One of the best flyfishing streams but it’s a long, dusty 50-mile drive on bumpy gravel roads to Spotted Bear. It has brookies and rainbows in the upper end shifting to rainbows and browns in the lower end with some cutthroat and bull trout throughout. Day two of the wilderness expedition is generally a somewhat shorter ride ending with afternoon wade fishing on the South Fork of the Flathead. This is one of the premier wilderness fly fishing destinations in the lower 48. It is paralleled by gravel roads most of the 50 miles to Highway 200 near Thompson Falls and has easy access for all but the upper 7 miles of private property and a few brushy sections. Read more: Visit NC’s guide to the North Carolina stretch of the Dan River Wade and float access is abundant and you can hike a ways to escape pressure found at the access sites. Trout fishing is catch-and-release and pike must be over 24 inches to keep. The Thompson has a salmonfly hatch that starts about mid May on the lower end. Float tube or carry on boat needed. 3. Smith Lake – 8 miles west of Kalispell on Hwy. Our float fishing day begins around 9:00 a.m. after a hearty breakfast. On some trips, fishing may be available this first evening. The trail drops 400’ off the road, then a gentle climb to the lake. Red Meadow Lake – Drive about 5-1/2 miles past Polebridge (stop for a pastry) on the North Fork Road. The Flathead River System offers hundreds of miles of pristine waterways, while Flathead Lake is a scenic and recreational mecca. We fish the middle, north and mainstem of the system. Lupine Lake – A 2.5 mile hike off the Griffin Creek Road out of Marion. Foy Lake – highly overlooked. Northwest Montana is grizzly bear country so be aware and carry pepper spray where appropriate. Rob Paxevanos for the Narooma News Online reports Jason got the surprise of his life when what he thought was a shovel nose shark appeared under lights in the form of a giant flathead. A float tube is required for most fishing. Beadhead nymphs work well, sometimes dry flies in the evening. Because they are easy to catch and numbers are declining in some areas, limits are low to zero and catch and release is encouraged. Since 1977 Montana River Outfitters prides itself in offering only the finest river trips available. After picking up licenses and last minute items that afternoon, we check into our lodging for the night and transfer gear to the horsepacker. This gin-clear river runs through the Bob Marshall Wilderness for nearly its full length, south to north. Wade fishing the Middle Fork, while possible, is limited by fast water and deep pools between … Filed under eagle, flathead river, fly fishing Montana, Jack Mauer, pike, Roy Loman, small mouth bass, Trout, Wade fishing… Flathead River Shuttle – 406-890-2600. Trout fishing is catch-and-release and pike must be over 24 inches to keep. Dinner is served at about 6:00 p.m. after which there is plenty of time to wade fish or relax around camp and enjoy an exhilarating wilderness evening. In fact, looking at the maps, where all the roads end, trails follow the Flathead for miles and miles. These mid to late summer expeditions are best experienced when this high country river flows low and clear, and trout willingly rise to attractor patterns. In northwest Montana, we’re surrounded by incredible lake and fly-fishing opportunities. Native westslope cutthroat are the jewels of the area. Wade Opportunities Abound The Flathead is famous for float opportunities but wade … The South Fork of the Flathead – Bob Marshall Wilderness trip generally begins in Great Falls, the day before the start day. We have other wilderness and backcountry trips too, so call soon to reserve your dates on these pristine and permit only wilderness waters. Northwest Montana has many lakes that provide great flyfishing. The South Fork of the Flathead, located in the heart of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, is a horsepack in/float out trip of 5-7 days, putting you over feisty Cutthroats to 22″ and “Bull Trout” to 15 pounds. A float tube or small boat is helpful. This is a medium sized wading stream. The North Fork offers spectacular views of Glacier Park. Dry flies can work but nymphs will produce more often. Adjacent to the James River are several stocked trout streams in some of the Blue Ridge Mountain’s most scenic settings. × Announcement: Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the state of Montana has declared that mask or face covering use is required for ages five and older. We fish the middle, north and mainstem of the system. Montana Fly Fishing The Flathead River is unique among the rivers in Montana in that it is really three rivers in one, with two main sections that are good for fishing. Will my rod guides freeze? An excellent map of the entire Flathead River system is available at the Forest Service station in Hungry Horse. Felt soles on wading boots give adequate traction but are not allowed in some areas due to the potential to carry Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS). Wooly buggers, beadhead nymphs, maybe dry flys. The cutthroat move around a lot and you’ll find them in pods. On our last day, the float trip ends in the early afternoon at the beginning of Meadow Creek Gorge. River’s Edge Park Pond – in Columbia Falls, turn