the hay fields near Philipsburg. The meanders are so tight at times you could virtually fish two sides of a button hook at the same time. The miles of undercut grassy banks are home to wild brown trout that eagerly eat hoppers all summer long. Most of Flint Creek is private so please respect that and ask first before entering someone's ranch.

Nearest Airport:

Missoula International Airport (MSO)

Hatches:

BWO, October Caddis

Best Time to Fish:

Morning and the Evening

Best Stretch:

Just north of Philipsburg but ask before you fish - very little public access so please secure permission from landowners.

Best Access:

Just north of Philipsburg but ask before you fish - very little public access so please secure permission from landowners.