Montana Fly Fishing
Fly Fishing The Flathead
Experience Montana fly fishing at its finest with Glacier National
Park, the Bob Marshall Wilderness and National Forests as breathtaking
backdrops, the Flathead River system of northwestern Montana
offers memorable fishing opportunities. From
sites of easy access to those of remote wilderness, the Flathead
waters can provide a diverse fishing experience. Three main branches,
the North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork eventually come together
to form the main stem of the Flathead River that flows into the
28 mile long Flathead lake. Access to the three forks
and the main Flathead is readily available in places, but to
effectively fish the best of the Flathead, floating is suggested. The
hardest thing about fly fishing this part of northwestern Montana
is keeping your eye on your fly and not the spectacular scenery.
The Fish
Westslope cutthroat trout are the predominant fish species. These
indigenous trout have adapted well to the cold, glacially fed
Flathead waters. Because of their cooperative nature,
cutthroats are just plain fun to catch. It is easy to become
fond of this native species. Rainbow trout numbers have
increased dramatically and provide the power and energy this
species is known for. Area waters also provide fishing
opportunities for grayling, brook trout, lake trout, perch, pike,
bass and whitefish. The Flathead system is one of the last
strongholds for bull trout. Many an angler, while reeling
in a cutthroat, has had a large bull trout come up and take possession
of the cutthroat. That’s when the real fun begins.
The Insects/Flies
Because of the clear, cold characteristics of the Flathead waters,
insect hatches are not as prolific as those found on other rivers. Nevertheless,
specific hatches do occur, and if hit just right, provide a bonus. Green
drakes appear in July, and caddis all summer. But generally
speaking, Flathead fish are opportunists. This is dry
fly country and the bigger the fly the better! Refer to
the hatch chart for additional information.
Equipment
Fly fishing the Flathead is best done with a four-, five- or
six-weight fly rod. A standard nine-foot 4X or 5X leader
will work fine. Waders are essential prior to July and
after August, but during the heat of the summer, many anglers “wet
wade” in shorts and their wading boots. Because
of these freestone waters, felt-soled wading boots are highly
suggested
Seasons
Dry fly enthusiasts will be in heaven during the months of July,
August and September. Your best weather is during these
months, though it’s always good insurance to bring cool
and wet weather gear at any time of the year. Spring run-off
can vary, but typically occurs at its heaviest during June. From
ice-out until the rivers clear, lake fishing opportunities abound. Because
of the sheer number of river miles and the many valley and high
country lakes, crowding is not a concern. This is definitely
a place to get away from it all.
Information courtesy of Lakestream Fly Fishing Shop http://lakestream.com/
Fishing brochure
Fishing in the Flathead National Forest www.fs.fed.us/r1/flathead/fishing_site/fishing/index.htm
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