Bigfork Montana Fly Fishing – River Report

Andy “Guyd” Guy with his long time customer John Baker and a stud bow.

General Outlook – While much of the state is suffering with low warmish water and crack of dawn meet times, we are still enjoying bankers hours and consistent dry fly fishing with cool water through-out the day on the Flathead system. Mid 80’s and sunshine in the forecast, looks perfect for flip flops and attractor patterns here in the Flathead Valley.

Flathead River Report: The Flathead is fishing good right now. Just got a fresh report several minutes ago from one of our guides and the dry fly action was great today. Water levels and temp are perfect and the fish are spread out in all types of water. It has been hard to bust the 15″ mark but it’s still fun dry fly fishing.
Bugs / Fly Patterns:  Caddis, PMDs, yellow sallies, terrestrails / Ants, beetles, Mayfly cripples, parachute mayflies, para caddis, elk hares, 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:  It’s been tough to get nice fish to eat the dry fly…a few a day, maybe. Nymphs/droppers and streamers are still getting some good fish but not many and who wants to look at a bobber in July? Last light is your best bet for big eats on the dry fly. Quite a few twinks nipping at the dry with an occasional decent fish.
Bugs / Fly Patterns: A few small goldens, caddis, ants, pmds/Willies, fuzzies, chubbies, rogues, stimis, J-Slams, rubber legs, prince nymphs, SJWs, rubber legs, 20 inchers, small double bead stones

Blackfoot River Report: Good dry fly fishing at first light for a few hours and then deadsville when the sun hits the water. Deep tungbead droppers in the trenches might dig you a few out in the heat of the day.  Hope some spruce moths pop soon…
Bugs / Fly Patterns: yellow sallies, ants, caddis, pmds, ants hoppers/ Mayfly cripples big and small, P-chute Haze, Para caddis, J-slams, Willies, fuzzies, chubbies, rogues, foam whatevers, Streamers in the early am, stonefly nymphs, SJW, tunghead attractor nymphs in the 12-16 range, psycho princes, halo princes, c-johns

Lower Clark Fork River Report: Good at first light for a few hours and then a ghost town once the sun is up. Cloudy days will provide better fishing through out the day as always. Mid sized foam stuff works and an ant or something small of the back is a good idea.
Bugs / Fly Patterns:  Caddis, PMDs, ants, hoppers / Para caddis, Mayfly cripples big and small, Willies, fuzzies, chubbies, rogues, J-Slams, foam whatevers, Urchin buggers, Pats Rubbers, Double Beads, SJW, Tung 20 inchers, p-tails,  princes / attractor nymphs,