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Clark Fork River Fishing Report | July 21, 2025

Report by Ryan Stultz
Ryan Stultz runs Bent Fly Fishing in Montana and files weekly river reports for Catch America.
What is working right now

The Clark Fork River is fishing outstanding in late July 2025 after a three-day cool-down dropped water temps and fired up the trout. Ryan Stultz put a three-boat trip on bent rods all day, mostly on the dropper. Run a copper foam stonefly up top with a black Pat's Rubber Legs below, and get on the water early, lines in by 6:40 AM.

How is the Clark Fork River fishing right now?

Outstanding. Ryan Stultz says the river loves a cool-down and he hit it perfect after three days of cold weather dropped the water temp. His three-boat trip had bent rods all day long, with tons of fish hitting the net.

What flies work on the Clark Fork River?

Ryan ran a copper foam stonefly on top with a black Pat's Rubber Legs dropper below. Most hits came on the dropper, but the topwater also produced. It was an exceptional all-day numbers game.

When should you fish the Clark Fork River?

Early. Ryan put his boats on the water with lines in by 6:40 AM after the cool-down, and the fish were happy and aggressive. Getting out early takes advantage of the cool water temps before the day warms.

What are the other Montana rivers doing?

The Flathead is transitioning to terrestrials, with small ants, beetles, and early hoppers coming into play. The Blackfoot had a great dry fly day on a size 16 epoxy ant, with fun numbers of fish feeding on top.

What is the outlook for the Clark Fork River?

Great. Recent rain and cool-downs are keeping temps in check through peak summer, which sets up strong fishing. Ryan expects the good reports to continue and will keep anglers posted honestly whether the bite is hot or not.

Watch the full report

From the report (Ryan Stultz): Today, just getting back from the Clark Fork River again. That thing fished great. That river loves a cool down, and I just hit it perfect today. We had a three-boat trip out there and everybody was just bent all day. I was throwing a copper foam stonefly up top with a black Pat's Rubber Legs below it, and it was just an exceptional day.

Clark Fork River July 21, 2025 FAQ

Why is the Clark Fork fishing so well?

A three-day cool-down dropped the water temperature and fired up an aggressive trout bite.

What flies work on the Clark Fork River?

A copper foam stonefly up top with a black Pat's Rubber Legs dropper, with most hits on the dropper.

What time should you start on the Clark Fork?

Early, with lines in by about 6:40 AM to fish the cool morning water.

How is the Blackfoot River fishing?

Good dry fly action on a size 16 epoxy ant, with fun numbers of fish on top.

Is the Flathead switching to terrestrials?

Yes. Ryan reports the Flathead is moving toward ants, beetles, and early hoppers.

What is the Clark Fork water temperature?

A specific temperature was not stated, but three cold days dropped it enough to spark the bite.

Tags: clark-fork-river ryan-stultz trout
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Sacramento River Fishing Report | August 1, 2026

Report by Capt. Jeff Goodwin Jeff Goodwin runs Jeff Goodwin Guide Service on the upper Sacramento River and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Reach him at (530) 510-2925 to book a trip. Shop Jeff Goodwin's tackle. What is working right now The upper Sacramento River king salmon season opened August 1, 2026 at the world-famous Barge Hole near Anderson and Cottonwood. It was a slow opener with under a dozen fish caught, but Capt. Jeff Goodwin says prime fishing is only 2 to 3 weeks out. His go-to is back-bouncing Brad's KillerFish KF15 and KF16 plugs on 10 ounce weights, double-wrapped with fresh sardine and wild prawn. What is biting on the upper Sacramento River right now?King salmon are the target at the Barge Hole near Anderson and Cottonwood. August 1, 2026 was the official opener, and Capt. Jeff Goodwin called it a light, slow opener with fewer than a dozen fish caught. His daughter Gracie boxed the first fish. More salmon are arriving as the run builds. What technique is working for Sacramento River king salmon?Back-bouncing Brad's KillerFish KF15 and KF16 plugs on the bottom. Jeff runs 10 ounces of weight to reach bottom in the deep water, with 12 to 18 inch droppers and about a 48 inch leader. The lead gets the plugs down where the fish hold since they will not dive that deep alone. How do you wrap plugs for Sacramento River salmon?Double-wrap the plug with fresh sardine and a piece of wild-caught prawn. Jeff also wraps tuna and squid. Start with a loose wrap that keeps the hooks free so you do not tie them to the plug body, then add a couple of wraps on top. More bait draws more bites as long as it does not kill the action. How do you tune a Brad's KillerFish plug?Wrapping bait shifts the center of gravity, so a plug that ran straight can start leaning one way. The fix is the eye: if the plug swims to the right, turn the eye to the left. Test it beside the boat until it dives straight and dances side to side. Out of tune plugs will not get bit. What does massaging the plug mean?It means keeping continuous action on the plug so it never sits dead on the bottom. Pull up on the rod to make the plug dart to one side, then drop the tip so it flutters back. Salmon often hit on that flutter, so be ready for a hard, full-on strike that takes line right away. What is the guide's outlook for the Barge Hole?Jeff says the area is about 2 to 3 weeks out from really good fishing. August, September, and October are the prime months, and a late fall run from November through the end of December produces some of the biggest fish of the season. Eggs, boondogging, and hover fishing come later in the run. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Jeff Goodwin): One of the favorite techniques for fishing out here in the Barge Hole is to back-bounce Brad's Killerfish. Today, we're using 15s and 16s as far as the size goes. We're running 12 to 18-inch droppers, and then about a 48-inch leader. We're using 10 ounces of weight today because we've got quite a bit of water, and we let out enough line to get down to the bottom. Sacramento River August 1, 2026 FAQ When did the upper Sacramento River salmon season open in 2026?The Barge Hole area opened August 1, 2026. Jeff notes his openers have always been July 16th and August 1st, though an open river does not mean the fishing is great yet. Where is the Barge Hole?On the upper Sacramento River near Anderson and Cottonwood, California, just below where Battle Creek dumps in. Salmon stack here and hold until the first October rains, then turn up Battle Creek to Coleman National Fish Hatchery. What weight do you use to back-bounce at the Barge Hole?Jeff ran 10 ounces of weight on opening day because there was quite a bit of water, letting out enough line to stay on the bottom. What leader and dropper lengths does Jeff Goodwin use?About 12 to 18 inch droppers and roughly a 48 inch leader, sometimes into the 50s. What baits do you wrap on Brad's KillerFish plugs?Fresh sardine and wild-caught prawn are the go-to, and Jeff also wraps tuna and squid. How do you know a plug is tuned correctly?Pull it up toward the bow of the boat. If it stays alongside the boat and dances side to side while diving straight, it is tuned. If it swims to the right, turn the eye to the left. When is the best salmon fishing on the upper Sacramento River?August, September, and October are prime, and a late fall run from November through the end of December brings some of the biggest fish. The opener itself was slow, about 2 to 3 weeks from really good fishing. Who guides the upper Sacramento River Barge Hole?Capt. Jeff Goodwin of Jeff Goodwin Guide Service. Call or text (530) 510-2925 to book. Shop the Tackle Brad's KillerFish KF15 Brad's KillerFish KF16 Shop Capt. Jeff Goodwin's Tackle Shop River Salmon Gear

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San Luis Reservoir Fishing Report | July 27, 2026

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