Fishing Report - Early June 2023
Missouri River
[Craig + Wolf Creek]
Flathead River
[Kalispell + Whitefish + Bigfork + Columbia Falls]
Wolf Creek + Craig
Missouri River
The mighty Mo is running just shy of 14 grand. Big water! But as of today the flows stabilized and the fishing was great. Best nymphing – 2 bbs, sow, and your favorite pmd pattern. The quick water at the head of the runs, and shorter riggs in scum lines are both effective.
Dry fly anglers. These flows are tough but there is some heads if you know where to look. The pmd seems to be making his first appearance at about 1030 a.m. or so. If you can find a consistent rising fish, he is very catchable right now.
Streamers are still effective, just go early and pound the banks – strip strip strip repeat. White seems to be the color of choice!
Dam – Craig
sows.
worms.
size 18 green machine.
Below Craig
worms.
mayfly.
caddis puppa
Kalispell + Whitefish + Bigfork + Columbia Falls
Flathead River
The Flathead River is fishing great now! We are sitting at flows typical of mid-July. This has made run-off season a breeze in the Flathead Valley. The summer crowds have yet to arrive and you can still get the river to yourself if you time it just right.
We have put the nymph rig away (hopefully for the season) and moved on to dropper fishing. The temps feel like summer and there are quite a few different bugs flying around late afternoon. Golden stones, mayflies, and still an occasional salmon fly.
Your choice of big foamy dry on top with a nymph below. Worm, G bug, frenchy, PT jig, and any small mayfly nymph are working. Pick something you like and fish it with confidence.
We are finding them in different types of water. Try the slow inside-outs and look for color change drop-offs. Be ready for a dry fly bite in the soft water just on the edge of the riffles.
Late afternoon dry fly bite has been ON!
Purple haze.
Parachute adams.
Frenchy.
San juans.
Girdle bug.
Your favorite color chubby.
Lakes
We also offer half and full-day trips on both Whitefish Lake and Flathead Lake mainly for lake trout. We are having success bouncing a 3-inch white tub jig off the bottom.
