Clark Fork River Fishing Report
Best Flies for July
Top patterns for the Clark Fork's biggest hatches this month — shop and add to cart.
The Clark Fork River is western Montana's largest river, flowing through the heart of Missoula and offering excellent fly fishing for wild rainbow and brown trout. With easy access from town and a variety of water types, the Clark Fork is a go-to river for both locals and visiting anglers. Conditions can change quickly with snowmelt and rain, so checking this report before heading out is always a good idea.
This Clark Fork River fly fishing report is updated regularly by our guides and staff to reflect current conditions, hatches, and techniques that are producing fish. Whether you're planning a wade trip or a float, this report will help you know what to expect on the water.
Last Updated: July 16, 2026
How's the Fishing?: 4/5
The Clark Fork river has been fishing good over the last few weeks. Western Montana was hit by a snowstorm in late june, followed by significant rain. This combo increased flows and gave us an extra pulse of water. The increase in flows has kept our water temps down and fishing remains good.
We're still seeing some goldens, yellow sallies and pmd's hatching. We are starting to transition into terrestrials, so load up on hoppers, ants and beetles for the coming weeks.
Keep an eye out on flows and water temps in the next few weeks. We've been lucky in Western Montana with good water so far this year compared to the rest of the state, but that can change with warmer weather patterns.
Gear Up for the Clark Fork
July Hatches on the Clark Fork River
July brings incredible dry fly fishing with a variety of hatches and terrestrials. Here are the top fly patterns to have in your box this month.
Important Resources
Fishing Reports for Other Rivers Near Missoula
Fish With The Best Fly Fishing Guides in Missoula Montana
