Fishing Report, June 24

We’ve put together some fantastic days on the water over the past week, finding great action throughout the Flathead Valley and the smaller systems to our west. The big news is that the early-summer flip has officially arrived: the main stem of the Flathead, the Blackfoot, and the Clark Fork have all broken out of their runoff funk and are fishing absolutely lights-out. We are stepping into prime early-summer conditions across all of our regional freestone rivers right now.

As for the week ahead, the forecast is shaping up beautifully. We’re looking at comfortable daytime highs in the 60s and low 70s mixed with a little cloud cover and light rain—absolute textbook fishing weather. Here is how things are shaping up across our systems…

Fishing Report, Whitefish

Flathead River: The Green Light is On

Status: Excellent & Clearing | Flow: 14,100 CFS | Temp: 55°F

The wait is officially over. The Flathead has made its dramatic drop-and-clear move, settling down into an absolutely beautiful 14,100 CFS. That massive, muddy push from earlier this month is gone, replaced by our signature emerald-green water and that magic 5-plus feet of visibility we’ve been hunting for. The fish are hungry, looking up, and the river is officially wide open.

• The Drop-and-Clear Window: When a freestone like the Flathead drops and clears, it triggers some of great fishing.  The fish have seen much the last 2 months, so they are ready to eat bugs.  Focus on the soft inside edges, slow willow lines, and newly exposed rock bars where trout are stacking up to grab an easy meal.

• Big Flies & Deep Drifts: Early-summer water carries some serious velocity, so leave the tiny bugs in the box. Right now, the fish want a substantial meal. Focus on large, high-visibility dry flies or heavy subsurface patterns that can easily cut through the current. The key is to get down into the slower water near the bottom, where the trout are stacked up out of the heavy water.

Fishing Report, Kalispell

The Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers are all within striking distance of Kalispell.

Blackfoot River: Salmonfly Madness

Status: Excellent & Dropping | Flow: 2,120 CFS | Temp: 59°F

The Blackfoot has cleared up beautifully and dropped to a prime 2,120 CFS, sparking the most anticipated event of the season: the Salmonfly and Golden Stone hatch is officially charging up the river. Water temperatures are hitting a perfect 59°F, putting the canyon’s big resident cutthroats and browns in a full-blown predatory mood.

• Pounding the Willow Banks: The name of the game right now is heavy tippet and giant dry flies. Focus your efforts on the willow-lined cutbanks, boulder gardens, and deep canyon walls. Cast tight to the structure and give your fly a solid, drag-free drift.

• Subsurface Migration: If the fish aren’t fully committing to the surface first thing in the morning, don’t hesitate to hang a heavy Pat’s Rubber Legs or a TJ Hooker nymph 18 to 24 inches below a massive foam dry. Trout that are keyed into the migrating nymphs will choke a dropper right in the bank foam before the surface bite fully erupts at midday.

Clark Fork River: Golden Stones & Grassy Seams

Status: Great Shape & Improving | Flow: 8,600 CFS | Temp: 59°F

The Clark Fork has turned the corner, dropped to a highly manageable 8,600 CFS, and the water clarity is settling in perfectly. Trout are finally moving out of their high-water refuges and spreading out into classic early-summer slots: grassy banks, inside bends, soft foam lines, and slow shelves adjacent to fast current.

• Dry-Dropper Tactical Rigs: Golden Stones are the headline attraction here right now, with strong secondary hatches of Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and PMDs showing up in the afternoon. Running a dry-dropper rig—like a foam Water Walker or Chubby up top with a smaller tactical jig nymph underneath—is an incredibly effective way to cover ground along the edges and soft seams.

• Targeting the Transitions: Keep a close eye on cloudy windows or softer light during the day, which are triggering excellent dry fly opportunities. When the sun gets high, shift your focus to deeper buckets and shaded banks where the nymph game remains steady and predictable.

Guided Trips 

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

I buildtour 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 an great team dedicated to giving you the best customer service and the most fun day possible on the water.

Our phone is on 24/7—call 406-233-9001 to book your next trip with the crew!