Cold Water | Flathead River

Bigfork, Kalispell, Whitefish Montana Fishing Guides

We have cold water here in the Flathead Valley. The Flathead River is topping out in the low 60’s at 6pm and starting the day in the upper 50s – great temps for trout fishing. That being said, its still 90+ degrees in the afternoon so you want to limit the grip and grin photo shoots and keep’m wet. Also, it’s not super comfy sitting in a drift boat in the afternoon heat (unless you’re swimming). We are recommending morning half days until we get some more normal summer-time temps( mid 80’s). Dry fly fishing has been productive for those who can get a decent drift. The pile cast 5 ft from the oar is still getting some attention but not all that much.  Plenty of little cutties looking at the dry with a few better fish in the mix when the fly is stroking the sweet spot. Small attractor dries with a little parachute/cripple mayfly off the back is a good combo. Terrestrials are making their way onto the menu. Small hoppers, beetles, yellow jackets, horse flies, and ants will become more relevant in the coming weeks as this Africa heat burns off the aquatic insect activity. Bring some lite beers, your trunks and enjoy the bronze. It’ll be cold and shitty before you know it so stop your bitch’n and soak it up!