The Clark Fork is fishing well around Missoula as flows continue to drop and clarity improves. The river is now much more manageable than it was during runoff, and fish are spreading into classic summer water. Look for trout along grassy banks, inside bends, foam lines, soft seams, side channels, and slower shelves next to heavier current.

Golden Stones are the main focus right now, with Salmonflies fading in most places. PMDs, caddis, Yellow Sallies, and Green Drakes are also active and should create good dry-fly opportunities throughout the day. The dry-fly bite has been strong when fish are comfortable along the banks, but a dry-dropper is still the best search rig when covering bigger water.

Missoula weather looks mostly favorable, with warm, sunny conditions and highs in the 70s to low 80s. Keep an eye on afternoon wind, but overall the Clark Fork should continue to fish well if flows keep dropping and clarity holds.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Golden Stones #6-10
• Chubby Chernobyls #6-12
• Water Walkers #6-10
• 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

Nymphs

• Pat's Rubber Legs #6-8
• TJ Hooker #6-8
• Zirdles #6-10
• Frenchies #14-16
• Split Case PMDs #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
• Small sculpin patterns

The Clark Fork should continue improving as flows gradually drop and fish settle into more predictable summer water. Stoneflies will remain the headline attraction, while PMDs and caddis become increasingly important. Anglers targeting softer edges, side channels, and structure-oriented water should find consistent action, with some excellent dry fly opportunities developing whenever hatch activity peaks.