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

The Clark Fork above Missoula is sitting around 1,140 cfs, down from 1,280 cfs in the last report. The latest morning water temperature was about 61 degrees, but 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 these rivers are 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. Lower flows make the river easier to read, but they also make fish more sensitive to wading pressure and sloppy drifts.

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, islands, 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 has a warm midweek forecast, but the cooler weekend should help the Clark Fork, especially with Sunday’s high forecast in the upper 70s.