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

!! NO FISHING FROM 2PM TO MIDNIGHT IN THAT SECTION !!

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

The Clark Fork above Missoula is around 1,830 cfs, down from the last report and sitting in a low, technical summer range. The river is still fishable, but warmer water, bright conditions, and lower flows are making timing more important. Early mornings, shaded banks, riffle water, and evening caddis windows will be the best bets where water temperatures allow.

The upper Clark Fork, from the confluence of Silver Bow Creek and Warm Springs Creek to the confluence of the Flathead 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 the hottest part of the day.

The prolific late spring and early summer hatches are finished, and the Clark Fork has moved into mid-to-late summer bugs. 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 on slicks, flats, foam lines, and slow tailouts. Tricos may also bring fish up in slower lanes as the morning develops. During the bright middle of the day, 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.

Weather around Missoula is hot, smoky, and mostly dry, with highs in the 90s and increased wind and fire danger heading into the weekend. Fish early and late, and keep an eye on afternoon water temps.

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

Nymphs

• Frenchies #14-18
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Psycho May #14-18
• Perdigons #14-18
• Pheasant Tails #14-18
• Prince Nymphs #12-16
• Caddis Pupa #12-16
• Jigged Hare's Ears #14-16
• Pat's Rubber Legs #8-10
• Zirdles #8-10

Streamers

• Sparkle Minnows
• Mini Dungeons
• Peanut Envy
• Sculpzilla
• Thin Mint
• Woolly Buggers
• Kreelex
• Barely Legal
• Small sculpin patterns