I love the Clark Fork. Fish eat dry flies there. Especially in the afternoon during a caddish hatch or a spinner fall. Wink Wink

The Clark Fork is in much better shape as flows continue to drop and clarity improves through Missoula. There is still plenty of water moving, but the river is becoming more manageable and fish are spreading into more typical early-summer holding water. With flows now well below the heavier runoff levels, fishing should continue to improve as the river settles.

Stoneflies are still a major part of the program. Salmonflies and Golden Stones remain in the mix, while PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and caddis are creating more consistent opportunities as the day goes on. Trout are starting to look up more regularly, especially along grassy banks, inside bends, soft seams, foam lines, and side-channel water.

Dry-dropper rigs are a great way to cover water right now. A larger stonefly dry with a smaller nymph underneath will fish well along banks, buckets, and slower edges. Nymphing will still be the most consistent option when the sun is high, the wind is up, or fish are not fully committing to the surface. Streamers are also worth fishing early, late, or through shaded banks and deeper buckets.

The weather looks mostly favorable, with warmer temperatures helping bug activity build. Wind could make casting tougher at times, and a few showers or thunderstorms may move through midweek, but those cloudy windows could also help the dry-fly bite. If flows continue to drop and clarity stays good, the Clark Fork should keep fishing well. Stoneflies will remain important, but PMDs, caddis, Yellow Sallies, and Green Drakes should provide more dry-fly opportunities as summer conditions settle in.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Salmonflies #4-6
• Golden Stones #6-8
• Water Walkers
• Chubby Chernobyls
• PMDs #16-18
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-16

Nymphs

• Pat's Rubber Legs
• TJ Hooker
• Frenchies
• Psycho May
• Perdigons
• Jigged Hare's Ears

Streamers

• Sparkle Minnows
• Swim Coach
• Mini Dungeons
• Peanut Envy
• Olive and black articulated 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.