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
September 9, 2026
CURRENT REPORT
Fishing continues to get better on the Clark Fork as it cools off in Missoula. Nocturnal stones catching fish first thing. Tricos rocking and rolling between 8am and noon most days. Caddis and PMDs still hanging around, with the terrestrial bite taking hold midday. Starting to see more and more mahoganies and BWOs (psuedos) by the day!
The dry-fly enthusiasts have really enjoyed the condititions for the ast week or so. Cooler nighttime temps have delayed the trico action to about midday. Trico spinners and clusters in sizes #18-22 are the ticket for picky risers keyed in on these small mayflies. Some of our favorites are the Tuckers Twiggy, Hi-Vis Spinner, Hanging Midge, and Clusters. Long leaders and 5-6x tippet is required for this style of fishing.
Also beginning to hatch more consistently are our mahoganies and psuedos (with a few hecubas in the mix, too.) One fly does not fit all for this these hatches! At least have some Purple Hazes in different sizes to give yourself a chance...
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 first thing. 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 morning and evening.
Often overlooked this time of year, the streamer fishing has been stellar on the CF. The Yellow Yummy, Rusty Trombone, Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex and Lil Kim have performed well.
Looking Forward
Cooler temperatures on the forecast have us looking forward to excellent fishing on the Clark Fork! October caddis and our fall mayfly hatches will be here in full-force sooner than later!
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.
