Thompson River Montana Fishing Report & Options for Selecting Flies: 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 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
Species
Rainbow Trout
Cutthroat Trout
Brook Trout
Whitefish
Size
Small to Medium
Location
Northwestern Montana
Nearest Towns
Thompson Falls Montana
Season
3rd Sat. May – Nov 30th
Access:
Access is very good
Non-Resident License
State of Montana
Weather
National Weather Service Link
USGS Stream Flow Data:
Below Thompson Falls
Seasons:
Fly fishing the Thompson River follows the Montana general trout season regulations.
Spring:
Springtime is a good time. Even the runoff has little effect on it. Hatches are very plentiful.
Summer:
Summertime is a good time to fish the river.
Fall:
Early Fall can also provide some good fly fishing opportunities.
Recommended Tackle & Gear
Fly Line:
4, 5 or 6 weight
Leaders:
Dry fly: 9 to 12 ft., 5 or 6X Nymphing:
71/2 ft., 3 or 4X, Streamers 0-2X
Tippets:
Dry fly: 5 or 6X, Nymphing: 3 or 4X,
Streamer 0-2X
Best Fly Rods:
Perfect Fly Supreme Four, Superb Five
or Ultimate Six
Fly Reels:
For 4/5/6 fly line
Fly Floatants and Misc Items:
Floatants, KISS Strike Indicators
Tools & Accessories:
Nippers, forceps, retractors, etc.
Copyright 2016 James Marsh
Fly Fishing The Thompson River in Montana
The Thompson River is 55 mile long tributary of the lower Clarke Fork River in Northwestern Montana. It originates from Upper Thompson Lake but within a relatively short distance, flows through the Middle Thompson and Lower Thompson Lakes. Most of the land along the Thompson River is owned by private timber companies. The lower section flows through the Lolo National Forest.
The Thompson River is a rather small stream below Lower Thompson Lake. Tributary streams along the way add to the flow enough that it can be fished from a small pontoon type drift boat or canoe in its upper section. There are some riffles, runs and fast water sections in the lower part of the river.
The entire river can be waded except on high water. The river stays very clear in spite of heavy logging in the area. The flows are generally moderate to slow. Fly fishing the Thompson River is a very pleasurable experience.
The river has a good population of trout, consisting mostly of brook, cutthroat and rainbow trout. There are plenty of whitefish and even some Bull trout in the mix.
The thing that’s unique about fly fishing the Thompson River is the fact that even though it flows through very remote land, access is very easy. Roads follow along most of the river.
Dry fly fishing on the Thompson River can be great at times. Its smooth flows give the trout plenty of opportunity to see your flies, so good imitations and presentations are often a must. There are lots of different species of aquatic insects including mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies. Terrestrial insects are also important as well as Sculpin and other baitfish.
Better logging practices and fishery management regulations have improved the stream over what it once was. The Thompson River is well on its way to becoming another of Montana’s great trout streams.