Access point

Clark Fork Campground Accesson Lightning Creek

Provides direct access to the lower creek sections near the campground.

Lightning Creek report Directions48.1187°N, 116.0315°W

Bite report · week of Oct 4

What's working on Lightning Creek

01Clear skies and moderate 54°F temperatures create fair fall fishing conditions on Lightning Creek.
02Expect active Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) and Pale Morning Dun (PMD) hatches, particularly during the warmest parts of clear afternoons.
03The substantial October Caddis hatch is also a strong possibility for surface activity.
04Trout may be keying into egg patterns due to potential local salmonid spawning activity.
05Focus on deeper pools, current seams, and slower runs with cover for holding fish and rising trout.

What to tie on at Clark Fork Campground Access

Picked from recent reports for this stretch.

dry80%

Mother's Day Caddis

#14#16#18

The prolific Mother's Day Caddis hatch is expected in late April through May in Western rivers, making this an essential dry fly to imitate adult caddis in spring flows.

dry80%

Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun

#18#20#22

Blue-Winged Olives begin their spring emergence in May, especially on overcast days. This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.

nymph80%

Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph

#14#16#18

An excellent general searching nymph year-round, mimicking various mayfly nymphs that are active in early spring, particularly as BWOs begin to emerge. The flashback adds an enticing trigger.

nymph80%

Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs

#4#6#8#10

Immature stoneflies are always present in river substrates. A weighted Pat's Rubber Legs is an excellent lead fly in a nymph rig to get smaller droppers down to fish in the typical high and cold spring flows.

Buy at Amazon

streamer80%

Pine Squirrel Leech (Olive)

#14#16

Small leech patterns effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cold, high water, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic trout in early spring. The natural fur movement is key.

dry80%

Glo Bug (Orange)

#14#16

Resident trout and char, including Rainbow Trout and Westslope Cutthroat, remain keyed into egg patterns year-round, particularly with the upcoming spring rainbow spawn.

nymph80%

Zebra Midge (Black)

#20#22#24

Midges are a primary active insect even in cold water, making this a staple year-round pattern for enticing finicky trout, particularly subsurface in slower runs.

streamer80%