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Don Pedro Fishing Report | September 15, 2025

Report by Capt. Monte Smith Monte Smith runs Gold Country Sport Fishing and guides Don Pedro Reservoir. Shop Monte Smith's tackle. What is working right now Don Pedro is fishing great in mid-September 2025 as fall cools the water to about 75 degrees on the surface. Monte Smith is smashing fish trolling his custom homemade spoons and Optimizer Juniors from 40 to 70 feet deep. The lake is stuffed with threadfin shad, so watch for grebes to find the bait schools, then find the fish. Water clarity is 8 to 9 feet. How is the fishing at Don Pedro right now?Very good. Monte Smith says they are smashing fish hard as fall arrives early and cools the water. The lake is loaded with threadfin shad, there is hardly any boat traffic, and the action should hold at least through October. What depth are the fish holding at Don Pedro?From 40 to 70 feet deep. Monte Smith is running his gear through that band and putting a lot of fish in the boat. Follow the bait and the fish will be nearby. What lures are working at Don Pedro?Monte Smith is running his custom homemade spoons alongside Optimizer Juniors, and the Optimizer Juniors are starting to put a lot more fish in the boat. The custom spoons are his own and are not sold by Catch America. How do I locate fish at Don Pedro?Hunt down the schools of threadfin shad. Monte Smith watches for grebes, which are a telltale sign of bait. Match the grebes and you will find bait, and where there is bait, there are fish. Note that the target species was not named in this report. What are the conditions at Don Pedro?Surface temps are down to about 75 degrees and cooling. Water clarity is 8 to 9 feet. The lake is dropping 4 to 5 inches a day and is about 40 feet down, but it is in great shape with light pressure. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Monte Smith): We're still running my custom homemade spoons, and we're running Optimizer Junior spoons. Those are starting to put a lot more fish in the boat for us. We're fishing from 40, 65, 70 feet deep. The lake is stuffed full of threadfin shad. You got to hunt down the schools of bait, and we're looking for grebes. If you match those grebes, you're going to find bait and then you're going to find fish. Don Pedro Reservoir September 15, 2025 FAQ What depth are the fish at Don Pedro in September 2025?From 40 to 70 feet deep, per Monte Smith. What lures work at Don Pedro right now?Custom homemade spoons and Optimizer Junior spoons, with the Optimizer Juniors producing more fish. How do I find fish at Don Pedro?Look for grebes to locate the threadfin shad schools, which lead you to the fish. What is the water temperature at Don Pedro?About 75 degrees on the surface and cooling as fall arrives. What is the water clarity at Don Pedro?About 8 to 9 feet of visibility with a shark weight. How long will the Don Pedro bite last?Monte Smith expects the action to continue at least through all of October, maybe later depending on weather. Shop the Tackle Junior Optimizer 2.25 inch Shop Monte Smith's Tackle Shop Kokanee Gear

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Truckee River Fishing Report | September 8, 2025

