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

The Clark Fork above Missoula is around 1,139 cfs, down from the last report’s 1,236 cfs reading. That keeps the river in a low, technical late-summer range, but the cooler weather pattern should help. Missoula is forecast to stay mostly cloudy and cooler through the next several days, with showers possible and highs mostly in the 60s to low 70s. That should improve fish comfort, especially compared with the hotter weather we had earlier in August.

The best fishing will be early in the day, during cloud cover, near shaded banks, and anywhere trout have access to oxygenated riffles or cooler water. Focus on riffle edges, foam lines, deeper green seams, soft banks, tailouts, inside bends, side channels, and current tongues that collect food. Lower flows make the river easier to read, but fish will still be sensitive to wading pressure, boat traffic, and sloppy drifts.

The prolific late spring and early summer hatches have ended, and the Clark Fork has shifted into its mid-to-late summer mix. Terrestrials are still a major part of the program, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks, islands, side channels, and soft edges. Late-stage PMD spinners and Tricos can bring fish up in the morning on slicks, flats, foam lines, and slow tailouts. Caddis fishing remains a strong late-day option when the sun starts to set, especially around riffle edges and soft current tongues.

During brighter conditions, nymphing with small mayfly nymphs, caddis pupa, Perdigons, and Frenchies will usually be more consistent. With the cooler weather and cloud cover coming, streamers may also become a better option than they have been lately, especially early, late, or during rain showers.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Hoppers #8-12
• Ants #12-18
• Beetles #12-16
• Chubby Chernobyls #8-14
• Water Walkers #8-12
• PMD Spinners #14-18
• Tricos #18-22
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18
• X-Caddis #14-18
• Corn Fed Caddis #12-18
• Purple Haze #14-20
• Parachute Adams #14-20
• Small attractors #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