Summer Returns

After a serious deluge from a massive rain event, summer is on the Horizon . Our rivers all came up quite a bit, but are all back on the drop and clearing rapidly. It’s been an interesting few days but a much needed rainfall across the state. Thankfully we were able to pivot most of our trips and find some decent fishing through the event.

The Clark Fork remained fish-able through the storm and is now on the drop. Golden stones, green drakes, caddis, and PMDs are the bugs. Foam attractors with a deep dropper will catch fish. Tung jig PTs – princes – haresears – or variations of all that will work. Tung SJWs, and PRLs are also a good bet. 12K CFS is a good mark for fishy conditions and its there now. It will continue to drop and clear so it’s all good.

The Flathead got huge and went of shape. It’s dropping fast and should be pretty close to acceptable fishing flows tomorrow, maybe the next day… Its got enough viz now to probably give it go. Same bugs as mentioned above. Hopefully the recent surge in flows will bring out some pmds and get some fish up in the afternoons.  Should be pretty good fishing out there once she settles. Look for rising fish in the afternoons even at these bigger flows. The warm weather should get the bugs out and the fish looking up.

With these higher flows you’ll want to find softer water on inside bends, side channels, back eddies, etc and try to avoid the heavy outside banks and pushy hydraulic type water. The warmer weather in the forecast should promote some rising fish in the late mornings and early afternoons, even in these higher flows – keep a look out.