Flathead River
river in Montana
Comprising the North, Middle, and South Forks, along with the mainstem, the Flathead River system is a vast and ecologically significant fishery. The wilder forks within the Bob Marshall Wilderness and near Glacier National Park provide unmatched opportunities for native westslope cutthroat and bull trout in a breathtaking environment.
What's working on Flathead River
- 01Prime fall conditions with clear skies and mild temperatures.
- 02October Caddis are a significant hatch, with fish actively feeding.
- 03Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and Mahogany Duns are beginning to appear.
- 04Terrestrials (hoppers, ants, beetles) are still effective along sunny banks.
- 05Focus on slower pools, deeper runs, and current seam edges for optimal success.
- 06Employ dry-dropper rigs early, transition to single dries as hatches intensify.
- 07Use slow, deliberate retrieves for streamers as water cools.
Past reports week by week
9 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
October Caddis (Dry)
Large October Caddis are becoming a significant food source for fish in the Flathead River as fall progresses. Focus your efforts with this pattern, especially in slower seams and eddy lines.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Fall BWO hatches are starting to appear on the Flathead River, and selective fish will key into these emerging adults.
Buy at AmazonMahogany Dun
Mahogany Dun hatches are starting to appear in the fall, offering another key dry fly opportunity on the Flathead River.
Buy at AmazonChernobyl Ant
Ants are still active terrestrials and a reliable food source for opportunistic fish on the Flathead River in early fall.
Buy at AmazonSchroeder’s Parachute Hopper
Terrestrial activity, particularly hoppers, remains strong from late September reports, and fish will still be looking for these larger meals along the banks of the Flathead River.
Flashback Hare's Ear Nymph
A versatile searching nymph, it imitates various active aquatic insects and will be effective subsurface for Whitefish, Crappie, Perch, and Kokanee.
Pike Bunny
Pike become more aggressive in the fall, feeding heavily to prepare for winter, and a Pike Bunny effectively imitates their primary baitfish forage.
Egg Sucking Leech
As Kokanee enter their spawning phase, other predatory species like Whitefish, Perch, and Pike will key into vulnerable eggs and leeches.
Buy at AmazonMysis Shrimp
Mysis shrimp are a consistent food source for Kokanee and Whitefish in the Flathead River, especially when fished dead drift near the bottom.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Blankenship Bridge (Middle Fork)
Key access point for the Middle Fork, offering scenic float and wade fishing.
Old Steel Bridge (Mainstem)
Popular access near Kalispell for the mainstem, good for boat and wade fishing.
Polebridge (North Fork)
Gateway to wilderness fishing in the North Fork near Glacier National Park.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Bigfork Anglers Guide Service
The StoneFly Fly Shop
Lary's Fly & Supply
Lakestream Fly Shop
Get Flathead River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Montana season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
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Quick answers
Common questions about Flathead River.
What flies work best on Flathead River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Flathead River right now are Yellow Sally (95% confidence), Hopper (95% confidence), Chernobyl Ant (95% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Flathead River?
Flathead River holds Pike, Whitefish, Crappie, Perch, Kokanee. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Flathead River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Flathead River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Flathead River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Flathead River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.