Fishing Report, June 26

We’ve logged some incredible days on the water over the last week, with great action across the Flathead Valley and our regional rivers. The big story right now is that freestone rivers have turned the corner. The main stem of the Flathead, the Blackfoot, and the Clark Fork have all cleared up beautifully, bringing us right into the sweet spot of early-summer river fishing.

Looking at the week ahead, we have a cooling trend moving in alongside some light rain and steady cloud cover. For trout anglers, this is a massive advantage. The drop in temperature keeps our water conditions incredibly stable, while the overcast skies prevent the fish from getting spooky and drag out our afternoon insect hatches. Here is how things are shaping up across our systems:

Fishing Report, Whitefish

Flathead River (Whitefish)

Status: Excellent & Receding | Flow: 15,700 CFS | Temp: 53°F

The Flathead is dropping into prime form, currently clearing out at 15,700 cfs. The heavy, muddy push from early June is entirely in the rearview mirror…Hopefully… replaced by classic emerald clarity and excellent visibility. The river is wide open, and the fish are looking up.

The Post-Runoff Clean Up: When a major freestone drops and clears like this, it kicks off some of the most dependable fishing of the season. Because these fish haven’t seen heavy insect activity or fly lines for the past two months, they are highly active and eager to feed. Capitalize on the cloud cover by working the soft inside edges, slow willow lines, and newly exposed gravel bars where trout are stacked up waiting for an easy meal.
Look to the Surface: With clear water and expanding visibility, the local cutthroat are looking straight up. Large foam attractors, stonefly imitations, and bright Chubbies are drawing aggressive surface strikes. Stick to the soft pockets, tailouts, and eddy lines where trout can comfortably feed on top without fighting the main current.

Fishing Report, Kalispell

Blackfoot River (Kalispell Regional)

Status: Prime & Dropping | Flow: 2,040 CFS | Temp: 56°F

The Blackfoot is in beautiful shape, dropping to a highly fishable 2,040 CFS. The annual Salmonfly and Golden Stonefly migration is actively moving up through the canyon, and this incoming cooler weather will actually prolong the hatch, keeping the big bugs low in the willows and the fish looking at the banks.

Pounding the Willow Banks: This is heavy-structure, heavy-tippet fishing at its finest. With the overcast skies rolling in, trout are feeling secure enough to move right up into the shallowest water along the banks. Focus your casts tight to the willow-lined cutbanks, boulder gardens, and canyon walls, ensuring a clean, drag-free presentation right against the wood.
Subsurface Migration: If the fish are slow to wake up on top during chilly mornings, don’t hesitate to drop a heavy, rubber-legged stonefly nymph 18 to 24 inches below a large foam dry fly. Trout keyed into the migrating nymphs will routinely choke the dropper in the bank foam well before the surface action fully erupts after lunchtime.

Clark Fork River(Kalispell Regional)

Status: Great Shape & Clearing | Flow: 8,090 CFS | Temp: 57°F

The Clark Fork has officially stabilized, dropping to a manageable 8,090 CFS as clarity improves by the day. Trout have transitioned out of their high-water safety zones and are spreading out into their classic summer slots: grassy banks, inside seams, and slow shelves sitting right next to faster current.

Dry-Dropper Tactical Rigs: Golden Stones are providing the main meal right now, with excellent secondary hatches of Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and PMDs appearing in the afternoons. The steady cloud cover this week is going to make these mayfly hatches highly productive. Running a dry-dropper setup—like a foam attractor up top with a small, weighted jig nymph underneath—is a deadly way to dissect the seams.
Targeting the Transitions: Keep a sharp eye out for changing light conditions throughout the day, which are sparking sudden dry fly opportunities. When the sun does break through, shift your focus to the deeper buckets and shaded banks where the nymph game remains steady and predictable.

Guided Trips with Montana Fishing Guides

At Montana Fishing Guides, we don’t just sell time on a boat—we deliver a premium, stress-free experience from the moment you first pick up the phone until the final handshake at the end of the day. We cut out the guesswork so you can focus entirely on having a fun day on the water.

Top-Notch Customer Service, Everywhere

We build our entire operation around your convenience. From booking logistics and customized timing to organizing high-end gear and a great lunch, we sweat the small stuff so you don’t have to. Our office team and on-the-water guides are fully synced to ensure your trip runs flawlessly, adapting in real time to your schedule, preferences, and anything else that may pop up.

100% Beginner & Family Friendly

You don’t need a lifetime of casting experience to have a banner day with us. We absolutely love teaching and introducing people to these waters. Our guides are remarkably patient, encouraging, and specialized in breaking down the mechanics of the sport without any pressure. Whether you’re a complete first-timer, a child picking up a rod for the first time, or a seasoned pro looking to fine-tune a technique, we tailor the entire day to your exact pace.

The Montana Fishing Guides Promise: No attitude, no empty promises, and zero compromised quality. Just a great team dedicated to giving you the best customer service and the most fun day possible on the water.

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