Fly Fishing Montana

The Flathead River is producing some big fish, but numbers are low. The big fish are staging in the Main stem of the Flathead. They will make their way to the many tributaries in and around Glacier National Park and the Great Bear Wilderness.

The Flathead River consistantly produces the largest Cutthroat of the year in March and April, just before the annual run-off. The guides have been out in recent days catching some very big fish. It is not about numbers right now but size. You may go out and get skunked or you may catch a half dozen big pre-spawn cutthroats or Rainbows. These fish migrate up the river from Flathead Lake. They will stage in the main stem of the Flathead river and spawn in the various tributaries.

I love August here on the Flathead River. There is no secret as to what to use – Hoppers! Although we have not seen as many hoppers this year as in the past, they are still there. Fish seem to know that it is the time of year when they feed on the big, rich, nutritious grasshoppers. I have a few secret patterns that really work. The key here is to get the fly over the water that the big Cutthroat and Rainbow live. It will suprise you as to how far off the bottom they will come to eat one. And when they do the fight is on. There are some real nice fish right now on the main stem of the Flathead. As the summer winds down, we often see the largest fish of the year. The water has really held up this summer and I expect great fishing through the fall.

What do you do on a day off when you’re a fishing guide? Take the family fishing! We had another wonderful day on the river. My wife Marcy caught this beautiful 16-inch Cutthroat. The big fish ate a size 16 Beadhead Prince nymph dropped below a foam ant. Madison also caught a nice Cutthroat on a dry-fly. Water levels on the Flathead have held steady. I expect great fishing throughout the summer.

Its what I love the best about my home river – Great dry-fly fishing! The Flathead River is home to great Cutthroat and Rainbow trout fishing. These fish aggressively attack big dry flies in the crystal clear water. The weather has been perfect and the scenery is breathtaking.
Yesterday I took a couple from Chicago down the Middle Fork of the Flathead and we had a super day, including a Rainbow that measured 17 inches. The trip was made through Glacier Raft Company. Floating along the boundary of Glacier National Park makes it special.

our guides are reporting great success on both rivers right now. Sam Clark who guides for Northern Rockies Outfitters reported boating over 100 fish in a three day period. And he said most were very good-sized fish!

I spent nine successful days fishing the Missouri and the Big Hole.  The last three days were epic dry-fly fishing on the Big Hole.  Late June brings the the famous Salmon Fly hatch.  We hit it big time those last three days.  We had action all day and the highlight was a 28 inch whopper Brown Trout that ate a big dry, talk about exciting!  I am now back in the Flathead area waiting for the river to drop a little so we can get out there and catch some fiesty Cutthroat and Rainbow trout.  I will keep updating the progress of the river coming into shape.

I had two boats go out to Roger’s lake for a successful day of fishing in the rain.  Four great guys from Georgia secured our services.  Guides Drayton Osteen and Sam Clark did a marvelous job and they caught a ton of nice grayling and cutthroat.  Today the four guys went up to Glacier Park to fish upper Two Medicine Lake.  I hope they have a good day.  The Flathead River is looking like it should shape up in the next week or two if it doesn’t continue to rain.

Bob Asbury and I just got back from the Yakima River where we spent two days filming with Joe Rotter of Red’s Fly Shop.  Quality guide operation and lodge.  Caught several nice rainbow in the 15 – 17 inch range with the largest fish being 19 inches.

The fly fishing at this time is very good.