6/23/2026: Clark Fork River Fishing Report

Summary

Western Montana has dropped into a strong early-summer pattern. Flows are receding across the region, clarity is good, and the salmonfly hatch is winding down into a golden stone, PMD, Green Drake, yellow sally, and caddis show. Dry-dropper is the all-around search rig; single dries when fish are clearly up. Region-wide best window is roughly 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and that matters this week: highs push toward 90°F Tuesday through Thursday, so start early and carry a thermometer. Cooler weather with a thunderstorm chance returns Friday and Saturday.

At a glance: Dropping and slightly off color, clearing daily, ~61°F midday, ~3,510 CFS above Missoula and ~7,350 CFS below | GH 3/5 | Missoulian Angler 4/5 | Best window 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

Finally turned the corner and fishing great in and around Missoula. Dropping and slightly off-color, clearing by the day. Roughly 3,510 CFS above Missoula and 7,350 CFS below; mid-day water temperatures around 61°F. The upper river fishes well on foot or by boat; the lower river is still a big-water float program.

Best techniques

The dry-fly bite has been the ticket along grassy banks, inside bends, foam lines, and soft seams. Rig a dry-dropper with Plan B, Henry's Fork Golden, or Chubby Chernobyl over a Zirdle Bug, Jiggler, Frenchie, or Jig TNT PMD. When trout key on PMDs or Drakes in the flats, scale down and present a Flash Cripple, Sparkle Dun, or Extended Body Drake. Strip or swing streamers through slower water near structure.

Hatches

Golden Stones are the focus with salmonflies fading. Steady PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and lots of caddis are all contributing.

The Fly Box

Nymphs: Pat's Rubber Legs, Explosion Stone, TJ Hooker, Zirdles, Blackout Stone, Blowtorch, Frenchie, Shuck It, Split Case PMD, Jig PT, Prince Nymph, Ms. Tickle, Perdigons

Dries: Chubby Chernobyl, Plan B, Henry's Fork Golden, Water Walker, Dancin' Ricky, Trina's Carnage Drake, Brindlechute, On Point Para Wulff, Rio's Film Critic, Flash Cripple, Sparkle Dun, Extended Body Green Drake, Purple Haze, Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis

Streamers: Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex Minnows, Mini Dungeons, Peanut Envy, Sculpzilla, Thin Mint, Woolly Buggers

Outlook. Often overlooked, June and July on the Clark Fork are special. Conditions should keep improving as flows drop and clarity holds. Stoneflies stay the headline; PMDs and caddis grow more important.

Sources and Thanks

Shop	Report date	Coverage
Blackfoot River Outfitters	June 19, 2026	All four rivers
Kingfisher Fly Shop	June 22, 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 21, 2026	All four rivers