, All Time 10 Best Fly-Fishing Nymphs for the Rocky Mountains. There is lot’s more you need to know about a South Fork Trip, so please call today for more information! Thread starter gbanker; Start date Aug 27, 2016; gbanker Well-known member. Take, for instance, a recent trip I took to the South Fork with a couple friends. The South Fork is formed from the junction of Danaher Creek and Young’s Creek and runs for 45 miles due north, fed by dozens of small tributaries, where it exits the wilderness near Spotted Bear Ranger Station. Typically, we start fishing both rivers in late June through September using dry flies. Your target species will be cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. Fortunately, anglers atone for that average size in the number of fish landed and they find an overall experience they couldn’t dream of on the big-name streams, such as the Madison, Big Horn, Beaverhead or Yellowstone, where boat-launch lines are common and many fish wear multiple hook scars on their faces. The South Fork of the Flathead River is a truly remote stream. The South Fork of the Flathead begins deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness at the confluence of Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek. We started at the Meadow Creek Trailhead on the lower South Fork and charged in about 10 miles, burdened by 50-pound backpacks and the previous evening’s toxic dreams, courtesy of the Bucksnort Bar. Included: We provide transportation from Kalispell to the river and back to Treat them gently. Aug 27, 2016 #1 Each August , for the past 4 years , my wife and I have ridden 20 miles into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to fish for cutts. South Fork of the Flathead River Long before I had a bucket list and two pack donkeys, I yearned to hike up the South Fork of the Flathead River. South Fork of the Flathead River – Slideshow. These aren’t the largest trout you’ll ever see, but they average about 10 inches and stretch up to 17 or 18 inches on the large end. The South Fork Flathead is one of the most beautiful and productive trout streams in North America. The South Fork of the Flathead is known in the fly fishing world as the mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing. Review of the best fly fishing at South Fork Flathead River in Montana. The Flathead River has something for everyone. Wilderness is wilderness and enforcement of that regulation is nearly impossible. The South Fork emerges from the renowned Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex flowing into the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Until 2004 bull trout were totally protected in the South Fork drainage and directed fishing for them was deemed illegal. South Fork Flathead River Fly Fishing is the best you will find anywhere – period. We dedicate our river time on this trip to fishing for one of the purest strains of Westslope Cutthroat trout in the world. The South Fork is a place I'll take my daughter, Tate, to learn the ropes. Montana’s Flathead River flows through the pristine, densely forested Bob Marshall Wilderness, the one-million acre chunk of protected turf that offers perhaps some of the best western fly-fishing in these United States. When fishing the South Fork, anglers can raise fish to bushy, attractor dry flies, such as the classic Royal Wulff. Adding intrigue to a South Fork foray is the method in which anglers access the river—by horseback or on foot, with heavy packs on their backs, following significant trails that course steep bluffs and lead into the wilderness. This is when life gets good for the South Fork’s cutthroats and its fly-fishers. Skip navigation Sign in. In doing so, those cutthroats exit prime feeding lanes and set up camp in marginal habitat. One way to up your odds for a larger fish is to set sights on the South Fork’s other native specie, the bull trout. Shaggy-maned mountain goats dance across granite cliffs, snubbing their snouts at gravity. Focus on the riffles, seams and pools. Bull trout are gorgeous, pale-sided, pink-spotted, orange-finned fish that frequent the South Fork’s deepest pools and they are prone to attack streamers, such as double-bunnies, muddler minnows and woolhead sculpins. Time, as our parents promised and we never believed, is at a premium and this comet called life is shifting to overdrive. Contact us today! The Flathead River represents the combined flow of hundreds of headwater creeks funneled from the glacial cirques of Glacier National Park and other wild places within the U.S. and Canada. Messages 202 Reaction score 5 Location Tucson, AZ winter, Durango,CO summer. Fishing the North Fork Flathead River. Messages 202 Reaction score 5 Location Tucson, AZ winter, Durango,CO summer. The