Clark Fork River Fishing Report
Our Clark Fork River fishing report comes to you straight from our boats on the river. We are on the Clark Fork River fly fishing daily during the season and know what’s happening. For the most successful tips, techniques, and fly selections, check back often for our up-to-date Clark Fork River fishing report.
QUALITY RATING
Full details below
July 19, 2026
CURRENT REPORT
Lots of water in the Clark Fork right now... and we're grateful for it! Fishing on the Clark Fork has been hit or miss. Clarity on the upper river slightly off following stormy nights this week.
Goldenstones, nocturnal stones, PMDs, yellow sallies and lots of caddis still hatching in the right conditions. Hoppers and ants coming into the picture more as we approach the end of July (where has summer gone??)
While the upper Clark Fork is starting to get low and weedy, the Clark Fork through and west of town has been stellar. Get out early. Not only is the water getting warm in the afternoon, but it's a zoo with tubers and rec-floaters, too.
Most anglers fishing with dry-dropper rigs on the Clark Fork. Focus on the stone or hopper uptop for this rig. We love the high-floating, easy-to-see patterns like the Chubby Chernobyl, Water Walker, Sweetgrass Hopper, Henneberry and Juicy Hopper. Think sizes #08-12. Tan, yellow and purple have worked well.
Subsurface, first focus on stonefly nymphs like Pat's RLs, Explosion Stones, Twenty Inchers, TJ Hookers and Zirdles. Blowtorches, Shuck Its, Frenchies, Jig PTs and Prince nymphs all producing, too, especially as the day goes on. Start your dropper deep in the 3-5' range and adjust as the bugs start to move around. Focus on the eddies, riffles and buckets to find fish keyed in on nymphs. Keep your eyes peeled for fish rising to little dries in the afternoon and evening.
Often overlooked this time of year, the streamer fishing has been stellar on the CF. Yellow, white and olive have been the tickets. The Yellow Yummy, Rusty Trombone, Kreelex and Lil Kim have performed well.
Looking Forward
Likely going to see some fishing restrictions due to warm temps on the Clark Fork in the near future. Keep in mind that even if there are no restrictions in place, it still may be too hot to fish in the evening.
FEATURED FLIES
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Clark Fork RIVER Flows & Conditions
Know before you go! Understand current Blackfoot River flows and conditions before hitting the water.
Clark Fork River Flows @ Gold Creek, MT
Clark Fork River Flows @ Drummond, MT
Clark Fork River Flows @ Above Missoula, MT
Clark Fork River Flows @ BELOW Missoula, MT
Clark Fork River Flows @ Superior, MT
Clark Fork River Flows @ Plains, MT
Clark Fork Valley WEATHER
See the Clark Fork River fishing reports weather forecast for the next 7-days. For more information on the forecast or detailed weather data, please visit NOAA Weather Data - Missoula, Montana.
