Flathead River Fishing Report | July 7, 2025
The report at a glance
Depth
Surface; fish looking up and eating dry flies on top, especially with morning shade
Presentation
Flathead: dry foam bugs up top. Clark Fork: dry flies early, then droppers as the sun climbs. Blackfoot: big topwater patterns, cut the dropper when salmonflies are active.
Lures and baits
Foam bug dries (Flathead)
Clark Fork droppers: San Juans, rubber-leg stonefly nymphs, Pheasant Tail jigs
Big topwater walker pattern (Blackfoot)
Other techniques
Dry-dropper rigging as the sun climbs
Best time
Early morning while shade is on the water
Water temperature
In good shape after recent cool-downs
Weather
Recent warm spells balanced by cool-downs
Advice for this week
Fish the dry early while the shade is on the water. As the sun gets higher, the dropper becomes king. When the salmonflies are up and fish are eating on top, skip the dropper for pure dry-fly action during peak feeding.
What is changing
The Blackfoot salmonfly hatch is starting to dwindle and turn hit-or-miss
Next week
The salmonfly hatch is dwindling and will be hit-or-miss going forward. Even so, early July looks strong across all three rivers. Get out and enjoy the surface bite while it lasts.
Notable catch
A guide working the Flathead reported netting 40 fish in a day on dry flies.
Dry-fly fishing on the Flathead River is exceptional in early July 2025. Guides netted up to 40 fish in a day on foam bugs fished on top. Native westslope cutthroat are looking up. The Clark Fork is strong on morning dries then droppers, and the Blackfoot salmonfly hatch is dwindling but still worth a big topwater pattern.
What is biting on the Flathead River right now?
Native westslope cutthroat trout are the target and they are looking up. A guide netted 40 fish in a day on dry flies, throwing foam bugs on top. Early July surface action on the main stem of the Flathead is as good as it gets, with bright orange-bellied cutthroat rising to big dries.
What flies are working on the Flathead in July?
Foam bugs fished on top are producing on the Flathead. On the Clark Fork, fish morning dries then switch to droppers as the sun rises, using San Juans, Pat's Rubber Legs, and Pheasant Tail jigs. On the Blackfoot, a Water Walker draws salmonfly-era topwater eats. Exact patterns beyond these were not specified in this report.
How is the Clark Fork River fishing?
The Clark Fork is fishing exceptionally well. Warm spells balanced by cool-downs have held water temps in good shape. When shade is on the water in the morning the dry fly gets chugged, then the dropper takes over as the sun climbs. Pat's Rubber Legs is a go-to, with nocturnal stones making an appearance.
Is the Blackfoot salmonfly hatch still on?
The Blackfoot salmonfly hatch is dwindling and turning hit or miss. On a good day you can throw a big Water Walker on top and cut the dropper off entirely during peak feeding. Timing is everything now, so target windows when salmonflies are active rather than counting on all-day action.
What is the guide's outlook for early July?
Ryan Stultz reports everything still looking good at the beginning of July, with strong surface activity across the Flathead, Clark Fork, and Blackfoot. He expects the dry-fly window to hold. Specific flow numbers and water temperatures were not specified in this report.
Watch the full report
Flathead River July 7, 2025 FAQ
Foam bugs fished on top are producing well, with fish looking up for big dries. Exact guide patterns were not specified in this report.
A guide reported netting up to 40 fish in a day on dry flies during early July 2025.
Native westslope cutthroat trout, which take big dry flies aggressively on the surface.
San Juans, Pat's Rubber Legs, and Pheasant Tail jigs, fished under a dry once the sun rises.
It is dwindling and hit or miss. When salmonflies are active, a big Water Walker on top can produce without a dropper.
Specific water temperatures were not specified in this report, though cool-downs have kept the Clark Fork in good shape.
