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 29, 2026
CURRENT REPORT
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Clark Fork River - from the Clark Fork’s origin at the confluence of Warm Springs Creek and Silver Bow Creek to the confluence of the Flathead River starting July 29.
A fishing closure is in effect for a 100-yard radius around the Mouth of Fish Creek, Rattlesnake Creek, and St. Regis River - at the Clark Fork River confluences starting July 29.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for Silver Bow Creek from the confluence with Blacktail Creek to the mouth of Warm Springs Creek starting July 29.
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. Through town and downstream, lots of good fishing. Mostly in the morning. The afternoon and evening is heating up. 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 morning. Caddis dries and PMD spinners will fool these picky fish in sizes #16-20.
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
Fishing early will be the ticket on the Clark Fork for the foreseeable future.
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.
