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

The Clark Fork above Missoula is around 1,480 cfs, down slightly from the last report but still in much better shape than the lowest late-summer flows. The weekend rain and cooler weather helped freshen the system, and the river has a more comfortable early-fall feel. It is still technical in slow, flat water, but the combination of better temperatures and moderate flows should help fish feed more consistently.

Look for trout on riffle edges, foam lines, soft banks, inside bends, current tongues, tailouts, side-channel seams, and deeper green lanes. The Clark Fork rewards patience this time of year. Watch the water before casting. If fish are up, match the feeding lane and drift carefully. If they are not showing, small nymphs under a terrestrial or indicator will usually be more reliable.

The hatch menu is changing. Terrestrials are still a strong option, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks, islands, and soft edges. BWOs are the next big hatch to watch, especially when cloud cover, drizzle, or cooler afternoons line up. Anglers are already seeing October Caddis, and Mahogany Duns and Hecubas should become more important over the coming weeks.

The cooler weather that moved through over the weekend should help the Clark Fork by improving water temperatures and giving fish more comfortable feeding conditions. Missoula is forecast for mild days in the upper 60s to mid-70s, with a drenching thunderstorm possible Thursday afternoon and showers possible Saturday.

Streamer fishing deserves a place in the rotation now. As fall approaches, clouds, rain, and a little color can get better fish interested in movement. Try small to medium sculpins, Sparkle Minnows, Thin Mints, Kreelexes, and compact articulated patterns along banks, shelves, and soft inside seams.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Hoppers #8-12
• Ants #12-18
• Beetles #12-16
• Chubby Chernobyls #8-14
• Water Walkers #8-12
• BWO Dries #18-22
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18
• X-Caddis #14-18
• Corn Fed Caddis #12-18
• October Caddis Adults #8-12
• Mahogany Duns #14-16
• Hecubas #10-12
• Parachute Adams #14-20

Nymphs

• Frenchies #14-18
• Pheasant Tails #14-20
• Perdigons #14-20
• BWO Nymphs #18-22
• Prince Nymphs #12-16
• Caddis Pupa #12-18
• October Caddis Pupa #8-12
• 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