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River guide · Montana

Fly Fishing the Clark Fork River

The Clark Fork defines Missoula: a broad, braided freestone river with prolific caddis and mayfly hatches that keep fish looking up well into October. It transforms from a small meadow stream near Anaconda to a wide western river by the time it passes through downtown, offering everything from easy wade fishing to technical canyon floats.

  • 16 shops nearby
  • freestone
  • June–October
  • Montana
  • 6 key hatches
See fly shops ↓

The best time to fly fish the Clark Fork River is June–October. Key hatches include Skwala Stonefly, Blue, Mother's Day Caddis, Pale Morning Dun. 16 fly shops near the Clark Fork River can outfit your trip.

Fly shops near the Clark Fork River

Shops and guides that fish the Clark Fork River. See all 93 Montana shops →

Grizzly Hackle Fly ShopThe Missoulian Angler Fly ShopMissoula Guided Fly FishingBlackfoot River OutfittersMt Flyfishing Connection LLCWestern Montana FlyfishingMissoula Fly Fishing OutfittersR. R. 406 Fly Fishing GuidesMissoula on the Fly | Missoula, Montana - Guided Fly Fishing TripsBitterroot Fly CompanyTrue Water Fly ShopBuglife Flyfishing
12 fly shops shown

Species on this water

BassCarpPanfishPikeTrout

Nearby towns

MissoulaWyeNagos

Rivers nearby

Bitterroot RiverBlackfoot RiverMissouri RiverBig Hole River
Hatches & seasons

When & what to fish on the Clark Fork River

River typefreestone
Best seasonJune–October; September is peak dry-fly month
AccessMontana's largest river by volume runs through downtown Missoula and parallels I-90 for much of its length, giving easy road access to multiple FWP fishing access sites. Major floats include Beavertail to Milltown, the Missoula Town Stretch, Kelly Island to Cyr, and the challenging Alberton Gorge.
Key hatches
  • Skwala Stonefly (March–April)
  • Blue-winged Olive / March Brown (spring and fall)
  • Mother's Day Caddis (May)
  • Pale Morning Dun (June–July)
  • Green Drake / Trico (July–August)
  • Mahogany Dun (September–October)
From The Fly Bench

Tie the flies that work on the Clark Fork River

Step-by-step tying recipes & videos for these patterns.

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Gear up

Gear up on the Clark Fork River

Everything you need before the next trip — rods, lines, leaders, and fly-tying materials.

Shop the gear Flies that work

The flies that work on the Clark Fork River

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Updated June 2026