04/03/23 North Fork Flathead River Fishing
Report:
(see bottom of page)
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
Species
Rainbow Trout
Cutthroat
Bull Trout (must be released)
Location
Northwestern Montana
Size:
Large, about 153 miles long
Nearest Towns
West Glacier, Montana
Season
3rd Sat of May through Nov 30th.
Access:
Very Good
Non-Resident License
State of Montana
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream Flow Data:
Near Columbia Falls
Seasons:
Seasons follow the general Montana fishing season.
Spring:
Late springtime has some fishing opportunities except during runoff.
Summer:
The Summer would be best time for fly fishing the North Fork Flathead.
Fall:
Early Fall can be good.
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 -North Fork Flathead River Montana
Before we get started, understanding the Flathead River and its three forks can be a little confusing for those that are not familiar with it. There are three other Flathead Rivers that are completely separate rivers even though they are connected together. They are the Middle 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. Make sure you are reading about the one you plan to fish.
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 North Fork Flathead River flows from British Columbia, Canada, for a length of about 45 miles south into the Montana where it helps form the Main Stem of the Flathead River. It’s overall length is 153 miles. Its section that lies in the U. S. is a designated National Wild and Scenic River. It forms the western boundary of Glacier National Park. It is a true wilderness river. It’s also a very wide and cold river, fed mostly by melting snow. Fly fishing the North Fork Flathead River is a real adventure. It winds through beautiful mountains with great views of the Glacier National Park.
The river has rainbow and cutthroat trout, the majority of which are smaller sizes, but they are plentiful and fairly easy to catch. The river also host some big Bull Trout but they should be released unharmed. The river has little to no pressure from anglers. Access is easy and plentiful. The North Fork Road follows fairly close to the river for a majority of its length in the Montana.
Fly fishing the North Fork Flathead River is best done from a drift boat. There are plenty of access points along the way and unless the water is very high, the river usually provides a relatively easy float through some of the most gorgeous scenery you will find anywhere. It can also be fished by wading in many places. It is just that you can cover a lot more water by drifting the river.
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
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.
07/09/21 We still do not have any reports but we do know we have customers fishing this section. We should be getting some reports soon.
07/19/21 We received two good reports from customers fishing the river this past few days. We should continue to get more as conditions are fairly good.
07/27/21 We continue to get good reports from customers on this one. Good hatches and good numbers of trout are being caught.
08/21/21 We received three good reports from customers recently. The stream is up some and will likely come on up. There is rain forecast the next few days. There are good hatches taking place.
09/03/21 We only received one good report from a three man group of customers fishing this past week but they were very satisfied with the results although conditions were not perfect. Good hatches are occurring.
09/20/21 The stream is in good shape. We didn’t receive any reports this past week but we do know we have some customers currently fishing it.
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 flowing near a normal level in good shape. There are good hatches taking place. Let us hear from you.
04/03/23 To update the site.
Email us at (sales@perfectflystore.com) with the dates you will be fishing and we will send you a list of our fly recommendations.