6/26/2026: Clark Fork River Fishing Report
2026-06-26 (June 26, 2026)
Regional summary
Western Montana has settled into a strong early-summer window. Runoff is receding across the region, flows are dropping into workable summer shape, and the salmonfly show is winding down (a few stragglers linger in the upper Blackfoot canyon and high in the Rock Creek drainage). Golden Stones are now the headline big bug, with PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and caddis all in the mix. Dry-dropper is the dominant method everywhere. Watch the forecast: afternoon highs push near 90°F midweek before cooler weather and thunderstorms arrive Friday and Saturday. Fish early; carry a thermometer.
At a glance: Turned the corner, fishing great | slightly off color and dropping | ~61°F midday | ~3,510 CFS above Missoula, ~7,350 below | GH rating: 3/5 | Best window: 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
The Clark Fork has finally turned the corner and is fishing great. Water has dropped into shape across the whole river, and fish are spreading into classic summer holding water: grassy banks, inside bends, foam lines, side channels, drop-offs, and soft seams next to heavier current. On the lower end fish tight to the banks, willow lines, and eddies; above Missoula target wood structure and the banks.
Best techniques
- Dry-dropper a 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.
- Nymphing stays productive all day; keep streamers in the rotation during cooler, wetter light.
Hatches
Golden Stones are the main focus with salmonflies fading, joined by steady PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and lots of caddis.
The Fly Box
Nymphs: Pat's Rubber Legs, Explosion Stone, TJ Hooker, Zirdle Bug, Blow Torch, Shuck It, Frenchie, Jig PT, Prince Nymph, Split Case PMD, Psycho May, Jig TNT PMD, Jiggler
Dries: Chubby Chernobyl, Plan B, Dancin' Ricky, Blackout Stone, Henry's Fork Golden, Flash Cripple, Trina's Carnage Drake, Sparkle Dun, Extended Body Drake, Ms. Tickle, Brindle Chute, On Point Para Wulff, Film Critic, Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis, Purple Haze, Parachute Adams
Streamers: Sparkle Minnow, Mini-Dungeon, Peanut Envy, Sculpzilla, Thin Mint, Woolly Bugger, Kreelex, Barely Legal
Outlook. Mix of sun and clouds with temps in the 70s, possibly the 80s next week. Rain this week will likely change conditions and clarity in the short term; cloudy windows should improve the dry-fly and streamer bite.
Sources and Thanks
| Shop | Report date | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Blackfoot River Outfitters | June 19, 2026 | All four rivers |
| Kingfisher Fly Shop | June 26, 2026 | All four rivers |
| Grizzly Hackle | June 13, 2026 | Clark Fork |
| Lightweight Fly Shop | June 21, 2026 | All four rivers, consolidated |
| The Missoulian Angler | June 2026 | Fly corroboration |