off Highway 2 East onto 3rd Ave. East, follow past Perfect Cuts Meats and turn on to 5th St. East. The trout are all wild, no hatchery grown fish here! For the spin fisherman, small spoons (hopefully with the barbs … Horses and mules … In late summer hopper and ant patterns can be very effective. Native westslope cutthroats and Glacier National Park in the background. Jeremy Wade is known for his expertise with a rod and reel, but here he explains how he caught a dog-sized flathead catfish in the rivers of Oklahoma using nothing but his hands. A section from the dam to Devil’s Elbow is closed. Lake gets very warm in summer, fish can be muddy tasting. Bull Trout up to 15 pounds are there too! Each section offers unique options for float and wade fishing … Filed under eagle, flathead river, fly fishing Montana, Jack Mauer, pike, Roy Loman, small mouth bass, Trout, Wade fishing, wapiti waters. Identified by an orange colored slash under their jaw, they hit flies readily. However, as the water recedes throughout the summer, the high elevation snow melt diminishes, and this large and broad … Animal Planet's “River Monsters” is a weekly cable show featuring British biologist and extreme angler Jeremy Wade. We can have it ready for you to purchase or rent when you arrive. Beaver Lakes Complex – drive about 7 miles north of Whitefish on Highway 93. The rest of the river has plenty of access and casting lanes are quite open if you’re willing to wade in the water a little ways. On some trips, fishing may be available this first evening. Montana Fishing Guides holds all the information you need to ensure success on your next Flathead River fly fishing experience. A paved path leads to the pond. Drive 1 mile, turn right on Rose Crossing. Pond is heavily stocked with rainbows and cutthroat. Most of the fishing is float fishing. Float fishing gets you to good water but some sections have high-rated whitewater so get a 3 Forks of the Flathead float map. Beginning in the Canadian Rockies north of Glacier National Park, the Flathead flows south through northwestern Montana … There are numerous stretches of the Clark where wade fishing is the preferred, if not the only, way to tackle the river. There’s a parking lot across from the Lone Pine State Park road. Sylvia Lake –  Off the Griffin Creek Road, accessible by Forest Rd. The Flathead River is a large free flowing river that is generally fished from a boat. The first and second night of the trip, guests are free to walk and wade fish on their own as the guide team sets up camp. Have good forceps or needle nose pliers to remove hooks. Can be good for westslope/Yellowstone cutthroat crosses, some large 16”-20” fish. Flathead fishing is neither hard nor expensive, and although these catfish have intricate habits, their most basic need is eating - which they do all summer long. On day three guests will spend the entire day walk and wade fishing the upper reaches of the river with a guide. The following sites offer shore fishing: The Thompson starts 50 miles west of Kalispell on Highway 2. It is probably the best fishing of the year. A diversity of fish and wildlife complement the land and water resources, and contribute to both the natural and cultural values of the Flathead … Planted with westslope cutthroat trout, best before late June when water warms. Our Walk and wade trips are the same price as our float trips in the same drainage whether it is a river, lake or a small mountain stream. I couldn’t resist posting these two photos on their own. We will need to get all your gear except what you will be taking on horseback to the packer by mid afternoon the day before the trip. There are numerous stretches of the Clark where wade fishing is the preferred, if not the only, way to tackle the river. Our waters have less productivity so fish size and numbers may be smaller than other parts of Montana but the outstanding scenery more than makes up for it. Adjacent to the James River … Sandals, water shoes and tennis shoes do not give your feet adequate protection or traction. If you are younger and you love fishing, this is a great stream. Bank and wade fishing access is also available throughout the river. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Best fishing is mid-June through October. Wading is limited but there is a road along the lower river. Most of shoreline offers easy flyfishing. There are a number of good fly shops that can give you tips on where to go and fly patterns to use. Fishing regulations on the Upper James. 2. Your email address will not be published. Our float fishing day begins around 9:00 a.m. after a hearty breakfast. The best way to fish it is to cover some water, and for this there is no finer boat than the McKenzie River … Very good fishing April and early May. Stocked with cutthroat trout in late May, fishing is best late May through June. We have been exploring some wade fishing options in anticipation of the next heat wave on the horizon. Where are the fish located in winter? 20. Deep Pools along the North Fork Flathead River in Montana provide the best fishing location. Good numbers of rainbows 12”-22”. We will have ample opportunities for taking side hikes, photography, exploring, and fishing tributaries and lakes. 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