The Clark Fork River, Montana’s largest river by volume, stretches over 280 miles from the confluence of Silver Bow Creek and Warm Springs Creek to the Idaho border. It offers a diverse range of fly fishing opportunities, from its small, meandering upper reaches to the wide, slow-moving sections near Missoula and the powerful lower river. This variety of water types creates excellent habitat for wild rainbow and brown trout, as well as native Westslope cutthroat trout. Missoula Guided Fly Fishing spends a good chunk of the season this river.

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Dry fly fishing on the Clark Fork kicks off in early April with the highly anticipated Skwala stonefly hatch, one of the first major hatches of the year. This hatch, along with prolific Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) and March Brown emergences, draws eager trout to the surface. As runoff subsides and summer arrives, Golden Stones and PMDs provide steady action through July, followed by outstanding hopper fishing in August and September. The Clark Fork’s grassy banks and deep riffles make it an ideal river for throwing big terrestrials, often producing aggressive eats from trophy-sized trout.

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Late summer and early fall bring the technical yet rewarding Trico mayfly hatch, peaking in late August and continuing into October. This hatch challenges anglers to make precise casts and delicate presentations, as trout sip tiny dries in slow, clear water. As fall progresses, some of the best dry fly fishing of the year unfolds, with abundant BWO and Mahogany Dun hatches keeping trout actively feeding.

Beyond its world-class dry fly fishing, the Clark Fork is also an excellent streamer river, particularly in the spring and fall when brown trout become more aggressive. Stripping streamers through deep runs and undercut banks can produce some of the largest fish of the season.

 

With outstanding dry fly and streamer fishing opportunities throughout much of the year, the Clark Fork remains one of Missoula Guided Fly Fishing's favorite rivers to guide on—offering both challenge and reward for anglers of all skill levels. Whether you're looking to finesse rising trout with small dries or entice big browns with streamers, the Clark Fork delivers an unforgettable Montana fly fishing experience.