Flathead River can fish well all year, but our summer months are best for dry fly fishing. Fishing seasons . Thread starter gbanker; Start date Aug 27, 2016; gbanker Well-known member. Good casts and good drifts—and even some bad ones—are rewarded. this truly is a trip of a lifetime. fishing regulations help protect it even more. We set up camp in a grove of aspens just 30 yards from the stream. They’re not stupid. The South Fork has good numbers of 8”- 16” cutthroat. The South Fork has good numbers of 8”- 16” cutthroat. Mid-afternoon of day 2 you will be off the horses and on the river! The wilderness mountain settings, clear waters, campfires, wilderness lakes and streams, and superb fishing will wash away worldly cares. The Flathead River system is a unique fishery located around Glacier National Park and is made up of three forks which eventually drain into Flathead Lake. 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. At camp, likely under phenomenal stars, we’ll stoke a fire, make hot chocolate and toast the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The three forks converge near Columbia Falls, Montana and become the main stem of the Flathead River. × 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. The South Fork of the Flathead River enters the Main Stem of the Flathead about five miles below Hungry Horse Dam that forms the big Hungry Horse Reservoir on the South Fork. Please Click Here for the description provided by the forest service. That spring activity forces fish to burn severely limited energy reserves and some of them wither. Fly Fishing in the United States. Here, you will find one of the best Westslope Cutthroat trout populations not only in Montana, but nationwide. The river also offers bull trout, which can range past 30 inches, and you can legally fish … Fly Fishing Near Glacier National Park The Flathead River system is a unique fishery located around Glacier National Park and is made up of three forks which eventually drain into Flathead Lake. We begin the floating portion of our trip on day three. Fly fishing the Flathead River system provides a healthy population of native Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Bull … South Fork Flathead River (below dam) – 5,140 CFS. Loaded with native westslope cutthroat, the South Fork is as good as dry-fly fishing gets. Access is difficult on the South Fork of the Flathead River. Every Year is slightly different. The South Fork is one of the very few places in the lower 48 where we may legally fish for these carnivorous monsters. Bull trout are known to grow up to 36” in this fishery, so if you are looking to catch that fish of a lifetime, you have come to the right place. Fishing seasons . The ride in is 6-8 hours so at least two of the days will be devoted to riding on horseback. Several guide services located around the Bob provide packing services, and can pack in gear for the floaters without a horse. During the summer months, numerous smaller cutthroats in the 8-12 inch range cruise the river. For years now, the South Fork of the Flathead River has sat squarely at the top of that list. Fish from those streams drop to Flathead Lake during winter, just like the South Fork’s fish used to do, where they compete with bull trout and non-native fishes, such as Lake Superior whitefish, lake trout (also called mackinaws), northern pike, and rainbow trout. By mid-November, when harsh weather returns to northwest Montana, the South Fork’s cutthroat head for the reservoir, hoping they carry enough mass and fat reserves to survive another winter. There are some parts of the Middle, North, and South Fork Flathead River areas, which are part of government lands, so Montana Fishing Guides does not offer trips in those areas. As I’ve discovered, trout connoisseurs would be hard pressed to find a more secure bet than northwest Montana’s South Fork Flathead River. Located in the Crown of the Continent, and down river from Glacier National Park, The FlatheadRiver offers exciting fishing opportunities for Montana’s native trout and breath taking panoramas. The South Fork is a cutthroat-trout laden stream that flows through the pristine, densely forested Bob Marshall Wilderness, a one-million acre chunk of protected turf that offers a quintessential western fly-fishing experience—a level of solitude in wild country with naïve trout taken on nothing more representative than bushy attractor dry flies. Wade fishing is also the most popular way to fish the South Fork of the Flathead River, simply because getting a raft into the wilderness area is no easy feat. Loaded with native westslope cutthroat, the South Fork is as good as dry-fly fishing gets. This is outstanding fishing, as there is a wild cutthroat trout everywhere