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

The Clark Fork above Missoula is sitting around 1,511 to 1,525 cfs, down from the last report’s 1,650 cfs reading but still in a solid early-fall range. The river has dropped and cleared from the weekend weather, which means fish should be approachable in the right water but still selective in slow, flat lanes. The best places to look are riffle edges, foam lines, current tongues, soft banks, tailouts, inside bends, side-channel seams, and deeper green runs.

The cooler, damp weather over the weekend helped the Clark Fork by refreshing the system and keeping water temperatures comfortable. Missoula warms back into the mid-70s and low 80s through Friday, then cools down Saturday and Sunday with highs near 60. That weekend cool-down should help the river fish more like fall again and may improve BWO and streamer conditions.

The hatch menu is shifting. Terrestrials are still very much in play, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks, islands, and soft edges. BWOs are the hatch to watch during cloudy, drizzly, or cooler periods. Anglers are already seeing October Caddis, and Mahogany Duns and Hecubas should become increasingly important over the next few weeks. When fish are rising, take time to match the lane and the pace of the rise before casting.

Dry-dropper rigs are a good way to cover water when no fish are showing, especially with a terrestrial or orange October Caddis-style dry on top and a small mayfly or caddis nymph below. During brighter parts of the day, nymphing will likely be more consistent. During clouds or soft light, be ready for dries or streamers.

Streamer fishing is worth a serious look as we move deeper into September. Cooler water, clouds, and any added color can get better fish interested in movement. Try small to medium sculpins, Sparkle Minnows, Thin Mints, Kreelexes, and compact articulated patterns along banks, shelves, 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
• Corn Fed Caddis #12-18
• October Caddis Adults #8-12
• Mahogany Duns #14-16
• Hecubas #10-12
• 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