Category: Clark Fork River Report

River is in great shape now with a two foot visibility . We are back on top with Stones and BWOs in the afternoon. A good stretch of weather ahead of us now with a little rain Friday. Steve

We experienced a huge hail and heavy rain Sunday evening. The river has jumped up and quite off color (brown) as a result. usually clears in three or so days so I will update as it happens. We should remain fishable for another five weeks or so after things clear.

Two boats out yesterday in fine weather found the fish on Skwalas. The sun has to get on the river banks about 1pm then game on. Danner reports two of the biggest fish of the season so far . The big Bows like to put on a show by jumping which we only seem to see in spring before runoff. Still lots of time to get out before then. We do have a few days of rain but back to clearer weather for the weekend.

I really meant the previous report to be March !

Fished Dry to Regis in fine weather with plenty of sun and 50 degree day. Fount plenty of Blue Wing Olives emerging under the foam lines. Be sure to pay attention to the eddy waters and fish the drys . A few stone flys but mostly on the sunny side in later afternoon. Spent most of our time nymphing a pats and a mix of bottom nymphs. Turned maybe a dozen.

Ramps are a covered with a bit of ice but wading is fine to mid day trout. The griffis nat is the call if you can fine rising fish. Search them out at the confluences of the creeks and even ramps at Cascade and Ferry Landing. Dress Warm !

Hoot Owl is over for the year. River temps have dropped way down so now we can fish and guide till dark. The fish are on top taking that purple haze or adams mayflies. Lead it with a dark chubby or dark stone and you will be rewarded. Now we can finally sleep in and start at a civil 8am.

The Rains and cooler weather have the river temps dropping well below hoot owl limits so I expect Monday the FWP will lift them for the rest of the season . The river is actually running about four degrees lower than last year at 68 degrees peak. That is good news going into September fishing. The hatches have also returned with a small variety of may flies. We found a few groups taking PMDs mid day yesterday. THere is a closure below Ferry Landing due to fire fighting at the Paradise Fire but with the rains that should be short lived as well . Most guides are fishing hopper dropper till they find a hatch the changing rods. Have fun in the cooler weather.

The River Temps have finally dropped back (in spite of hoot owl) to slightly below historical highs. Cool nights are really making a difference and the bite is early. We also finally have a week of cloud cover coming which is needed. Guides are finding most fish by a hopper dropper three feet down or nymphing even lower mid day. But be very careful of rocks during summer low water as I have already slid into a few surprises.

The river is feeling the results of the heat waves effecting mush of the West. Best times to get started are 6am or even earlier. You should expect them to really shut down at 10am and return feeding at 1 or later. We are fishing hoppers with a perdigon down about three feet. We do have a break coming tuesday in temps and cloud cover which is needed.