Fishing Season: April-November

Middle Fork Flathead River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

51

Glacier Anglers's Tip of the Week

The Middle Fork is firing on all cylinders. It's fishing great, visibility is good-to-great, and we're set for an awesome week. 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 6/27/26

We're expecting rain for the next few days, so pack accordingly. There have been pre-front feeds before the recent storms, in which fish have been going crazy on dry flies. Later in the week, we are expecting warm temps, and the fishing should be great.

Techniques & Tips as of 6/27/26

A large, high-floating stonefly pattern on top will not only be a great strike indicator for a long (3ft) perdigon dropper, fish are starting to eat on top! The river level is still high enough to be a bit boily, 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:

late afternoon

Best Stretch:

West Glacier Golf Course

Best Access:

West Glacier Golf Course