in the river you would expect one to be – and some in places you would NOT expect them to be. Due to the cold, clear, low nutrient water, fly fishing in the North Fork Flathead River can be spotty. Lincoln, MT 59639 Thread starter gbanker; Start date Aug 13, 2012; gbanker Well-known member. Main Stem – 17,500 CFS The South Fork emerges from the renowned Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex flowing into the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Our float fishing day begins around 9:00 a.m. after a hearty breakfast. Horses and mules transport us, our boats and gear 20 to 26 miles (depending upon which trail we take in and the itinerary). Messages 202 Reaction score 5 Location Tucson, AZ winter, Durango,CO summer. This river flows through the Bob Marshall Wilderness and is loaded with native westslope cutthroat trout. These days when I propose a fishing trip they are likely to say, “For reasons outside my control, I can’t.” I want them to say, “Where do we meet?” When I hear the former I say, “Who wears the pants in your family?”. Fly fishing the … Our Bob Marshall trips are operated in partnership with long time packer and permit holder … During that smorgasbord, cutthroats feed with abandon, pretty much rising to any insect passing overhead, desperately trying to replace lost weight, while building an energy surplus to sustain them through another challenging winter season. Good casts and good drifts—and even some bad ones—are rewarded. Bull elk, with antlers rubbed chocolate brown on massive cedars and spruce, slip through brushy, huckleberry-bush laden forests. Phone: 406-362-3070. Montana is legendary for its outstanding fly fishing and the waters fished by Glacier Anglers are no exception. The South Fork, which is located east of Flathead Lake in northwestern Montana, is one of three major forks of the mother-stream Flathead River. Fishing Reports, South Fork The river helps the BWO and mahogany dun activity by having a near constant flow ( 6050 cfs at Irwin, 6700 cfs at Heise, 3550 cfs at Lorenzo) of clear, cool water for several days, but it looks like a drop in flow out of Palisades is coming up. Fly Fishing Montana's North Fork, Blackfoot River - Duration: 2:43. levwood 47,672 views. Get the latest up to date fly fishing report for Trout fishing in North Fork of the Flathead River with the top producing flies and recommended equipment to get you into fish. By July (usually by the Fourth of July), most of the South Fork’s cutthroat have spawned and they return to the main river just as high water recedes. That most fish find conditions adequate in Hungry Horse Reservoir is the main reason why the South Fork’s fishery is in better condition that its sister streams, the Middle and North forks of the Flathead River. The South Fork Flathead River is home to an incredible number of Westslope Cutthroat, and the huge Bull Trout (Dolly Varden). Portions of the upper mainstem Flathead River are classified as 'Recreational' within the Wild and Scenic River Classification system. Cutthroats levitate for dry flies at a methodical pace that forces anglers to employ every ounce of patience before setting the hook. Lake trout are particularly maddening because they prey heavily on the Flathead system’s cutthroat—in Flathead Lake and in 50 miles of the Flathead River above the lake—which keeps trout populations in the mainstem Flathead and the Middle and North forks much lower than they could and should be. The river opens for fishing on the third Saturday of May until 30 November. South Fork Flathead River. The Flathead River system is a unique fishery located around Glacier National Park and is made up of three forks which eventually drain into Flathead Lake. Most common fish species. At least three lodges are located outside the wilderness on the lower South Fork and when hiking into the South Fork drainage anglers should expect to encounter private and commercial packtrains, likely several a day. It almost seems like a prerequisite for the fishing trips we take is this: They must be sure-bets so we can strain as much from our time as possible. Rocky Mountain Range. South Fork Flathead River. There are some parts of the Middle, North, and South Fork Flathead River areas, which are part of government lands, so Montana Fishing Guides does not offer trips in those areas. This gin-clear river runs through the Bob Marshall Wilderness for nearly its full length, south to north. Horses and mules transport us, our boats and gear 20 to 26 miles (depending upon which trail we take in and the itinerary). Here at Glacier Anglers, we fish both the Middle and North Forks. Aug 13, 2012 #1 Welcome any info from anyone who has been able to fish this river. The Flathead River system is a unique