he Clark Fork River can easily be described as three different rivers. The headwaters are a meandering stream much like the Beaverhead River, and has a predominately brown trout population that are more than willing to attack a streamer or bait fish imitation. As it approaches Missoula, both Rock Creek and the Blackfoot River dump into it before it reaches town. As it winds through Missoula, it turns into more of an urban trout fishery. As it exits Missoula, The Clark Fork meets up with the Bitterroot River and almost doubles in flow size. The species more predominate in this lower stretch is mostly large rainbow trout. For the next 40 miles it remains a large stream as it winds through the Alberton Gorge and its white water section.
On this stream we fish all different techniques including nymph, emergers, dries, and also streamers.
Because of the variety this river has to offer, we can fish different sections without having to feel that we’re on the same river.
Fishing the upper end tends to lean more toward getting out of the boat and wade fishing while the lower stretch we primarily fish from the boat.
We fish this river all season long, except for the upper stretch which tends to be affected more by algae in the late summer. Several years ago the Mill Town Dam was removed east of Missoula which caused the fish in the lower stretch to move up and mix in the upper stretches gene pool.
Because of the diversity of the Clark Fork River it would be easy to spend your entire fly fishing trip exploring this fishery.
A new favorite stretch on the Clark Fork River is the area surrounding the removal of the Mill town dam because of the habitat restoration methods used during the process of clean up with the help of the Clark Fork River coalition.

If you want to specifically fish the Clark Fork River please call us to discuss dates and availability. If you are interested in fly-fishing Missoula’s rivers please contact us about the dates you would like to visit, and we can make some great recommendations based on our extensive experience and your individual fly-fishing goals. Certain rivers afford different opportunities to anglers based upon their level of expertise, so please be honest about your abilities; we want to make sure you have the best experience possible!