!! CLARK FORK FROM CONFLUENCE OF SILVERBOW TO CONFLUENCE OF BLACKFOOT RIVER ON HOOT OWL !!

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

The Clark Fork above Missoula is dropping into a low, technical late-summer range. The latest gauge reading is around 1,360 cfs, down from the last report, with a morning water temperature around 60 degrees. That cooler morning temperature is helpful, but the river is still low and clear, so the best fishing will come early, late, in shaded water, or during cloud cover.

The upper Clark Fork, from the confluence of Silver Bow Creek and Warm Springs Creek to the confluence of the Blackfoot River, is under hoot owl restrictions. That means no fishing from 2:00 PM to midnight in that section. Around Missoula, anglers should still watch water temperatures closely and avoid stressing trout during hot afternoon conditions.

With lower flows, fish are holding in more predictable water. Focus on riffle edges, foam lines, deeper green seams, soft banks, tailouts, inside bends, and current tongues that offer both food and oxygen. Dry-dropper rigs are still a good way to search, but the better dry-fly fishing will come when fish are visibly up and feeding.

The prolific late spring and early summer hatches have ended, and the Clark Fork has moved into a mid-to-late summer hatch mix. 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 action can be good early in the morning in slicks, flats, slow tailouts, and foam lines. Tricos may also bring fish up in slower lanes as the morning develops. During brighter conditions, nymphing with small mayfly nymphs, caddis pupa, Perdigons, and Frenchies will usually be more consistent. Evening caddis fishing can still be one of the better dry-fly windows when the sun starts to set and water temperatures are safe. Weather around Missoula includes spotty thundershower chances early, then hotter, sunny weather later in the week.

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 #12-18
• Purple Haze #14-20
• Parachute Adams #14-20

Nymphs

• Frenchies #14-18
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Psycho May #14-18
• Perdigons #14-20
• Pheasant Tails #14-20
• Prince Nymphs #12-16
• Caddis Pupa #12-18
• 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