The Clark Fork above Missoula is dropping and sitting around 2,760 cfs. That is down from the last report and puts the river in a very fishable to low summer range. Water temperatures are warming, so focus on early, late, and shaded-water opportunities. The river still has enough volume to keep trout comfortable, but fish are settling into more defined summer holding water.

Look for trout along grassy banks, inside bends, foam lines, side channels, drop-offs, riffle edges, and soft seams near heavier current. Dry-dropper rigs remain one of the best search setups on the Clark Fork. A Golden Stone, Chubby, or Water Walker with a PMD nymph, caddis pupa, Frenchie, or Perdigon underneath will cover a lot of productive water. Nymphing will be the best bet during bright midday conditions.

Golden Stones, PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and caddis are the key bugs. PMD spinner dry-fly action can be good in the morning, especially in slower slicks, flats, foam lines, and tailouts where fish can feed steadily. Watch carefully for soft rise forms before walking through shallow edge water.

Caddis fishing in the evening should be a major part of the program. As the sun starts to set, look for fish moving into riffle edges, banks, foam lines, and soft current tongues. Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis, and smaller attractors should all be in play.

Weather around Missoula is warm with some instability. A brief shower is possible today, Tuesday looks cooler with a thundershower chance, Wednesday is partly sunny, and Thursday and Friday bring more afternoon storm potential. Fish earlier as the week warms, and watch wind and water temps during the afternoon.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Golden Stones #6-10
• Chubby Chernobyls #6-12
• Water Walkers #6-10
• PMD Spinners #14-18
• PMDs #14-18
• Green Drakes #10-12
• Yellow Sallies #14-16
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
• X-Caddis #14-16
• Corn Fed Caddis #12-14
• Purple Haze #14-18
• Parachute Adams #14-18

Nymphs

• Pat's Rubber Legs #6-8
• TJ Hooker #6-8
• Zirdles #6-10
• Frenchies #14-16
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Psycho May #14-18
• Caddis Pupa #12-16
• Perdigons #14-18
• Pheasant Tails #14-18
• Prince Nymphs #12-16

Streamers

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