Clark Fork River

Troubled by nearly a century of mining and smelting near the headwaters of this watershed, the Clark Fork River has slowly bounced back into fishery overlooked by most. You get a little bit of everything as far as hatches go on this body of water. Big bugs like salmon flies, goldens and nocturnal stones will pace those looking for your traditional dry/dropper game. A myriad of smaller stones, mayflies and caddis balance the diet of hungry trout who love sipping on soft edges and in the foamy back eddies. Hot summer days can make for some great terrestrial actions, big hungry bows eagerly chase down your favorite hopper or beetle patterns in the faster riffles and seams. And if the trout fishing isn’t enough and you have a hankering for throwing some meat, the Clark Fork has a healthy and thriving population of northern pike. Large streamers fished fast on the slow edges and in the backwaters can add some extra variety to your day.