That spring activity forces fish to burn severely limited energy reserves and some of them wither. From there we float the approximately 50 miles out over the course of 4 – 5 days. the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. This information is a basic run-down of the hatch schedule for the Flathead River. As it winds its way through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, surrounding Glacier National Park, the fishing is a dream that goes perfectly with the view. Anglers absolutely love wade fishing this upper reach. Horses and mules transport us, our boats and gear 20 to 26 miles (depending upon which trail we take in and the itinerary). Beginning in the Canadian Rockies north of Glacier National Park, the Flathead flows south through northwestern Montana into Flathead … Lincoln, MT 59639 The Flathead River system is a unique fishery located around Glacier National Park and is made up of three forks which eventually drain into Flathead Lake. The price is the same for a 5 or 6 day trip you can decide which is best for you. Due to the cold, clear, low nutrient water, fly fishing in the North Fork Flathead River can be spotty. The Flathead River can fish well all year, but our summer months are best for dry fly fishing. … Through the summer and fall, you can stay at our camp that is within a minutes’ walk of … Bull trout are known to grow up to 36” in this fishery, so if you are looking to catch that fish of a lifetime, you have come to the right place. Placid, trusting mule deer wander into camp, feeding on meadow grass and wildflowers. Each trip may take a different route in, but all will end the same place, which is nearest to Kalispell. The South Fork emerges from the renowned Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex flowing into the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Or, you could have horses pack a raft into wilderness and float out. When you go on a South Fork Flathead River Fly Fishing Trip, you will fly into either Missoula, Kalispell or Great Falls, depending upon which trailhead we begin the trip from. Focus on the riffles, seams and pools. As it winds its way through some of the most beautiful scenery in the country, surrounding Glacier National Park, the fishing is a dream that goes perfectly with the view. The South Fork emerges from the renowned Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex flowing into the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Fishing the North Fork Flathead River. Messages 202 Reaction score 5 Location Tucson, AZ winter, Durango,CO summer. The river opens for fishing on the third Saturday of May until 30 November. After 60 miles it is gobbled up by the Hungry Horse Reservoir and then flows for another 5 miles into the town of Hungry Horse, Montana. South Fork Flathead River info? Aug 27, 2016 #1 Each August , for the past 4 years , my wife and I have ridden 20 miles into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to fish for cutts. There is lot’s more you need to know about a South Fork Trip, so please call today for more information! These days, most of the South Fork’s cutthroat descend the river and spend winter in Hungry Horse reservoir, a 35-mile long impoundment that separates the upper South Fork from its lower five miles. One of the best Big Sky Country trips you could take is to the South Fork Flathead River in northwest Montana. Salmon Forks is one of the few places to legally target native bull trout. Our ultimate printable guide to South Fork Flathead River fly fishing in Montana has a fly fishing river description, maps, lodging recommendations and contact information. Through the South Fork’s wilderness stretch, anglers are allowed three trout a day, none stretching longer than 12 inches, a limit that ensures good fishing in the future, but not necessarily the fishing of the past. During spring those fish move out of Hungry Horse reservoir and into the free-flowing river where they seek relief from high, muddy water and extremely fast flows. In addition, high flows signal a time for mature fish to push upriver and negotiate roily tributary streams, places where they find mates and pea-sized gravel conducive to their spawning effort. The Flathead River is a crystal clear, clean, cold river inhabited by native … During July, the South Fork is one of the only rivers in America … Facebook . Typically they hold behind boulders and downed logs, or in sidechannels where the current is manageable. While you wash off the trail dust, have a drink and relax or go fishing, the crew sets up camp and gets dinner going. Thinking about a trip there next summer with my wife. At that time the river warms and hatches of stoneflies, caddisflies, mayflies and terrestrial insects, such as ants, beetles and moths occur. With stunning 360 degrees views, this river a top notch destination. Loaded with native westslope cutthroat, the South Fork is as good as dry-fly fishing gets. This 5 or 6-day fishing excursion is a once in a lifetime opportunity to fish the famous South Fork Flathead River drainage. Shaggy-maned mountain goats dance across granite cliffs, snubbing their snouts at gravity. In fact, the South Fork’s trout are mostly modest specimens ranging between six and 14 inches, but 16-inchers are taken with regularity and 17-to 20-inch fish are occasionally landed. The river also offers bull trout, which can range past 30 inches, and you can legally fish … At least three lodges are located outside the wilderness on the lower South Fork and when hiking into the South Fork drainage anglers should expect to encounter private and commercial packtrains, likely several a day. Despite my enthusiasm, some anglers say the South Fork isn’t anything like it used to be, that it’s declined to a point that doesn’t merit their time.