How was everyones weekend on the Clark? Good? I believe it! What awesome fishing weather! A refreshing change from last weekends rain, doom, and despair. And holy moly are there flies out and about right now! I mean just about everything that can hatch is coming off. Even though the Clark is still pushing a little bit of mud through town and running a little high, it is fishing well! Hip Hip!

The Clark Fork is finally starting to look a lot better after the recent high-water stretch. Flows have dropped hard from last week, and the river is becoming much more fishable through and above Missoula. There is still plenty of water moving, and anglers should stay smart around the banks, but the trend is definitely positive. Dropping flows, improving clarity, and water temperatures in the low 50s are all good signs for the days ahead.

The best fishing right now is still going to be in the softer water. Focus on inside bends, slow bank seams, foam lines, back eddies, side channels, and any walking-speed current where trout can feed without sitting in the heavy push. With the river still carrying good volume, fish do not need to be far from the bank. Work the close water carefully before stepping in, because a lot of fish will be tucked along the edges.

Nymphing remains the most consistent way to find fish, especially when the sun is bright or the river has a little color. Stonefly nymphs, rubber-leg patterns, worms, jig-style attractors, caddis pupa, PMD nymphs, Green Drake nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, and Perdigons are all good choices right now. Use enough weight to get down, but keep your drifts in softer lanes where fish can actually move to eat.

Dry-dropper fishing is becoming a much better option as the Clark Fork continues to drop and settle. A larger foam stonefly, Chubby, Water Walker, or attractor dry with a nymph underneath is a good way to cover banks, soft seams, and side-channel water. Full dry-fly fishing is still going to depend on the section, clarity, and cloud cover, but the window is opening. If you find calm edge water or fish rising in slower seams, take your time and make the first cast count.

Bug activity is picking up with the improved river conditions. Salmonflies and Golden Stones are still in the mix, and Yellow Sallies, Green Drakes, PMDs, and caddis are becoming more important. Caddis activity should be best toward evening, while PMDs and Drakes can be more noticeable during cloudy or softer-light periods. Bright sun may slow the surface bite in the middle of the day, but clouds or light showers could bring fish into the softer seams to feed.

Streamers are also worth keeping in the rotation, especially early, late, or anywhere the water still has some color. Olive, black, brown, white, and lightly flashy patterns can all move fish along the banks and through slower buckets. Focus on flooded structure, undercut banks, soft drop-offs, and current breaks where trout can ambush without fighting the main current.

The next few days look mixed but encouraging. Warmer weather today gives way to thundershowers Tuesday and cooler, showery weather Wednesday, followed by a better stretch Thursday and Friday. If the Clark Fork continues to drop and clarity keeps improving, fishing should keep getting better. Stay careful while wading, keep an eye on the gauges, and focus on soft water, edges, and active bug windows as the river settles.

Top Patterns:

Pat’s Rubber Legs (#6-8)
TJ Hooker Stone (#6-8)
Zirdles (#6-10)
San Juan Worms (#10-12)
Wire Worms
Prince Nymphs (#12-16)
Pheasant Tails (#12-16)
Frenchies (#14-16)
Perdigons (#14-18)
Caddis Pupa (#12-16)

Dry Flies:

Chubbies — yellow, purple, royal, black, and tan (#6-14)
Water Walkers (#6-10)
Golden Stone dries (#6-10)
Salmonfly dries (#4-8)
PMDs (#12-16)
Green Drakes (#10-12)
Purple Haze (#12-16)
Parachute Adams (#12-16)
Corn Fed Caddis (#12)
Elk Hair Caddis (#12-16)
X-Caddis (#12-16)
Yellow Sallies (#12-16)

Streamers:

Mini Dungeon
Sparkle Minnow
Peanut Envy
Thin Mint
Sculpzilla
Woolly Bugger
Kreelex
Barely Legal
Double Gonga