!! UPPER CLARK FORK FROM CONFLUENCE OF SILVERBOW TO MOUTH OF FLINT CREEK NOW ON HOOT OWL !!

!! NO FISHING FROM 2PM TO MIDNIGHT IN THAT SECTION !!

!! Weigh Station to Sha-Ron float is closed until October 31st !!

The Clark Fork above Missoula is around 1,830 cfs, down from the last report and now in a low, technical summer range. The river is still fishable, but warmer water and bright conditions are making timing very important. Mornings, shaded banks, riffle water, and evening caddis windows will be the best bets when water temperatures allow. All uper sections until mouth of Rock Creek are fairly socked in with weeds.

The Upper Clark Fork, from the confluence of Silver Bow Creek and Warm Springs Creek to the mouth of Flint Creek, is under hoot owl restrictions. That section is closed to fishing from 2:00 PM to midnight. Around Missoula, anglers should still watch water temperatures closely and avoid stressing trout during the hottest part of the day.

The prolific late-spring and early-summer hatches are done, and the Clark Fork has moved into mid-to-late summer bugs. Terrestrials are becoming more important along grassy banks, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles. Late-stage PMD spinners, Tricos, caddis, Yellow Sallies, and the very end of the drakes are the main bugs to watch now.

PMD spinner dry-fly action can be good early in the morning on slicks, flats, foam lines, and slow tailouts. Look carefully for soft rise forms before walking through shallow bank water. Tricos may also bring fish up in slower lanes as the morning develops. During the bright middle of the day, nymphing with small mayfly nymphs, caddis pupa, Perdigons, and Frenchies will be more consistent.

Evening caddis fishing can still be one of the better dry-fly windows when the sun starts to set. Focus on riffle edges, foam lines, banks, and soft current tongues with low-riding caddis patterns. Weather around Missoula is hot, smoky, and mostly dry, with isolated thunderstorm chances. Fish early and late, and be careful with water temperatures.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Hoppers #8-12
• Ants #12-16
• Beetles #12-16
• Chubby Chernobyls #8-14
• Water Walkers #8-12
• PMD Spinners #14-18
• Tricos #18-22
• Yellow Sallies #14-16
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18
• X-Caddis #14-18
• Corn Fed Caddis #12-14
• Purple Haze #14-18
• Parachute Adams #14-18

Nymphs

• Frenchies #14-18
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Psycho May #14-18
• Perdigons #14-18
• Pheasant Tails #14-18
• Prince Nymphs #12-16
• Caddis Pupa #12-16
• Jigged Hare's Ears #14-16
• Pat's Rubber Legs #8-10
• Zirdles #8-10

Streamers

• Sparkle Minnows
• Mini Dungeons
• Peanut Envy
• Sculpzilla
• Thin Mint
• Woolly Buggers
• Kreelex
• Barely Legal
• Small sculpin patterns