fishery located around Glacier National Park and is made up of three forks which eventually drain into Flathead … Yes, some anglers say, cutthroats are beautiful fish and they are fun to catch. September 14, 2017 at 8:07 am Sounds pretty dangerous with all … Thinking about a trip there next summer with my wife. But, critics add, those fish are “stupid” and offer little challenge to the advanced angler. The Flathead River is a crystal clear, clean, cold river inhabited by native … In addition, hair-wing Trudes, Elk-Hair Caddis, Parachute Adams, foam beetles, Humpies, and Renegades rarely meet refusal. ... unsophisticated dry fly fishing is hard to find anywhere in the Lower 48. Flathead valley has many fishing oppertunities. Wolverines tromp across shale nine thousand feet above sea-level digging rodents from rock piles, crushing their prey in powerful jaws. It was a 2 day horseback, 5 day fly-fishing float trip back into the Bob Marshall Wilderness. I’m not a numbers guy when it comes to fishing, but I did keep track of the fish I caught on a particular day, August 21. It has plenty of good size cutthroat and rainbow trout along with some grayling and some fully protected bull trout. Unfortunately, all they can do is picture those fish because few monster cutthroats are found in the Flathead. South Fork Flathead River info? It gains volume with the contributions of the White River, Big and Little Salmon creeks, Black Bear Creek, and other small tributaries. When it comes to fly fishing, it doesn’t get much better than the wild miles of the Flathead River. gco@linctel.net South Fork of the Flathead 6-day Come fish untouched water. Years of guiding in western Montana during the summers provided me with great exposure to Montana's fabled waters, but the idea of fishing for pure strain Westslope cutthroats in the heart of the Bob Marshall Complex nagged at me right into retirement. In the old days, they say, a guy could catch 20 or 30 cutthroats ranging between 15 and 20 inches a day. Fly fishing the South Fork of the Flathead River should remain a favorite for the explorer type of angler for a long time. The beginner angler can have good chances to catch their first fish on a fly rod, and the expert can work a tough riser on tiny dries. A Trip Down the South Fork of the Flathead From the Young's and Danaher Creek Confluence to Meadow Creek Gorge July, 2015 Click on any image for a larger view; Contact garya at this domain if you would like the high quality image for printing . —GT, My forest of fly-fishing friends is thinning. Maybe this is the summer to repeat that trip. Here's the video from our Montana trip in July! As it winds its way through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, surrounding Glacier National Park, the fishing is a dream that goes perfectly with the view. This river flows through the Bob Marshall Wilderness and is loaded with native westslope cutthroat trout. I see the cutthroat as a daredevil and a survivor. Our location is known as the best fishing on the South Fork River corridor by locals and guides alike; and our base camp is a stones-throw from the wild hatchery. South Fork Flathead River Fly Fishing is the best you will find anywhere – period. Included: We provide transportation from Kalispell to the river and back to Kalispell at the end of the trip. Many guests choose to have their vehicle shuttled to the Meadow Creek Trailhead where our journey ends. Fly Fishing Near Glacier National Park. Or, you could have horses pack a raft into wilderness and float out. South Fork Flathead River info? In addition, they find an adequate winter food supply. When you go on a South Fork Flathead River Fly Fishing Trip, you will fly into either Missoula, Kalispell or Great Falls, depending upon which trailhead we begin the trip from. While you wash off the trail dust, have a drink and relax or go fishing, the crew sets up camp and gets dinner going. Chubby chernobyls, PMXs, stimulators, and purple haze mayflies are our best selling flies for this river. However, Montana Fishing Guides are well versed in those areas that are legal to guide on and we plan and execute expertly guided fly fishing trips on many parts of Flathead River. A real nice westslope cutthroat ready for release. A South Fork cutthroat’s challenges don’t end with winter. Fly Fishing on the Flathead River Post Date: May 12, 2020. Some private anglers and even the commercially outfitted groups likely keep fish exceeding the legal size. Get out there and enjoy the beautiful Flathead River, have fun, and happy fishing! All fish in the South Fork of the Flathead River are wild as the river is not stocked with hatchery fish. We tried our best, but we couldn’t really reach the sweet spot. Through the South Fork’s wilderness