Clark Fork River Lodge – Montana

The Clark Fork

The Clark Fork River, originating from the confluence of Basin and Blacktail Creeks in southwestern Montana near Butte, offers an exceptional fly fishing experience amid stunning landscapes. As it winds its way through the region, the river is fed by numerous streams and joins with the Bitterroot River near Missoula and the Flathead River near Plains, creating a rich and diverse ecosystem for fish and anglers alike. Historically, the river’s headwaters faced environmental challenges due to toxic metals from nearby mining activities. However, extensive remediation efforts have transformed the area, and the once-polluted waters are now thriving, attracting anglers from all over.

Today, the Clark Fork River is renowned for its healthy populations of rainbow, brown, and native Westslope Cutthroat Trout. The river’s recovery has made it a prime location for fly fishing where anglers can enjoy both solitude and the thrill of catching these prized fish. Whether you’re drifting down the river or wading in its shallower stretches, the Clark Fork offers a rejuvenated and rewarding fishing experience, set against the backdrop of Montana’s mountains.

Missouri River

The Missouri River, stretching over 700 miles across Montana, is a prime destination for fly fishing, particularly during runoff periods when its tailwaters remain clear and predictable. Flowing from Holter Dam to Pelican Point, the Missouri offers calm floating conditions, allowing anglers to fully focus on their fly fishing. The river is often compared to a gigantic spring creek, with acrobatic rainbow trout, massive brown trout, and stunning backdrops that create a unique and memorable fly fishing experience.

Renowned for its high fish per mile count—around 8,000 fish per mile—the Missouri River is a true Montana trout fishing mecca. Anglers can expect to catch impressive rainbow and brown trout, with an average size ranging from 16 to 24 inches. The river is famous for its exceptional dry fly fishing, and the opportunity to land a trophy brown trout is well within reach for any angler. If you enjoy casting to rising trout in breathtaking surroundings, the Missouri River is the perfect destination.

Blackfoot River

The Blackfoot River, known as “The Big Blackfoot,” meanders over 130 miles from the Continental Divide near Lincoln to its confluence with the Clark Fork River near Bonner. Shaped by the Missoula Floods at the end of the last ice age, the river’s terrain includes dramatic box canyons, lush forestland, and boulder-strewn mountains. Its stunning scenery—featuring towering ponderosa pines, moss-covered cliffs, and clear emerald pools—makes it a fly fisher’s paradise.

The Blackfoot’s cold, clean waters support a diverse range of trout species, including native Westslope Cutthroat, wild Rainbows, Bull Trout, Browns, and Brook Trout. The river is one of the few in Montana with native Bull Trout, indicating its pristine water quality. Fishing is excellent from April through October, with prolific dry fly hatches and the chance to catch all five trout species in a single day. Anglers often experience 30 or more fish rising on the fly during a typical float, making the Blackfoot an unparalleled fishing destination.

Rock Creek

Rock Creek is a fly fisher’s paradise, offering around 50 miles of blue-ribbon water that winds through Granite and Missoula counties, making it the most significant tributary of the Upper Clark Fork River. Originating in the National Forest near Philipsburg, Montana, Rock Creek flows into the Clark Fork River about seven miles east of Clinton, MT. The creek is bordered by National Forest for much of its course, providing anglers with access to deep holding pools, extensive riffles, serene rock gardens, undercut banks, fast runs, and a stretch of whitewater.

Rich in wildlife, Rock Creek’s rocky bluffs and green pastures are home to Bighorn sheep, moose, bears, and the world’s largest marmots. With an average of 2,200 trout per mile, this freestone stream is teeming with cutthroat, rainbows, cutbows, browns, and even the elusive Bull Trout. The prolific insect life ensures that the fish are always feeding, making Rock Creek a gem for fly fishing enthusiasts. This outfitter holds 50% of the special use permits for outfitting on Rock Creek, granted by the Lolo National Forest Service. The float season runs through the end of June, after which walk and wade trips are available.

The Guides

The guides on this experience are expert fly fishing guides and are unmatched in their knowledge of Montana’s rivers, fly fishing techniques, equipment, and local conditions. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned angler, the guides are dedicated to tailoring the experience to your skill level, teaching you effective techniques, and leading you to the most productive spots on the river.