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

Flint Creek - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

55

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

Flint Creek is in great shape right now! Trout have moved out of their high-water spots and are now stacked in classic summer feeding zones. Focus your efforts on walking-pace pools and deep pocket water. Make sure you pin your drifts right against the banks since those fish are tucked tightly up underneath the overhanging undercut banks to ambush food drifting past.

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Map of Flint Creek

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Blackfoot River Outfitters

5-Day Outlook as of 6/19/26

Philipsburg will have a mix of sunshine and clouds for the weekend. Temps in the high 60s for the weekend. Going into next week looks like lots of sunshine with highs in the low 70s.

Techniques & Tips as of 6/19/26

This clear water is an absolute playground for streamers and dry-dropper rigs. Strip a Kreelex, Mini Dungeon, or Sparkle Minnow tight against the banks to draw out aggressive resident fish. For a classic subsurface approach, run a Chubby Chernobyl on top and trail a weighted Hare's Ear, Prince Nymph, or a pink-beaded Frenchie underneath. Caddis flies may be hatching in the evenings so be on the lookout for those!

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

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    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
Midge N/A #18-20
Elk Wing Caddis N/A #12-16
Bead Head Prince N/A #12-14
TJ Hooker tan 10-12
Perdigon black, red 14-16
Vernille San Juan Worm N/A #8-12
Lightning Bug N/A #14-16
Sparkle Minnow yellow and brown 12
Kreelex copper and brown 6

Griffith's Gnat

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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:

Caddis

Best Time to Fish:

The warmest hours of the day

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.