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

The Clark Fork above Missoula is sitting around 1,280 cfs, down from 1,360 cfs in the last report. The latest verified water temperature was about 66.7°F late Tuesday night, so expect warmer temperatures during the heat of the day. The river is low, clear, and technical, but still fishable if anglers focus on the right windows.

None of this river is currently on hoot owl restrictions, but water temperatures still deserve attention. The best fishing on the Clark Fork will be early, late, during cloud cover, and anywhere fish have access to oxygenated riffles or cooler water. Focus on riffle edges, foam lines, deeper green seams, soft banks, tailouts, inside bends, and current tongues that collect food.

The prolific late spring and early summer hatches have ended, and the Clark Fork has shifted into a mid-to-late summer mix. Terrestrials are now a major part of the program, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks and soft edges. Late-stage PMD spinners, Tricos, and caddis are the key hatch activity now.

PMD spinner action can be good early in the morning in slicks, flats, foam lines, and slow tailouts. Tricos may 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. Focus on riffle edges, foam lines, banks, and soft current tongues with low-riding caddis patterns. Missoula weather gets hot by Thursday and Friday, with highs in the 90s, so prioritize cooler parts of the day.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Hoppers #8-12
• Ants #12-18
• Beetles #12-16
• Chubby Chernobyls #8-14
• Water Walkers #8-12
• PMD Spinners #14-18
• Tricos #18-22
• 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