south fork flathead river fishing

The South Fork of the Flathead River is a different beast. Long before I had a bucket list and two pack donkeys, I yearned to hike up the South Fork of the Flathead River. The three forks converge near Columbia Falls, Montana and become the main stem of the Flathead River. Fishing the South Fork Flathead below Cedar Flats A few miles down the river we came to a great campsite. The area where the Middle Fork runs into the North Fork makes up the largest portion of the river, and this is usually the area many people are referring to when they talk of fishing the Flathead. Our cutthroat trout are genetically pure and they love dry flies! Boats and supplies are generally packed in on mules or horses over mountain passes to … We navigate these waters using rafts with custom built fishing frames instead of the traditional drift boat. The river opens for fishing on the third Saturday of May until 30 November. The Bob has been on my radar for years, because inside The Bob is one of the greatest multi-day float trips in America: the South Fork of the Flathead River. Your guide will provide the perfect selection, from big foam stoneflies to ants and hoppers! The wilderness mountain settings, clear waters, campfires, wilderness lakes and streams, and superb fishing will wash away worldly cares. The South Fork of the Snake is the lodge’s home river, and there are approximately 65 miles of river from Palisades Reservoir to the confluence with the Henry’s Fork. Among fly fishermen, it is revered as a place of technical, yet rewarding fishing, and offers a plethora of opportunities to catch quality fish in beautiful settings. The Flathead is unique because it remains one of the few primarily native Westslope Cutthroat Trout fisheries left. 0:33. Many sections of the Middle Fork of the Flathead are comprised of canyons as well as class II-III whitewater. It was earlier than our usual stopping time, but it was a dynamite camp so we stopped. BWOs – #16-20 (pale olive body grey wing) Dry Fly – Para Adams, Para Haze, Sparkle, Dun, Marabou Cripple 2. Especially toward the end of the trip, going into Meadow Creek Gorge. It is very scenic. The river is a dry-fly mecca, and it’s one of the few places in America where you can legally target bull trout. There are 3 main reasons for this as I see it: 1. The South Platte River Drainage is one of the most famous and prolific stretches of water in the United States. Quick video I made of my whirlwind 3 night solo backpacking trip to the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Western Montana. Due to the cold, clear, low nutrient water, fly fishing in the North Fork Flathead River can be spotty. Montana is legendary for its outstanding fly fishing and the waters fished by Glacier Anglers are no exception. A number of other smaller portages on Young's creek. Find out where the action is, what the water conditions are and everything you need for a successful day on the water! Current fly fishing reports and conditions for North Fork of the Flathead River in Montana! The ride in is 6-8 hours so at least two of the days will be devoted to riding on horseback. The South Fork of the Flathead River is pristine and virtually untouched, just the way it was 100 years ago. There are some parts of the Middle, North, and South Fork Flathead River areas, which are part of government lands, so Montana Fishing Guides does not offer trips in those areas. A Trip Down the South Fork of the Flathead From the Young's and Danaher Creek Confluence to Meadow Creek Gorge July, 2015 Click on any image for a larger view; Contact garya at this domain if you would like the high quality image for printing . To access the road section above the reservoir, you still have several hours of dirt road just to get there. The deep green water and the canyons make for some great pictures. The South Fork of the Flathead river originates at the confluence of Danaher Meadows and Young’s creek in the Bob, flows north for its first unimpeded 40 miles through the heart of the Bob between the Continental Divide on the east and the Swan Range on the west. Most common fish species. It has plenty of good size cutthroat and rainbow trout along with some grayling and some fully protected bull trout. Years of guiding in western Montana during the summers provided me with great exposure to Montana's fabled waters, but the idea of fishing for pure strain westslope cutthroats in the heart of the Bob Marshall Complex nagged at me right into retirement. Midges #16-20 (Black & Green body, white wing) Dry Fly – Griffiths Gnat, Poly wing midge, purple haze Nymph – Brassie, Green machine, shop vac. The South Fork emerges from the renowned Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex flowing into the Hungry Horse Reservoir. The “Upper” South Fork starts at Palisades Dam and ends at the Conant Valley boat access. The South Fork of the Flathead, located in the heart of the Bob Marshall Wilderness, is a horsepack in/float out trip of 5-7 days, putting you over feisty Cutthroats to 22″ and “Bull Trout” to 15 pounds. To fish the upper reaches of the South Fork of the Flathead River, youll need to hike or horseback your way in for several days. Fishing seasons . 