Bigfork Montana Fly Fishing – August Lingers

Lower Clark Hopper Double

General Outlook – We had some great fishing in the clouds and rain for a few days last week but now it’s back to the dog days of summer. Well above average temps and LOW flows are limiting our options right now. It looks like we are going to see more consistent night time temps in the 40’s so the afternoon fishing and fall hatches should start to improve. We hope….

Flathead River Report: Hit and miss. We had a mud slide up the upper Middle Fork that colored the river up for the last few days. It still fished but it was pretty crappy yesterday. Day before was great though. Still some afternoon dry fly fishing happening out there with terrestrial patterns and we are starting to see a few hecubas (fall drakes) and October caddis. We usually start to see some bigger fish falling back down the system this time of year so you might bump into a proper trout out there. We’ve been rolling the big dry dropper rig in the morning and switching to smaller parachutes, beetles, hoppers, and ants in the afternoons.
Bugs / Fly Patterns:  terrestrials, Hecubas, Oct Caddis / Ants, beetles, Mayfly cripples, parachute mayflies, october caddis, Willies, fuzzies, chubbies, rogues, J-Slams, foam whatevers, Urchin buggers, Pats Rubbers, Double Beads, SJW, Tung 20 inchers, princes / c-johns  / attractor nymphs.

Swan River Report:  Pretty lousy over all. REALLY low and ultra spooky fish makes for near impossible conditions. A good angler who sticks with it has a chance at a big one but if it doesn’t happen then the day is basically a bust. Wade fishing the upper sections will provide action from twinks. Not much water up there for floating but also less pressure from boaters.
Bugs / Fly Patterns: terrestrials, Hecubas, Oct Caddis/Willies, fuzzies, chubbies, stimis, J-Slams, rubber legs, prince nymphs, SJWs, rubber legs, small double bead stones

Blackfoot River Report:
Check for updates on the Blackfoot River Closure at the FWP Restrictions and Closures page.

Lower Clark Fork River Report: We had a couple good days down there the past week in the rain and clouds. The last couple days were not so good. The river picked up some color and a couple hundre CFS with the recent rain. Hopper dropper rigs are all you really need. If you getting more attention on the hopper then clip the dropper, lengthen the leader, and put a more realistic hopper on. Hecubas and October caddis should start to get some attention. Night time temps in the 40’s should improve the bug activity and afternoon fishing.
Bugs / Fly Patterns:  terrestrials, Hecubas, Oct Caddis / Hecuba cripples, October caddis, hoppers, Willies, fuzzies, chubbies, rogues, J-Slams, foam whatevers, Pats Rubbers, Double Beads, SJW, , p-tails,  princes & attractor nymphs,