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Flathead River Fishing Report | June 16, 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 Flathead River is fishing great in mid-June 2025 despite low flows near 8,470 CFS, less than half the seasonal norm. Early morning, run a Chubby Chernobyl up top with a hot dropper like a size 12 golden tungsten bead or Pat's Rubber Legs. Later in the day, switch to dries. Purple Haze and Parachute Adams in size 12 to 14 are drawing solid surface takes.

How is the Flathead River fishing right now?

The Flathead is fishing great even though flows are low at 8,470 CFS, less than half of what they usually run this time of year. Ryan Stultz reports steady action early on droppers and better dry fly fishing through the back half of the day.

What flies are working on the Flathead River?

Early, fish a Chubby Chernobyl up top with a hot dropper, a size 12 golden tungsten bead or a Pat's Rubber Legs. As the day goes on, switch to dries. Old faithfuls like a Purple Haze or Parachute Adams in size 12 to 14 are your best bet.

When is the best time to fish the Flathead River?

Fish early to beat the heat and the crowds, then look for the dry fly bite to improve through the second half of the day. Ryan notes hoot owl restrictions may arrive early this year, so plan to be off the water by early afternoon.

What are the other Montana rivers doing?

Salmonflies are hatching daily on the Blackfoot with good dry fly eats, especially the canyon from Ovando down at 1,360 CFS. The Clark Fork is fishing great near 7,400 CFS, and the Missouri had a thick PMD hatch with fish rising by 7:30 AM.

What is the outlook for the Flathead River?

Flows are low and may drop further with warmer weather, so enjoy the current window. Cooler snaps can slow the bite short term but set up strong summer fishing. Water clarity and temperature were not specified in this report.

Watch the full report

From the report (Ryan Stultz): Flathead River running at 8,470 CFS this morning, which is a good amount of water to float, but we are less than half the cubic feet per second that we usually are. Early mornings, a Chubby up top with the hot dropper, a golden size 12 tongue bead or Pat's Rubber Legs, gets you fish. Second half of the day, the dry fly fishing is a little better. Purple Haze and Parachute Adams, size 12 to 14, would be your best bet.

Flathead River June 16, 2025 FAQ

What are the Flathead River flows in June 2025?

About 8,470 CFS, which Ryan Stultz notes is less than half of the seasonal norm.

What dry flies work on the Flathead River?

Purple Haze and Parachute Adams in size 12 to 14 for the afternoon dry fly bite.

What dropper should you fish on the Flathead River?

A size 12 golden tungsten bead or a Pat's Rubber Legs under a Chubby Chernobyl in the early morning.

Are salmonflies hatching in Montana?

Yes. The Blackfoot River has salmonflies coming off every day with good dry fly action, especially the canyon from Ovando down.

Is the Missouri River fishing well?

Yes. A thick PMD hatch had fish rising by 7:30 AM, with a size 16 Frenchie producing on the nymph.

Are there fishing restrictions on the Flathead?

Ryan expects hoot owl restrictions may come early this year, meaning anglers off the water by early afternoon. Exact dates were not specified in this report.

Tags: flathead-river ryan-stultz trout
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