Middle Fork Flathead River Fishing Report
(see bottom of page) 04/03/23
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery: We can get flies 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. Please see the bottom of this column for ordering options.
We have custom Perfect Fly selections in 3 different price ranges for this stream that come with or without fly boxes that 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
Cutthroat
Bull Trout (must be released)
Mountain Whitefish
Location
Northwestern Montana
Size:
Small to large, about 92 miles long
Nearest Towns
West Glacier
Pinnacle
Essex
Nimrod
Season
3rd Sat of May through Nov 30th.
Access:
Ranges from difficult to easy
Non-Resident License
State of Montana
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream Flow Data:
Near West Glacier
Seasons:
Seasons follow the general Montana fishing season.
Spring:
Late springtime has decent fishing opportunities.
Summer:
Summer time is the best time for fly fishing the Middle Fork Flathead River..
Fall:
Early Fall presents some good opportunities.
Fly and Gear ordering and delivery:
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.
Copyright 2013 James Marsh
Fly Fishing Report – The Middle Fork Flathead
River Montana
Before we get started, please note that understanding how the Flathead River system is made up can be a little confusing for those that are not familiar with it. This is about the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. There are three other Flathead Rivers that are completely separate rivers. They are the North and South Forks of the Flathead River and the Main Stem which is just called the Flathead River. Each of these three other 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. Fly fishing the Middle Fork Flathead River ranges from easy to very difficult, depending on the section you choose to fish.
The Middle Fork Flathead River is a 92 mile long river part of which forms the Southwestern boundary of Glacier National Park. Its drains an area east of the South Fork Flathead River. The Middle Fork Flathead River starts in the Bob Marshall Wilderness at the confluence of Strawberry Creek and Bowl Creek. It receives some small tributaries along its way including some from the Glacier National Park.
The Wilderness section of the river is very remote and it is a very fast flowing river known for its whitewater. To reach it requires a long hike or horseback ride. This section is about 25 miles long. Fly fishing the Middle Fork Flathead River in this section is more of an adventure than anything. The fishing opportunities are good but not spectacular. The water stays very cold from melting snow.
The wilderness section contains plenty of cutthroats up to 16 inches but again, requires a long hike or horseback trip. Outfitters are available for trips into this section of the river.
Access to the Middle Fork Flathead River near Essex is good. The river parallels U.S. Highway #2. The river flows for several miles through a twisting, narrow area but as it reaches an open valley at a lower elevations it begins to spread out and become braided in places. Downstream below the valley it again flows through a canyon like area. It finally meets the North Fork of the
Flathead River to form the main stem.
Middle Fork Flathead River Hatches and Trout
Flies:
The Middle Fork Flathead River is a cold river. Compared to other Montana trout streams nd even other Flathead River sections, it takes a good while to warm up and consequently, the hatches usually run later. Some anglers think the fly isn’t important because it is possible to catch the trout on various generic and attractor flies. We sell all of them at Perfect Fly but to not mislead you, it is important to understand you will always do much better if you imitate the most plentiful and available trout food at the place and time your fishing.
We have studied the insects in the Middle Fork and have taken samples of the larvae at various times. We have developed hatch charts we use to help customers select flies for their trips to the Flathead. It is important to know the species of insects vary from the freestone sections and tailwater. Streamers and midges are king in the tailwaters but there are other insects.
The two most important mayflies by far are the Blue-winded olives and Pale Morning Duns. Several different species are called BWO and they range from a hook size 20 to 16. Both the mayflies hatch over a long period of time. Others species include Green Drakes,
Small Western Green Drakes called Flavs, Pink Ladies or Yellow quills, Gray Drakes and others including the little Tricos (white winged curse) in some areas. Caddisflies consist mostly of various species of Spotted Sedges, Little Sister caddis and Green Sedges. There are a lot of the little Short-horned sedges, as well as October Caddis for a short time in the fall. There are other species of less importance. Stoneflies are very plentiful and include the huge Salmonflies. Golden Stoneflies and Little Yellow stoneflies. All three of these are very important insects to imitate, especially during a hatch. During the hot months you will find imitations of the Japanese Beetle, Black Carpenter ants and various sizes of Grasshoppers work well. Midges are everywhere year-round but most important in the tailwaters. Sculpin are by far the most plentiful species of fish the trout eat.
Fly Fishing Gear, Tackle and Trout Flies for The North Fork Of The Flathead River Montana
Fly Line:
We recommend fly lines ranging from a 5 weight for dry flies to a six weight for nymphs 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 North Fork 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 North Fork
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.
North Fork Flathead River Fishing Report:
92/26/2020 The season is still closed but let us help you plan your next trip there: Send us an email at: sales@perfectflystore.com.
05/30/20 The river is very high and highly stained from Spring runoff. Now is the time to get your gear and flies ready for the upcoming good opportunity. Shoot us an email and let us help you.
07/18/20 Stream levels are down to where it can be fished but will be better when it gets a little lower. We haven’t received any reports as of today.
08/01/20 The stream level is down and the river in good shape. Good hatches are taking
place.
08/19/20 We are getting a few good reports from customers fishing various sections of the river. Hatches include Pale Morning Duns, Pale Evening duns, Golden stoneflies, Little Yellow stoneflies and Spotted sedges and other insects.
03/18/21 Season is closed: Shoot us an email and let us help you plan that next trip.
sales@perfectflystore.com
Middle Fork Flathead River Fishing Report:
02/26/2020 The season is still closed but it is not too early to plan that next trip. Let us help you. Send us an email at: sales@perfectflystore.com.
05/30/20 The stream levels are currently very high due to spring runoff. Now is the time to get ready for the upcoming good conditions. Shoot us an email and let us help you with a gear and fly list.
07/18/20 The stream levels are normal for this time of the season but it is still a little too high to wade most places. It should be down in great shape very soon. There are multiple hatches taking place.
08/01/20 The river is in good shape with good stream levels and good hatches taking place.
08/19/20 Our customers are catching a lot of trout mostly cutthroats. There are still a lot of hatches taking place. They depend greatly on the section of the river being fished. Send us an email with the dates you are fishing and we will send a list of recommended flies.
03/18/21 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.
07/09/21 We received one good report from a customer this past week. Stream levels are down well below normal levels for this time of the season but normal levels for this time of the season are usually high.
07/27/21 We haven’t received a fishing report from anyone the past week. The stream level is low and there are good hatches taking place on the lower end of it.
08/21/21 The stream is still low but on the rise. There is some rain in the forecast. We received one good report recently from a customer. There are good hatches.
09/03/21 We received some very good reports from customers fishing this past week. Stream levels are low but okay. There are multiple hatches taking place.
09/20/21 Stream levels are up to normal thanks to recent rain and the river in good shape. Good hatches continue to take place.
06/24/22 Runoff conditions exist. It won’t be long so now is the time to get your flies and gear together.
08/07/22 The stream is in good shape with good hatches taking place. Let us hear from you.
08/19/22 The river is in good shape flowing near a normal level. We received two good reports from customers fishing it this past week.
04/03/23 We are updating the stream report.
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.