6/20/2026: Clark Fork River Fishing Report

Summary

Western Montana is into real early-summer fishing now. Flows keep dropping across the region, clarity is improving by the day, and the stonefly show is the headline: Salmonflies are winding down (now mostly upper reaches) while Golden Stones take over everywhere, joined by Green Drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and caddis filling the dry-fly windows. Big-bug dry-dropper fishing is the dominant game on all four rivers. Rock Creek and the Blackfoot are the standout dry-fly options; the Bitterroot is the safest all-around bet; the Clark Fork has turned the corner and is fishing great. Warm afternoons are in the forecast, so fish the late-morning-through-early-afternoon window and watch water temperatures.

At a glance: Dropping, slightly off color, ~61°F midday. Upper ~3,600-4,490 CFS above Missoula, ~8,310 CFS below | GH 3/5 | Missoulian Angler 4/5 | Best window 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m

The Clark Fork has finally turned the corner and is fishing great. The water has dropped into a good spot to fish the entire river and clarity is improving by the day. The dry fly bite has been the ticket, with a steady mix of Golden Stones, PMDs, and a few Green Drakes; Salmonflies are fading and lots of caddis and Yellow Sallies are active. Caddis are best in the evening; PMDs and Green Drakes show better in cloudy, softer light. Focus on the lower end tight to banks, willow lines, and eddies; above Missoula target wood structure and tight to the banks.

Best techniques

Dry-dropper has been productive: a Plan B, Henry's Fork Golden, or Chubby Chernobyl up top with a Zirdle Bug, Jiggler, Frenchie, or Jig TNT PMD underneath. When trout key on PMDs or Drakes in the flats, scale down the leader and present a Flash Cripple, Sparkle Dun, or an Extended Body Drake. A nymph rig stays consistent with big stonefly patterns like Pat's RLs, Explosion Stones, TJ Hookers, and Zirdles, plus Blowtorches, Shuck Its, Jig PTs, Prince nymphs, and Jigged Hare's Ears. For the dry on top try Dancin Rickys and Blackout Stones in #8-12; look smaller with Ms. Tickles and Brindlechutes. Strip or swing Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex Minnows, Mini Dungeons, and Woolly Buggers through slower water and structure.

Hatches

Golden Stones, PMDs, Green Drakes, caddis, Yellow Sallies, and Salmonflies.

The Fly Box

Nymphs: Psycho May, Jigged Hare's Ears, Frenchies

Dries: Chubby Chernobyl, Water Walkers, Elk Hair Caddis, Purple Haze, Trina's Carnage Drake

Streamers: Swim Coach, Peanut Envy

Outlook. A mix of sun and clouds this weekend with temps in the 70s, then lots of sunshine next week reaching the 70s and possibly 80s. Watch Friday night into Saturday, when thunderstorms or heavier rain could bump flows or clarity. June and July on the Clark Fork are special and often overlooked. If the river keeps dropping and stays clear, expect steadily improving fishing with excellent dry-fly windows whenever a hatch peaks.

Sources and Thanks

Shop	Report date	Coverage
Blackfoot River Outfitters	June 19, 2026	All four rivers
Kingfisher Fly Shop	June 19, 2026	All four rivers
Grizzly Hackle	June 13, 2026	All four rivers
The Missoulian Angler	June 12, 2026	All four rivers
Lightweight Fly Shop	June 14, 2026	All four rivers, consolidated