Summer

Yesterday was the official first day of summer. Mid 70’s and low 80’s have made for some spectacular weather on the river the last few days. Nothing but happy fish and happy fisher-peeps. River flows are well below average at about half the normal flow for the 3rd week in June.  Low flows have made the June fishing options wide open with great hatches of pmds, caddis, stones, drakes, and sallies. The fishing has been great with the dry fly and should continue to be in the near future until we get some prolonged heat.  Mild temps and moisture in the  forecast should keep us all in happy mode for a while.

The Flathead River has been fishing really well with dry flies. You could throw a cigarette butt with rubber legs out there right now and catch fish as long as you get the drift… That will change over the next week or so as the fishing pressure continues to educate the fish to the big dumb foam flies. Smaller attractors, pmd cripples, mid sized parachutes, and small stimis will be a good substitute when the foamie starts getting snubbed.

Blackfoot is still getting mixed reports. The canyon is getting mobbed with boats sooo….If the foam is getting rejected try a mid sized haze or royal wulff and stick with it, you’ll catch some fish. You can also try cycling through some mid sized beadhead attractor patterns like the halo prince, tunguestones, tung epoxy stones, micro tungue worms, or the good old prince. Or just stick with the dry.

Clark Fork is still fishing well. Clouds and moisture in the forecast….yes please! Put a small golden stone with a mid sized cripple off the back and role. If you want to pick on risers put a smaller cripple on.