stretch, anglers are allowed three trout a day, none stretching longer than 12 inches, a limit that ensures good fishing in the future, but not necessarily the fishing of the past. Whether you are a veteran angler or a first-time beginner, you will be thrilled and amazed at the numbers and size of the Westlope Cutthroat Trout. When it comes to fly fishing, it doesn’t get much better than the wild miles of the Flathead River. The Flathead River’s South Fork: A Haven for Cutthroat Fly-Fishing Mavens Montana’s Flathead River flows through the pristine, densely forested Bob Marshall Wilderness, the one-million acre chunk of protected turf that offers perhaps some of the best western fly-fishing in these United States. The South Fork of the Flathead River is also one of the few areas in the lower 48 states that allows you to target and catch the Native Bull Trout. General South Fork Flathead trip rates: inquire here or call us at 208-756-3959. Anglers absolutely love wade fishing this upper reach. Latest News ‘Cudas and Trash All of Montana Fly Fishing Experience’s 1/2 day trips include all equipment, flies, snacks, and drinks. One of the best Big Sky Country trips you could take is to the South Fork Flathead River in northwest Montana. Thread starter gbanker; Start date Aug 13, 2012; gbanker Well-known member. Flows: North Fork Flathead River- 5,050 CFS. From numerous promontories, located a couple hundred feet above the South Fork, anglers peer into aqua-green holes, some that reach 30 feet deep, and imagine trout as long as their legs holding against the current. This cold, clear water flows into the North, South and Middle forks of the Flathead, which merge together near Columbia Falls to begin a southward journey. Snow-pack, run-off, and weather conditions can alter the hatch times considerably. 8-Day South Fork Fly-fishing Trip ~ $5900.00 *Price subject to 7% Forest Service User Fees. South Fork Flathead River Dave Archer, fishingtips101.com. Hatches on the South Fork of the Flathead River include caddis, mayflies, spruce moths, and many terrestrials including hoppers, ants, and beetles. Remember, cutthroats are the only native trout found in Montana, minus a few smallish rainbows living in the northwest corner of the state. Any rafts will need to be brought in either on your back or on horse. Between late June and mid-November the river runs so exactingly clear it appears that nothing greater than cellophane exists between the bottom rocks and the sky. … Facebook . Think about it: prior to construction of Hungry Horse Dam in 1953, the South Fork’s cutthroat wintered in Flathead Lake, an act that required a perilous 70-mile downstream journey. Best fishing … As it winds its way through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, surrounding Glacier National Park, the fishing is a dream that goes perfectly with the view. The South Fork is a great river for the elite angler as well as the novice & the beginner, very easy to wade, lots of gravel bars, easy casting & you will catch nice fish! Bull Trout in excess of 35" can be caught and are often times considered a “bucket list” fish for many fly fishermen. In addition, high flows signal a time for mature fish to push upriver and negotiate roily tributary streams, places where they find mates and pea-sized gravel conducive to their spawning effort. Our ultimate printable guide to South Fork Flathead River fly fishing in Montana has a fly fishing river description, maps, lodging recommendations and contact information. Then its time to inflate boats and bolt frames together! When the time comes, I’ll take my children to the river and teach them to fish dry flies for eager cutthroats. Usually, just one guide will accompany the anglers while the remaining guides finish up with the boats. The Flathead is unique because it remains one of the few primarily native Westslope Cutthroat Trout fisheries left. Years of guiding in western Montana during the summers provided me with great exposure to Montana's fabled waters, but the idea of fishing for pure strain Westslope cutthroats in the heart of the Bob Marshall Complex nagged at me right into retirement. At that time the river warms and hatches of stoneflies, caddisflies, mayflies and terrestrial insects, such as ants, beetles and moths occur. 