Fishing Season: April-November

Middle Fork Flathead River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

55

Glacier Anglers's Tip of the Week

It's prime time, baby! The Middle Fork is fishing great, with excellent visibility. Be ready to throw a variety of flies. Mornings are slower for dry flies, so we're fishing perdigons under chubbies, then eliminating the dropper in the afternoon as more bugs start poppin'.

Directions open in app

Map of Middle Fork Flathead River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Glacier Anglers

5-Day Outlook as of 7/11/26

It's going to be HOT this week, temperature- and fishing-wise. Keep a water temp thermometer with you and remember that optimal fishing temps for fish health are between 55 and 65 degrees.

Techniques & Tips as of 7/11/26

Most dry flies are firing! The river level is still high enough to be a bit boily in spots, so mayfly patterns can be challenging to drift. But if you can find some soft eddies and seams, there are large mayflies coming off in the afternoons. And we are seeing stoneflies of all sizes, as well as caddis dropping eggs.

Local Species Available April-November

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

Glacier Anglers's Recommended Fly Patterns

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

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Adams purple 12-16
Larson's Legend Golden Stone Dry yellow 14-16
Larson's Legend Golden Stone Dry olive 10-16
Griffith's Gnat natural 12-14
Pale Morning Dun Thorax yellow 12-16
Elk Wing Caddis blue/red 12-16

Adams

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Item #0330

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Glacier Anglers's Recommended Gear

Description: About Middle Fork Flathead River

The Middle Fork of the Flathead River originates in the heart of the Great Bear Wilderness in one of the most remote and pristine areas in the lower 48. Once the river reaches Hwy 2, just west of Marias Pass, if flows westward, following the highway and making up the majority of the southern boarder of Glacier National Park until its confluence with the North Fork near Blankenship Bridge. The Middle Fork is a true Jewel, with excellent West Slope Cutthroat fishing along its entire length.

Nearest Airport:

Glacier International - Kalispel (FCA)

Hatches:

Black adult stonefly BH FB pheasant tail nymph adult midge dry golden stone adult green drake yellow sally

Best Time to Fish:

mid morning

Best Stretch:

Essex to Paola

Best Access:

Essex