The Upper Clark Fork River has its headwaters at the confluence of the Silver Bow and Warm Springs Creeks, near the town of Anaconda. For the most part, the Clark Fork River parallels Interstate 90, providing anglers with ample access sites. The river flows through a variety of terrain; from semi arid plains to towering mountains, eventually flowing through Missoula, MT.
Best Fly: Hopper (foam) tan
Water Conditions: Clear-ish
Weather Conditions: A bit windy, 75 degrees
Floated or Waded: floated
Section of Water Fished: Upper Clark Fork, take out at Rock Creek confluence.
Fished the upper Clark Fork with Joe Cummins guide James. The conditions couldn’t be better. We did really well, despite my missed takes, and upstream hook sets. I think maybe 20-30 fish to hand. Biggest disappointment was the brown that “got away!” I am a Seattleite and I can’t wait to get back to Montana and do some more catching.
Best Fly: Silver & Black Articulated Streamers
Water Conditions: 280 cfs
Weather Conditions: Hot
Floated or Waded: floated
Section of Water Fished: Above Missoula
My buddies and I threw streamers in the morning and hoppers in the afternoon and caddis in the evening. Gotta love Montana, the fishing was red hot. To top off the day we had ice cold beer and a burger at the Iron Horse. Wow.
Best Fly: zug bug, serindipity, hare's ear, st john's filth worm
Water Conditions: clear
Weather Conditions: cloudy with sprinkles
Floated or Waded: waded
Section of Water Fished: upper clark fork between Deer Lodge and Warm Springs
Caught some big fish, 23″ bow, 22″ brown, and several 18-20′s. Fishing was tough in the morning but greatly improved as some clouds and rain moved in. Heavy midge, baetis, march brown hatches, as well as a few random stone flies that were about 1.5″ long.
Best Fly: streamers
Water Conditions: murky
Weather Conditions: cloudy with some rain
Floated or Waded: waded
Section of Water Fished: West of Anaconda right off I-90
Not the best day, the river was a little blown out making it hard to catch the big fish so didn’t win the “sexy volvo” today
Best Fly: Hoppers
Water Conditions: Great
Weather Conditions: Nice
Floated or Waded: float
Section of Water Fished: Up there
Hoppers!