Lower Clark Fork River Fishing Report 8.24.17

Despite the continuing hot weather streak, the Clark Fork is fishing well. Water clarity is excellent, and water temperatures aren't too warm. Air temperatures are in the low 80s, but the strong, consistent 10 to15 mph breeze makes that 80 feel like 65.

I got out yesterday and it was blue skies and sunny for the most part. A few clouds made an appearance around 1 p.m. and graciously dropped about 15 raindrops. I appreciate the weather trying to keep me on the water, but I wouldn't mind a good rainstorm. Even though the wind was doing its best to send me home empty-handed, I still managed to find a few chunky trout willing to eat my flies.

It took me a couple hours to figure out what the trout were looking for. I threw big purple dries, small red nymphs, and every stage of caddis into the river. I even swung my trusty olive Woolly Bugger, but didn’t get a grab to show for it. I hooked a couple beautiful browns on a #12 red Copper John, and a spunky cutty on a #12 purple Rocky Mountain Mint. It wasn't until I tied on a #16 Parachute PMD that I really started hooking trout. Once I cracked the code, fishing was easy. Every fish that consistently rose, was willing to eat. There was great Trico activity between 8:30 and9:30 a.m., but nothing feeding on them. I was greatly disappointed to see the Tricos go nuts, and not a single fish on the surface. It wasn't until the Tricos completely stopped, and the larger mayflies came out, that got the trout to cooperate. Once the mayflies started, the trout steadily fed throughout the day.

If you are out of any of those flies, then this is the link for you.

Although you don't need an army of flies to tackle these trout, there are a few key patterns you should grab before hitting the river. Be sure to have #16 Parachute PMD, #14 purple Rocky Mountain Mint, #16 Parachute Adams, #14 Light Cahill, and #14 Party on Top Caddis. If those flies don't get the job done, it’s not the fishes fault.