The Clark Fork : Fishing Information

Clark Fork : Deer Lodge to Drummond

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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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