!! 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 is in a low, technical summer pattern. The most recent Clark Fork above Missoula showed around 1,240 cfs, which fits the current trend across the Missoula-area rivers: lower flows, clearer water, and warmer temperatures. Fish are still available, but the best windows are early morning, shade, riffle water, and the cooler edges of the day. forecasted rain and cooler temps will lengthen the morning and evening bite window.

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

The prolific late spring and early summer hatches are done, 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 nocturnal stones 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 bright midday conditions, nymphing with small mayfly nymphs, caddis pupa, Perdigons, and Frenchies will usually be more consistent.

Weather around Missoula is dropping comapred to earlier this month. Rainy and cloudy days are expected along with some warmer days reaching the mid to high eighties.

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 #14-18
• Parachute Adams #14-20
• Spruce Moths #12-16

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