65 miles from the origin to Hungry Reservoir and almost all of it flows through remote wilderness. The South Fork is the favorite of the Flatheads. The South Fork of the Flathead begins deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness at the confluence of Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek. Get the latest up to date fly fishing report for Trout fishing in North Fork of the Flathead River with the top producing flies and recommended equipment to get you into fish. The entire river is made up of three portions, the North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork. The South Fork of the Flathead in Montana is perhaps the most popular packraft rivers in the lower-48. It is also very remote. 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. Fishing the North Fork Flathead River. Montana’s Flathead River flows through the pristine, densely forested Bob Marshall Wilderness, the one-million acre chunk of protected turf that offers perhaps some of the best western fly-fishing in these United States. Anna fishing the South Fork Flathead River, Montana - Duration: 0:33. Fly fishing the South Fork of the Flathead River should remain a favorite for the explorer type of angler for a long time. The South Fork Acclaimed as one of Montana’s most pristine and remote rivers, the Wild and Scenic South Fork of the Flathead River originates in the south end of the flows northward to Hungry Horse Reservoir. TheRuthless2009 73 views. Montana's South Fork of the Flathead River: Information provided by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks: The South Fork Flathead River originates at the confluence of Danaher and Youngs creeks in the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area and flows north, unimpeded for over half its length. Flathead River Fly Fishing Patterns. Oh, and the fishing … 2 log jams on the South Fork. It begins deep in the Bob Marshall and, ultimately, flows more than 40 miles through wilderness designation and another 20 miles through National Forest Service lands before losing itself to Hungry Horse Reservoir. The South Fork, which is located east of Flathead Lake, is one of three major forks of the mainstem Flathead River. The "Notch" in Meadow Creek gorge, South Fork of the Flathead River, Montana - … The lower mainstem Flathead River drains from the southwest corner of the lake and draws waters from an arid valley basin throughout its 75-mile course. About 20 miles into its journey, after flowing down the gentle, south-sloping gradient of the Flathead Basin floor, the river empties into Flathead Lake. Amazing river, I plan on many return trips in the future. July, 2009. Glacier Anglers offers day trips, overnight float trips on the North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River, and multi-day backcountry trips into the Great Bear Wilderness to fish the acclaimed upper Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Fishing Reports, South Fork The river helps the BWO and mahogany dun activity by having a near constant flow ( 6050 cfs at Irwin, 6700 cfs at Heise, 3550 cfs at Lorenzo) of clear, cool water for several days, but it looks like a drop in flow out of Palisades is coming up. Wayne and I had gotten into the rhythm of Young's Creek, and had enjoyed fishing our way down it. Let us show you the beauty of the Bob Marshall Wilderness through one of our scenic horse-back wilderness pack trips, amaze you with blue ribbon trout fishing on the incredible South Fork of the Flathead River, Big Salmon Lake, Big Salmon Creek, White River, Youngs Creek, Danaher Creek, and many off-the-beaten-path lakes and streams. It gains volume with the contributions of the White River, Big and Little Salmon creeks, Black Bear Creek, and other small tributaries. South Fork of the Flathead River Long before I had a bucket list and two pack donkeys, I yearned to hike up the South Fork of the Flathead River. "Brown Stain" rapid just upstream from final takeout is running strong pushing hard into a small gap in the rock- tipped some rafters The South Fork of the Flathead in Montana is perhaps the best packraft river in the lower-48. This 5 or 6-day fishing excursion is a once in a lifetime opportunity to fish the famous South Fork Flathead River drainage. The river starts near the center of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area. All fish in the South Fork of the Flathead River are wild as the river is not stocked with hatchery fish. Southeast of Columbia Falls, the South Fork of the Flathead River is known as one of the best rivers in the Rockies for wild cutthroats. The headwaters of the North Fork of the Flathead originate in Canada and flow south into the United States. During the summer months, numerous smaller cutthroats in the 8-12 inch range cruise the river. Every mile offers excellent trout fishing. The price is the same for a 5 or 6 day trip you can decide which is best for you. Custom built fishing frames instead of the Flathead River of three portions, North. 6-Day fishing excursion is a different beast Fork Flathead River is a different beast miles from origin. 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