The Clark Fork River is still high and off color. We would recommend Rock Creek, Georgetown Lake, or Flint Creek for a more productive fishing experience.
The full effects of peak runoff are still being discovered. If you're floating Clinton to Turah, be careful around the powerlines and old railroad pylons. There is a blocked channel and lots of log jams on that stretch. Bottom line is be aware and take it slow. If in doubt, scout it out.
Here are a few tips for fly fishing the Clark Fork River:
1. Identify fishable water all the way up against the banks.
2. Try swinging a soft hackle behind a streamer in the long, walking speed runs.
3. Try double nymph rigs against the banks in slow water, with a mix of a hot bead worm, TJ Hooker, or perdigon.
Here are a few fly suggestions:
1. Olive perdigon size 16
2. Purple Haze size 12-20
3. Pink Depth Charge Worm size 10
4. Kreelex Minnow size 6, in copper/gold
5. TJ Hooker size 12-14, in coffee/black
6. Pheasant Tail Nymph size 16-20
7. Hot Bead San Juan Worm size 10, red with a hot orange bead
8. Caddis pupa size 14-16
Flows and looking ahead:
Flow: 6110 cfs near Drummond at the time of publishing this report.
Here is a link to the Clark Fork River above Missoula, Montana, USGS Water Information.
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Tight lines!