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

The Clark Fork above Missoula is around 1,410 cfs, down from the last report’s 1,480 cfs reading but still in much better shape than the low late-summer flows. The river is settling after the rain bump, and turbidity has remained low enough that anglers should still have good visibility and fishable conditions. This is a good early-fall level, but the Clark Fork will still reward patience more than speed.

The weekend weather helped this river. Cooler temperatures, valley rain, and high-country moisture all helped improve water temperatures and gave the river a more comfortable fall feel. Mild days and cooler nights should keep fish more willing to feed through the morning and into cloudy parts of the afternoon.

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 is a river where watching first can pay off. If fish are feeding on top, match the lane and pace of the rise. If not, nymphing small mayflies, caddis pupa, and jig patterns under a terrestrial or indicator should stay productive.

The hatch transition is obvious now. Terrestrials are still a good option, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks, islands, and soft edges. BWOs are the next major hatch to watch when clouds, drizzle, or cool afternoons line up. Anglers are already seeing October Caddis, and Mahogany Duns and Hecubas should become more important in the weeks ahead.

Streamer fishing deserves a serious look as we move into fall. Cooler water and cloud cover can make better fish more aggressive. 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