Montana Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing the Clark Fork
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The Clark ForkLodging on the Clark Fork
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The Clark
Fork : Fishing Information
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Brown trout populations continue to decline in this part of the Clark Fork, due to both warm water temperatures, low water in the summer and the thinning out of good habitat for brown trout (some stretches of this section may hold no trout at all due to lack of habitat). Both the Little Blackfoot River (in Garrison) and Flint Creek (in Drummond) empty into the Clark Fork, providing additional flows and much needed water later in the summer. The best fly fishing on this section of the Clark Fork will be found between Garrison and Deer Lodge, as fish populations continue to thin out the further downstream one travels.
With that said, this section of the Clark Fork is home to the largest brown trout in the river. Fly fishing with streamers and large nymphs are the most popular and effective methods of catching these fish. Streamers should be fished deep in the holes and around other obvious brown trout habitat. Popular streamer patterns include the Muddler Minnow and the Marabou Muddler.
Fishing with large nymphs is also effective on this section. Popular nymph patterns include the Prince Nymph, the Hare's Ear Nymph and Wolly Buggers, in sizes 4-10. The nymphs are best fished dead drifted, weighted down if necessary to get into the deeper holes.
Access on this stretch of the Clark Fork is fair. Other than a nice fishing access site at Kohrs Bend, access is limited to a handful of road crossings. Additionally, the Interstate generally closely follows the river in this section, creating a rather noisy environment.
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This section of the Clark Fork is home to few fish. Irrigation use of the Clark Fork on this section is quite heavy, and by late summer the water can warm up well into the upper 70's - a temperature not conducive to good trout fishing. The only real time to fish this section is during the fall when some large brown trout make spawning runs.
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And this is unfortunate since this is one of the prettiest sections on the Clark Fork. Just downstream from Drummond the Clark Fork begins to slice its way through the mountains, with many open fields along its side. While the fly fishing in this section may not be anything special, a float trip through this area is a beautiful one - especially in the fall when all the hardwood trees lining the rivers banks turn colors.
Access is also fairly good. While no designated fishing access sites exist, a county road parallels the Clark Fork on the north side of the river for much of its length. A small boat or canoe can easily be slid down the banks into the Clark Fork. A trip up to Garnet Ghost Town is also a worthy diversion, too.
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At the small town of Clinton the Rock Creek joins the Clark Fork, adding substantially to its flows. The cool water of Rock Creek also substantially lowers the rivers temperature. A few miles further downstream the Blackfoot River then empties into the Clark Fork, once again adding additional flows with cooler water temperatures. The result is that this section of the Clark Fork has excellent fly fishing for rainbow trout and brown trout, along with some cutthroat trout.
The Clark Fork in this section continues to slice its way through the mountains, with tall and forested mountains rising right up from the rivers edge. This section of the Clark Fork also has extensive forests right along the rivers edge. The river starts to become fairly sizable (in both width and depth) in this section and wading across the entire river is generally not possible except during the lowest of water. The Clark Fork has lots of riffles and runs in this section, too, providing a nice mix of water to fish in.
Fishing on this section of the Clark Fork begins in late May with the Salmonfly hatch. Depending on spring run-off and water conditions, this hatch can produce some wonderful fishing or be a bust due to cloudy water. If the water is clear, though, excellent fly fishing using Salmonfly imitations such as the Brooks Stone and Kaufmanns Stone, in sizes 2-6.
Beginning in the middle of June and lasting through July, depending on the state of spring run-off on the Clark Fork, a good Green Drake and Brown Drake hatch occurs. Popular and effective flies for this hatch include Green Drake Emerger and the Olive Sparkle Dun (sizes 12-16) for dry fly fishing and the Hare's Ear Nymph (size 12-16) for nymph fishing.
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Late June and July also provides an excellent time to use Stonefly imitations, such as the Montana Nymph and the Golden Stone Nymph (sizes 4-10).
By the time mid-July rolls around, this section of the Clark Fork becomes, surprise, a great hopper fishing water that lasts through September in most years. Standard hopper imitations in sizes 4-10 work well. If the current keeps attempting to suck your fly down, apply a liberal coat of floatant on the fly.
In the fall, similar to that found further upstream, streamers come into play and are equally effective catching both the large brown trout as well as the large rainbow trout that are found in the river. Throw the streamers into the holes and around other attractive habitat.
Access to this section of the Clark Fork is good. Several designated fishing access sites exist, and a few informal access areas are also found at various bridge crossings. For the more adventurous, an abandoned railroad bed closely follows the river in some stretches. If you don't mind the risk of trespassing (who owns this land anymore I have no idea!), a wade angler can reach areas of the Clark Fork few wade fishermen ever get too.
As the river travels through this section the Clark Fork runs into Milltown Dam. This dam, which may hopefully soon be removed as part of the cleanup process on the Clark Fork, needs to be portaged, although the tail water section of the dam provides for some interesting fishing possibilities. Also, below Milltown Dam downstream to Missoula, the Clark Fork is heavily used for recreational floating during the summer - especially on weekends. If you're looking for a float more in solitude, consider rafting further upstream or going further downstream.
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