Kelly Islandon Clark Fork River
October Caddis are actively hatching
- 01October Caddis are actively hatching, offering significant dry fly action.
- 02Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) are beginning their fall emergence, particularly on overcast afternoons.
- 03Mahogany Duns are also making a crucial fall appearance.
- 04Terrestrial patterns like Hoppers and Chernobyl Ants can still be effective for opportunistic feeders.
- 05Subsurface nymphing with patterns like the Flashback Pheasant Tail and streamer fishing with Pine Squirrel Leeches will be productive as water cools.
What to tie on at Kelly Island
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Yellow Sally
Yellow Sally stoneflies are abundant along freestone streams in summer, providing a consistent dry fly opportunity for trout on the Clark Fork River.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are beginning their prolific fall hatches, and the low-profile Comparadun is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults in softer water.
Buy at AmazonHopper
Terrestrial activity, particularly with grasshoppers, remains strong along the banks, making this an effective attractor for opportunistic feeders looking for a substantial meal.
Chernobyl Ant
Larger terrestrial patterns like the Chernobyl Ant continue to entice aggressive strikes, especially for cutthroat and opportunistic trout seeking substantial surface food.
Buy at AmazonPurple Haze fly
This versatile attractor dry fly continues to be effective in fall, especially when fish are looking up and no specific hatch is obvious.
Mahogany Dun
Mahogany Duns are starting to hatch, offering another excellent dry fly opportunity for opportunistic trout.
Buy at AmazonBeetle (Crowe)
Beetles are commonly dislodged from streamside vegetation in summer, providing opportunistic trout on the Clark Fork River with a substantial meal.
Buy at AmazonOctober Caddis
October Caddis are actively hatching across the region in early fall, and fish are keying into these large, visible dry flies.
Flashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph for early spring, mimicking various mayfly nymphs that are active year-round and particularly as BWOs begin to emerge.
Montana season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Fly shops nearby
Local flies, current advice and guided trips.