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

The Clark Fork above Missoula responded well to the rain and cooler weather that moved through over Labor Day weekend. Reports showed the river jumping from about 1,240 cfs before the storm to roughly 1,830 cfs afterward. The most recent flow had it around 1,690 cfs and receding. That is still a helpful bump compared with the low late-August flows and should give fish more comfort and cover.

The Clark Fork is still technical in slower water, but it should fish better under this cooler, more fall-like pattern. Look for trout on riffle edges, foam lines, soft banks, inside bends, tailouts, current tongues, side-channel seams, and deeper green lanes. The river can reward patient dry-fly anglers right now, but it pays to observe before casting. If fish are rising, fish single dries carefully. If not, nymphing small mayflies, caddis pupa, and jig patterns will usually be more consistent.

The hatch program is changing. Terrestrials are still very much in play, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks, islands, and soft edges. However, the fall bugs are starting to matter. BWOs are the main hatch to watch during cool, cloudy, or rainy windows. October Caddis, Mahogany Duns, and Hecubas should also become increasingly important over the next few weeks, especially as daytime highs stay cooler and September progresses.

Missoula’s forecast is favorable for fishing. Highs stay mostly in the 60s this weekend, with clouds Saturday and rain likely Sunday. That cooler weather should help water temperatures and may open up more productive midday fishing than we had during the hot late-summer stretch.

Streamer fishing is worth adding back into the rotation. As we transition into fall, clouds, rain, and a touch of color can get better fish moving. Focus small to medium streamers along banks, shelves, drop-offs, and soft inside seams.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Hoppers #8-12
• Ants #12-18
• Beetles #12-16
• Chubby Chernobyls #8-14
• Water Walkers #8-12
• BWO Dries #18-22
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18
• X-Caddis #14-18
• October Caddis Adults #8-12
• Mahogany Duns #14-16
• Hecubas #10-12
• Purple Haze #14-20
• Parachute Adams #14-20

Nymphs

• Frenchies #14-18
• Pheasant Tails #14-20
• Perdigons #14-20
• BWO Nymphs #18-22
• Prince Nymphs #12-16
• Caddis Pupa #12-18
• October Caddis Pupa #8-12
• Jigged Hare’s Ears #14-18
• Small jig nymphs #16-20

Streamers

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