8-Day South Fork Fly-fishing Trip ~ $5900.00 *Price subject to 7% Forest Service User Fees. However you get there, the South Fork of the Flathead River is a place where good fishing and a wonderful experience go hand in hand. Fly Fishing in the United States. Fly Fishing in the United States. Through the summer and fall, you can stay at our camp that is within a minutes’ walk of … I fish the portion within the Bob Marshall Wilderness area every time I go. Typically they hold behind boulders and downed logs, or in sidechannels where the current is manageable. Recall, brown trout came from Europe in the late 1880s and rainbows arrived from California. South Fork Flathead River Fly Fishing. Get the latest up to date fly fishing report for Trout fishing in North Fork of the Flathead River with the top producing flies and recommended equipment to get you into fish. Grizzly and black bears tempt the conscious from their dark, forested lairs, just off the trail and behind camp. I may have been the first person to handle that fish. A river that sees relatively few fly fishers—and with this type of trout population—means that the trout live exactly where you think they should. The Flathead is unique because it remains one of the few primarily native Westslope Cutthroat Trout fisheries left. Fishing the North Fork Flathead River. After 60 miles it is gobbled up by the Hungry Horse Reservoir and then flows for another 5 miles into the town of Hungry Horse, Montana. In that reservoir the fish find minimal current, which allows them to conserve energy. Rocky Mountain Range. Breathtaking Scenery and Great Fishing. Hike-in anglers are free to fish anywhere they please, however far away from the main trails their feet and mindset are willing to take them. Salmon Forks Outfitters offers a one-of-a-kind horseback fly fishing trip to the headwaters of the famed South Fork of the Flathead River. A river that sees relatively few fly fishers—and with this type of trout population—means that the trout live exactly where you think they should. Flowing south to north, the South Fork of the Flathead River begins deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. For the first few days of the trip, the water meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines. From there we float the approximately 50 miles out over the course of 4 – 5 days. Trout reward that patience with a few moments of chaos and an occasional aerial display, followed by determined charges to the middle of the river. ... 2 comments for “ Fishing South Fork of Flathead River ” Bill Tilman. These days, most of the South Fork’s cutthroat descend the river and spend winter in Hungry Horse reservoir, a 35-mile long impoundment that separates the upper South Fork from its lower five miles. Midges #16-20 (Black & Green body, white wing) Dry Fly – Griffiths Gnat, Poly wing midge, purple haze Nymph – Brassie, Green machine, shop vac. The logjams and portages didn't affect our … 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. It begins deep in the Bob Marshall and, ultimately, flows more than 40 miles through wilderness designation and another 20 miles through National Forest Service lands before losing itself to Hungry Horse Reservoir. South Fork Flathead River. The native west-slope cutthroats found in the South Fork Flathead are gems, each fish carrying the genes and internal wiring of their ancestors, traits developed specifically for survival in a harsh northern Montana climate and the challenging South Fork Flathead River Valley. God's Country Outfitters Since 1996 - Fly Fishing on the Flathead River Post Date: May 12, 2020. Due to the cold, clear, low nutrient water, fly fishing in the North Fork Flathead River can be spotty. P.O. The river also offers bull trout, which can range past 30 inches, and you can legally fish them in this river, if you have a special bull trout permit, which you can buy over the counter. The river opens for fishing on the third Saturday of May until 30 November. Each trip may take a different route in, but all will end the same place, which is nearest to Kalispell. Placid, trusting mule deer wander into camp, feeding on meadow grass and wildflowers. Depending on the time of year, anglers could be throwing large foam flies, deer hair caddis flies, or tiny emerging mayflies. The east side road (through Martin City) is straighter but gets more traffic. South Fork of the Flathead River Long before I had a bucket list and two pack donkeys, I yearned to hike up the South Fork of the Flathead River. One of the best Big Sky Country trips you could take is to the South Fork Flathead River in northwest Montana. The truth is, I respect the cutthroat more than its non-native cousins. On some trips, fishing may be available this first evening. The price is the same for a 5 or 6 day trip you can decide which is best for you. South Fork Flathead River One of the best flyfishing streams but it’s a long, dusty 50-mile drive on bumpy gravel roads to Spotted Bear. Today, fishing for South Fork bull trout, which range to 10 pounds or more, is allowed between the third Saturday in May and August 15. The Flathead River takes work to learn. 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