Flathead River Fishing Report: 04/29/24 The stream is flowing below a normal level and clear. There are some good Light Green and Red or blood Midge hatches taking place along with Little Black Caddis, Skwala stoneflies and March Brown mayflies. The streams are still flowing near or below a normal level.
The old fishing report archive is at the bottom of this page. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations. We can get flies and gear to you within two to three business days from the time you place your order via Priority Mail. If you provide a budget for flies, we will select them to match the budget and get them to you on time for your trip. Your can also call us at 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide what flies and gear to use. All orders are shipped free in the U.S. If under a $100 order requiring Priority mail is a charge of only $8.10. Orders over a $100 are shipped free via Priority Mail.
We also have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes. They make excellent gifts. Click Here To Order or Call us at 800 594 4726 or email us at sales@perfectflystore.com.
Type of Stream
Freestone Stream and Tailwater
Species
Rainbow Trout
Brown Trout
Cutthroat
Bull Trout (must be released)
Mountain Whitefish
Location
Northwestern Montana
Size:
Large, about 158 miles long
Nearest Towns
Whitefish
Kalispell
Season
3rd Sat of May through Nov 30th.
Plus a Catch and Release season
Access:
Very Good
Non-Resident License
State of Montana
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream Flow Data:
Near Perma
Near Polson
Near Columbia Falls
Seasons:
Seasons follow the general Montana fishing season.
Spring:
Late springtime has decent fishing opportunities and hatches as good as they get on the Flathead River.
Summer:
The Summer would be best time for fly fishing the Flathead.
Fall:
Early Fall presents good opportunities for big browns..
Options For Selecting Flies:
1. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)
with the dates you will be fishing this stream and we will send you a list of our fly suggestions. Please allow up to 24 hours for a response.
2. Call us 800-594-4726 and we will help you decide which flies you need.
3. Email us (sales@perfectflystore.com)
with a budget for flies and we will select them to match the budget and get them to you in time for your fly fishing trip.
All orders are shipped free in the
U. S. Orders over $100 are shipped via Priority Mail.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Flathead River Montana
Before we get started, please note that understanding how the Flathead River is made up can be a little confusing for those that are not familiar with it. This is about the main stem of the Flathead River. There are three other Flathead Rivers that are completely separate rivers. They are the North, Middle and South Forks of the Flathead River and each of these three rivers are covered in a separate section of our Perfect Fly Stream section.
The Main Stem of the Flathead River is formed by the confluence of the North Fork of the Flathead River and the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. The South Fork of the Flathead River enters the Main Stem of the Flathead about five miles below Hungry Horse Dam that forms the big Hungry Horse Reservoir on the South Fork. This river’s drainage is huge, including a large part of Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.
The Flathead River flows for about 158 miles. The huge Flathead Lake divides the river into two sections, the upper and lower section below the lake. From Flathead Lake, the largest lake in the West, the Flathead flows into the Clarke Fork River. Fly fishing the Flathead River can vary greatly depending on the exact location you fish. It’s a big river.
The upper section of the river is a big, cold fast flowing river. It is deep, and difficult to wade in most places and during most of the season. Its water is cold even during the Summer because it comes mostly from melting snow. There are several braided sections of the river where it divides into channels. It can be fished best from a drift boat but attention to the stream flow is warranted. The upper section has a population of rainbows and cutthroats. Access to this section is good.
The lower section of the Flathead River is a tailwater. Kerr dam regulates its flow which can change very quickly. Like all tailwaters, special attention is needed. Trout consist of browns and rainbows. It is considered a prime pike stream but there are some larger size rainbows and brown trout. The best fishing is just below the dam. The river flows through a canyon called Buffalo Rapids.
Flathead River Hatches and Trout Flies:
Contrary to what you might read, the fly your use is important. It is true the trout will take the generic fly patterns and attractor flies (we do sell those at Perfect Fly) but if you imitate the most plentiful and available insects (subsurface or top water) at the time you are fishing, you will substantially increase your odds of success. We have studied the aquatic insects in the Flathead and have taken samples of the larvae to develop reliable hatch charts.
There are variations in the tailwater sections and freestone sections. There are variation in terms of the time of hatches from the headwaters to the lower sections. Midges are king in the tailwaters but other species of insect exist.
Of all the mayflies, Blue-winged Olives and Pale Morning Duns are the most common and important ones. There are others including March Browns, Yellow Quills, Dark Red Quills, Tricos, Green Drakes, Small western Green Drake and others of far less importance.
In the caddisfly lineup you will find several different species called Spotted Sedges as well as Green Sedges. There are also Short-horned Sedges, Little Sister caddis and October Caddis that can be very important. Most of the other species are not so abundant. The population is very diverse.
Stoneflies are very plentiful and they include the huge Salmonflies, Golden Stoneflies and Little Yellow Stoneflies. All three of these are plentiful and very important especially during a hatch. .
During the summer you will find imitations of Carpenter ants, Japanese beetles and various size and colors of hoppers work well.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies for The Flathead River
Montana
Fly Line:
We recommend fly lines ranging from a 5 weight for dries to a six weight for nymphing and
streamers.
Leaders:
You should have leaders ranging from a 9 foot tapered leader to a 12 foot in sizes from 0X
for streamers up to a 7X for midges and tiny flies. You may want some shorter streamer
leaders.
Tippet:
Carry tippet ranging in sizes from 0x to 7X.
Fly Rod:
The fly rod for the 5 weight line should be nine feet long to assist in casting in the wind
normal for the Flathead River, in a medium fast action. The six weight should be nine feet
long in a medium fast action with a stiffer tip for nymphing.
Fly Reel:
Reels for the lines sizes you choose to use in the 5 and 6 weight line size should be light
and have good drags.
Waders:
Waders are definitely recommended. We prefer the breathable type but neoprene may be
better in cold weather.
Wading Boots:
Felt soled wading boots are our choice.
Landing Net:
A landing net is recommended, but not a requirement.
Trout Flies:
Our “Perfect Flies” are the best ones you could possibly use for fly fishing the Flathead
River. We have flies to match every terrestrial and aquatic insect in all stages of life. If you
haven’t done so already, please give them a try. You will be glad you did. Having good
imitations of the insects the trout see day in and day out is a big advantage.
Flathead River (Main Stem) Fishing Report:
02/27/2020 Remember, the main stem of the Flathead has a catch and release section that is open. Send us an email and let us help you with that next fly fishing trip. end us an email at: sales@perfectflystore.com.
04/19/20 It is getting near the time the season opens but the catch and release section is
currently open. The water is still very cold with lots of bank and some shelf ice but should start warming up fast this coming week.
05/30/20 The river is flowing very high due to spring runoff. Fish as soon as the levels get
back down. Now is the time to get your gear and flies ready for the upcoming good conditions. Send us an email and let us help you do that.
07/18/20 Stream levels are down a lot but still too high to fish very good. I recommend waiting a little later on. Write or call us with the dates you plan to fish and we will help you with fly selections.
08/01/20 The stream levels are near nomal and the river in good shape. We are getting good reports from customers.
08/19/20 We continue to get good reports from customers. There are lots of hatches including PMDs, Western Ginger Quills, spotted sedge caddis, green sedge caddis, little Yellow stoneflies and others. Terrestrials are also working.
09/15/20 The river is in good shape in all respects and we are getting some good reports from customers. There are lots of insects hatching. 02/18/21 Season is closed: Shoot us an email and let us help you plan that next trip. sales@perfectflystore.com
06/11/21 The season is open. We still haven’t received any reports but expect some soon. Stream levels have been high. Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.