Bigfork Montana Fly Fishing Report

Andy with a dandy.

General Outlook – The rivers are all on the drop. Cooler weather over the next several days will continue the trend unless we see significant rain. Conditions are setting up for a great June. The fish above was taken recently on the upper Blackfoot somewhere, not tell’n where but it ate a dry fly. It was one of three fish landed that day…two feet+. This is the time of year they show themselves.

Blackfoot River Report: Really close to greatness but still not quite there. It looks great and the bugs are there, but the dry fly bite hasn’t kicked off completely yet. Any minute. Don’t blink, you might miss it.
Bugs / Fly Patterns: Golden stones, salmon flies, yellow sallies, caddis, pmds, green drakes… / Willies, fuzzies, chubbies, rogues, foam whatever, larger streamers in all colors, stonefly nymphs, SJW, larger princes,

Lower Clark Fork River Report: We haven’t been down since spring but it’s gotta be getting close. I would bet a few more days on the drop and it’s good to go. Clouds are on the way too so…..
Bugs / Fly Patterns:  Willies, fuzzies, chubbies, rogues, J-Slams, foam whatevers, Urchin buggers, Pats Rubbers, Double Beads, SJW, Tung 20 inchers, larger princes / attractor nymphs,

Flathead River Report: Still big but on a steep drop. If it’s greenish you can catch some fish.  I spent all weekend swimming around in the Middle fork and it looked less than desirable for fishing purposes. It’s still BIG and pushy and there is limited water to fish. You could probably worm out a few on the upper end.
Bugs / Fly Patterns:  Willies, fuzzies, chubbies, rogues, J-Slams, foam whatevers, Urchin buggers, Pats Rubbers, Double Beads, SJW, Tung 20 inchers, larger princes / attractor nymphs.

Swan River Report:  The upper is still big and off color. Lots of new wood too of course. It’s been coming in and out with the weather changes and might continue that trend for the next week or so. Cooler weather could bring it back in the next few days. The lower is still fishing pretty well. There are some fish willing to eat the dry fly in the afternoons too. Not great but a decent local option. The Bay is still producing fish….as long as you get it before the night crawler gang.
Bugs / Fly Patterns: PMDs, caddis, golden stones, salmon flies, brown drakes, Willies, fuzzies, chubbies, rogues, J-Slams, rubber legs, prince nymphs, SJWs, 20 inchers, double bead stones, Hare on Fire nymphs, Urchin buggers, articulated streamers in black & olive, Flash Minnows