Big C with a “proper” trout from the Blackfoot caught on a hopper a couple days ago.

General Outlook: Even though it has been hot you can feel summer starting to fade.  The sun is starting to tilt a little more in the afternoons,  shadows are getting longer earlier, and the longer nights are breaking out the fleece in the early am. We are going to see some 70’s over the next week. We are looking at 80’s and 90’s for a couple more days but the cool nights are keeping it nice for most of the day. If you want to throw some hoppers in your flip flops you better do it now.

Blackfoot River Report: The Blackfoot is still providing decent fishing through out the day. The Early morning first boat through is still going to benefit you but fish are looking up even in the afternoon. A small realistic hopper and a little patience might find you a big one. Hopper dropper rigs are still working with the standard chubby rubby/worm / prince combos. Water temps are peaking in the mid 60s so they are of no concern. The forecast is calling for several nights in the mid 40s this week so we  could start to see a few fall caddis and maybe a hecuba or 2 before you know it.
Bugs / Fly Patterns: Hecubas soon, terrestrials / Small Chubbies and willies, Fuzzie wuzzies, Hot leg hoppers, White Clouds, Pink Morrish Hoppers, Rainy’s ants,  Hippie stompers, Franks, Rogue goldens, Smaller foam variations, Para haze, Turds, Halo Prince, Da Worm

Lower Clark Fork River Report: The recent cool down we had has the afternoons much more tolerable.  Good hopper fishing yesterday down low with steady action from 14-18″ fish. We caught plenty of fish and never had anything less than 14″. Fish are eating attractors and hopper patterns first light so early is good. With air temps in the 90’s it’s nice to be done by 2:30 or 3, but  fish are looking for hoppers all afternoon. I temped the water at 3pm yesterday and it was in the mid 60’s so water temps are a non issue. Cooler weather with some clouds is in the extended forecast so this river should only get better over the next few weeks.
Bugs / Fly Patterns: hecubas soon, tricos, terrestrials / peach white clouds, pink morish, Small Chubbies and willies, Fuzzies, Hippie stompers, Franks, Rogue goldens, Smaller foam variations, Para haze, Quigs, Para caddis, C-duns, Turds, Halo Prince, Da worm

Flathead River Report: Still not fishing great but we are getting enough action to make a day of it. Being one of the first boats down is helpful… They have seen traffic over the last few weeks. Last light is a good time to find some nicer fish on foam attractor stuff. Small cripples, little flying ants, and small parachutes are good trailers off your bigger bug. Droppers will help get a few extra fish and thay make those 8 inchers fight really hard when you fowl them in the ass.
Bugs / Fly Patterns: terrestrials, pmds / Small Chubbies and willies, Fuzzie wuzzies, Hot leg hoppers, White Clouds, Pink Morrish Hoppers, Rainy’s ants,  Hippie stompers, Franks, Rogue goldens, Smaller foam variations, Para haze, Quigs, Para caddis, rusty spinners C-duns, Turds, Halo Prince, Da Worm

Swan River Report:  The upper river is hit and miss on the dry. There are a few bigger fish willing to eat the dry but you have to stick with it. If you are desperate you can nymph but don’t let your buddies catch you…kinda embarrassing this time of year.  The lower is fishing well with the hopper dropper rigs. We haven’t had a good water temp report but it’s probably really warm late in the day. Early morning would be best. A foamie with a SJW or turd off the back should be all you need.
Bugs / Fly Patterns: Hoppers, Spruce moths,  golden stones, pmds, sallies, caddis / Small Chubbies and willies, Fuzzie wuzzies, Hot leg hoppers, White Clouds, Pink Morrish Hoppers, Rainy’s ants,  Hippie stompers, Franks, Rogue goldens, Smaller foam variations, Para haze, Quigs, Para caddis, C-duns, Turds, Halo Prince, Da Worm

Find more about Weather in Bigfork, MT

Mon

Mostly Sunny89°

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Tue

40% Chance of Storms87°

40% Chance of Storms

Wed

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Thu

Partly Cloudy81°

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Sat

Partly Cloudy77°

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Jason Lanier
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