Milltown State Parkon Clark Fork River
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
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 Milltown State Park
Picked from recent reports for this stretch.
Woolly Bugger
A reliable year-round streamer, effective for imitating leeches and baitfish, excellent for enticing aggressive predatory trout in the Clark Fork River.
Buy at AmazonChernobyl 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 AmazonMahogany Dun
Mahogany Duns are starting to hatch, offering another excellent dry fly opportunity for opportunistic trout.
Buy at AmazonChubby Chernobyl
A productive attractor dry fly, imitating larger terrestrials or stoneflies, ideal for drawing aggressive strikes from opportunistic trout on the Clark Fork River during summer.
Hopper
Terrestrial activity, particularly with grasshoppers, remains strong along the banks, making this an effective attractor for opportunistic feeders looking for a substantial meal.
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.
Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
Year-round, especially in winter and before stonefly hatches. A heavy stonefly nymph to get deep.
Buy at AmazonTactical Peeping Caddis TH Jig
Highly recommended for targeting larger fish on undercut banks. Caddis are actively emerging in spring.
Pine Squirrel Leech (Olive)
Small leech patterns like this effectively mimic sluggish baitfish and annelids in cold water, enticing strikes from larger, lethargic trout in early spring.
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.