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Flathead River Fishing Report | February 2026

Report by Ryan Stultz, Bent Fly Fishing
Ryan Stultz runs Bent Fly Fishing and guides the main stem of the Flathead River in Northwest Montana.
What is working right now

Winter fishing on the main stem of the Flathead River is unusually good in February 2026. A warm winter and a December atmospheric river pushed water levels over double the 50-year median, and big westslope cutthroat are chewing. Ryan Stultz of Bent Fly Fishing is fishing deep with pink patterns like pink and hot red San Juans, pink Perdigons, and scuds. Mayfly nymphs are working too, and streamers or sparkle minnows swung slow and deep move the biggest fish.

How is the Flathead River fishing in February?

Unusually good for winter. Ryan Stultz is putting clients on lots of big westslope cutthroat on the main stem of the Flathead River. A warm winter and high water levels have the fish active. He ran three boats one Wednesday plus trips Friday and Saturday, which is rare this time of year.

Why is the winter fishing so good?

A December atmospheric river dumped an insane amount of rain. Even with a warm winter and little snowpack, water levels are over double the 50-year median. Those high, healthy flows have produced amazing, unusual wintertime fishing on the Flathead main stem.

What flies are working on the Flathead River?

Fish deep with pink. Pink San Juan worms, hot red San Juans, little pink Perdigon jigs, and scuds are the winter game. Mayfly nymph patterns are also producing. For the biggest fish, swing streamers or a sparkle minnow slow and deep, fewer bites but bigger trout.

How should I present flies in winter?

Get down deep. Ryan is fishing deep water with weighted nymphs and pink patterns. For streamers, swing them real slow and deep. You will not catch as many on streamers, but it is a fun way to move some of the biggest fish in the river.

What species are you catching?

Native westslope cutthroat trout. Ryan notes they love the sun in wintertime, so a bright day gets them active as the sun hits the water. On cloudy days you can still find plenty of fish, it is all relative and the fishing stays good.

What is the Flathead outlook for February?

Good. A slight cool down into the 40s is coming, less sun than the warm week that hit 50, but Ryan expects the weather and the fishing to hold for his upcoming trips. Exact water temperature was not specified in this report.

Watch the full report

From the report (Ryan Stultz, Bent Fly Fishing): The water levels have been literally double, or a little over double, our 50-year median, which has been producing some really amazing fishing for wintertime on the main stem of Flathead River. Fishing deep water still, mostly pink stuff. Winter game, pink San Juans, hot red San Juans, little jig pink Perdigons. And some really big fish being caught on streamers.

Flathead River February 2026 FAQ

Is the Flathead River fishing in winter?

Yes, and unusually well in February 2026. Big westslope cutthroat are active on the main stem thanks to high, healthy flows.

Why are Flathead water levels so high?

A December atmospheric river brought heavy rain, pushing levels to over double the 50-year median despite a low-snowpack winter.

What are the best winter flies?

Pink San Juans, hot red San Juans, pink Perdigon jigs, and scuds fished deep, plus mayfly nymphs and slow, deep streamers for big fish.

What fish are in the Flathead River?

Native westslope cutthroat trout, which get most active when winter sun hits the water.

How deep should I fish?

Fish deep water. Ryan is getting down with weighted pink nymphs and swinging streamers slow and deep.

Do I need the guide's secret patterns?

No. Standard pink San Juans, Perdigons, scuds, mayfly nymphs, and streamers are all producing right now.

Who is the guide?

Ryan Stultz of Bent Fly Fishing in Northwest Montana.

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