Copyright 2009 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Clarke Fork River,
Montana
This 327 mile long river starts in the Highlands (Silver
Bow) Mountains near Anaconda. Silver Bow and Warm
Springs creeks form the river. Most of the river is
bordered by Interstate 90. Its headwaters are bordered
by the Garnet Mountain Range and the Flint Creek
Mountain Range, and flows through the Deer Lodge
Valley. The river is small until it picks up the water from
the Blackfoot River.
Mining has taken its toll on the river and for its first many
miles, the river has few trees and little vegetation along
its banks. This helps control muddy runoff from
surrounding land. During the past several years, there
has been a tremendous improvement in the quality of
the water and the fishing. Many areas of the river has
good populations of trout.
Downstream of the Little Blackfoot River confluence, the
river flows through a narrow canyon bordered mostly by
Interstate 90 and a railroad. Below that section, the river
has some streamside cover of trees and bushes. There
is another 25 mile long canyon section called the
Bearmouth Canyon. From the canyon exit, the river
slows down for a ways, picks up water from the Blackfoot
River and flows into Milltown Reservoir. The river flows
through the town of Missoula where fishing is good,
especially from a drift boat. On the west side of
Missoula, it picks up more water from the Bitterroot River
and becomes a big river. Fishing continues to be good
down to the next reservoir. Below the Flathead River
confluence, the water mostly supports only brown trout
and the fishing becomes less productive.
Seasons:
Fly fishing the Clarke Fork River is good from March
through November.
Spring:
Springtime is the best time to fish the river except when
runoff from its many tributary streams affects the clarity.
Summer:
The water can get warm in some areas but it is cooled
by many of the streams that flow into it.
Fall:
This is a good season and the best time for the brown
trout.
Winter:
Although it is possible to catch fish during the winter in
some areas, it isn't usually very productive. .
Fly Fishing Guide to the Clarke Fork River
The Clarke Fork River is one of the most diverse
streams in the state of Montana. Where you fish it
dictates how you fish it. (Click Here To Continue)
Montana
This 327 mile long river starts in the Highlands (Silver
Bow) Mountains near Anaconda. Silver Bow and Warm
Springs creeks form the river. Most of the river is
bordered by Interstate 90. Its headwaters are bordered
by the Garnet Mountain Range and the Flint Creek
Mountain Range, and flows through the Deer Lodge
Valley. The river is small until it picks up the water from
the Blackfoot River.
Mining has taken its toll on the river and for its first many
miles, the river has few trees and little vegetation along
its banks. This helps control muddy runoff from
surrounding land. During the past several years, there
has been a tremendous improvement in the quality of
the water and the fishing. Many areas of the river has
good populations of trout.
Downstream of the Little Blackfoot River confluence, the
river flows through a narrow canyon bordered mostly by
Interstate 90 and a railroad. Below that section, the river
has some streamside cover of trees and bushes. There
is another 25 mile long canyon section called the
Bearmouth Canyon. From the canyon exit, the river
slows down for a ways, picks up water from the Blackfoot
River and flows into Milltown Reservoir. The river flows
through the town of Missoula where fishing is good,
especially from a drift boat. On the west side of
Missoula, it picks up more water from the Bitterroot River
and becomes a big river. Fishing continues to be good
down to the next reservoir. Below the Flathead River
confluence, the water mostly supports only brown trout
and the fishing becomes less productive.
Seasons:
Fly fishing the Clarke Fork River is good from March
through November.
Spring:
Springtime is the best time to fish the river except when
runoff from its many tributary streams affects the clarity.
Summer:
The water can get warm in some areas but it is cooled
by many of the streams that flow into it.
Fall:
This is a good season and the best time for the brown
trout.
Winter:
Although it is possible to catch fish during the winter in
some areas, it isn't usually very productive. .
Fly Fishing Guide to the Clarke Fork River
The Clarke Fork River is one of the most diverse
streams in the state of Montana. Where you fish it
dictates how you fish it. (Click Here To Continue)
| Type of Stream Freestone/Tailwater Species Brown Trout Rainbow Trout Cutthroat Trout Bull Trout (Few) (Wild Trout) Size Large Location Southwestern Montana Nearest Towns Missoula Season 3rd Sat. May - Nov 30th (Open year-round some areas) Special Regulations Clarke Fork Special Regulations Access: Fair Non-Resident License State of Montana Weather National Weather Service Link Hatch Chart Perfect Fly Hatch Chart Fly Fishing Guide Hatches and Flies Fly Fishing Gear Stream Flow Data: Real Time USGS Data (Deer Lodge) Real Time USGS Data (Bonner) Real Time USGS Data (below Missoula) |
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Clarke Fork River,
Montana
Montana
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| Options For Selecting Flies: 1. Email us with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response. 2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need. 3. Call or email us with a budget for flies and we will select them and get them to you in time for your trip. Shipping is free in the U. S. Orders over $50 are shipped Priority Mail. |