Report by Matt Heron Matt Heron runs Matt Heron Fly Fishing and guides the Truckee River. What is working right now Water temps and flows are in great shape on the Truckee River, with cold nights dropping temps and flows around 350 to 550 CFS below Boca. Keep throwing hopper-droppers with crayfish patterns or rubber legs as attractors, then a size 16 caddis or size 16 PMD behind them. Watch water temps and fish safety between noon and 2 PM. The Little Truckee is mostly a PMD game. How is the Truckee River fishing right now?Conditions are excellent. Cold nights have kept water temps down and flows are perfect throughout the system. Below Boca and on the Little Truckee, flows just started to drop. From Truckee down through Boca and the canyon you are looking at about 350 to 550 CFS. What flies are working on the Truckee River?Keep throwing hopper-droppers. Crayfish patterns and rubber legs work well as attractors, with a size 16 caddis or size 16 PMD dropped behind them. You can also dead drift tiny micro leeches or small streamer jigs. That combination is catching a lot of fish. How is the Little Truckee River fishing?The Little Truckee is mostly a PMD game right now, with some green drakes in size 10 to 12 still around. You can fish worms too. The Nevada side of the Truckee has very similar bugs, especially during the morning game. When should I watch water temps on the Truckee?Start thinking about water temps and fish safety between noon and 2 PM, when it warms up. It gets a little warmer later in the week, so keep a thermometer with you. Cold nights in Truckee have been dropping temps and helping the fishery. What is the outlook for the Truckee River?Not a lot has changed and conditions are in great shape for the season. Keep it simple with crayfish, rubber legs, size 16 caddis, and size 16 PMDs, plus the hopper-dropper game. You can start thinking about golden stoneflies and nocturnal stones too. Watch the full report From the report (Matt Heron): Water temps have been absolutely amazing thanks to really cold nights in Truckee. From Truckee all the way down through Boca, through the canyon, you are looking at about 350 to 550 to keep it simple. Definitely keep throwing hopper droppers. Crayfish patterns and rubber legs are working really well as an attractor, and I would put a size 16 caddis or a size 16 PMD behind that. On the Little Truckee it is mostly a PMD game. Truckee River September 8, 2025 FAQ What are the Truckee River flows right now?From Truckee down through Boca and the canyon, about 350 to 550 CFS. Flows below Boca and on the Little Truckee just started to drop. What is the best fly setup on the Truckee River?A hopper-dropper with a crayfish pattern or rubber legs as the attractor and a size 16 caddis or size 16 PMD behind it. What is working on the Little Truckee River?Mostly a PMD game, with some size 10 to 12 green drakes still around. Worms will also produce. When are Truckee River water temps a concern?Between noon and 2 PM, when it warms up. It gets warmer later in the week, so carry a thermometer for fish safety. Can I fish streamers or leeches on the Truckee?Yes. You can dead drift tiny micro leeches or small streamer jigs along with the hopper-dropper rigs. Are stoneflies a factor on the Truckee River?You can start thinking about some golden stoneflies and nocturnal stones, but crayfish, rubber legs, caddis, and PMDs keep it simple. Who guides the Truckee River?Matt Heron of Matt Heron Fly Fishing. Shop the Tackle Shop Trout Gear

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Flathead River Fishing Report | September 1, 2025

Report by Ryan Stultz Ryan Stultz guides for Bent Fly Fishing in Montana and reports on the Flathead, Clark Fork, and Blackfoot rivers. What is working right now The Flathead River fished well through August into early September 2025 thanks to cool weather and steady rain. Ryan Stultz reports late hopper fishing still working, with mayflies like the Hecuba bringing big fish up. Throw a size 12 or 10 parachute Adams or a Purple Haze to rising fish. The Clark Fork is low but productive, and the Blackfoot is best for wade anglers. How is the Flathead River fishing right now?The main stem of the Flathead fished good all through August into early September, with only a few slow days. Cool-downs and light rain kept the fish happy. Ryan Stultz reports strong dry-fly action heading into fall. What flies are working on the Flathead River?Late hoppers are still producing, and mayflies like the Hecuba are bringing big fish up. Throw a size 12 or size 10 parachute Adams, or a Purple Haze, or your favorite parachute mayfly pattern to rising fish. These flies are not carried by Catch America. How do I fish the mayfly hatch on the Flathead?When you see a few of the big mayflies on the water, the fish look for them. Snip off the big hopper in the second half of the day and throw a parachute mayfly pattern to raise a big fish. You do not need a heavy hatch to get them looking up. How are the Clark Fork and Blackfoot rivers?The Clark Fork is low but still putting out lots of good days, best waded. The Blackfoot is very low, around 330 CFS, and too skinny to float, so it is a wade fishery. Go early when it is cool and you will have it almost to yourself. What is the outlook for Montana fly fishing?Conditions have been favorable with good weather holding the fish in. Late-season hopper and mayfly action should continue as fall sets in. Water temperatures are holding on the Clark Fork despite low flows. Watch the full report From the report (Ryan Stultz): The main stem of the Flathead fished good all through August. We kept getting cool downs, little rain here, just making for happy fish. Hoppers still working, which is awesome. We saw the first appearance of the Hecuba pop out last week. A size 12 parachute Adams or even a size 10 parachute Adams would work great, or Purple Haze would do the trick too. Flathead River September 1, 2025 FAQ Are hoppers still working on the Flathead River?Yes, late hopper fishing is still producing into early September, per Ryan Stultz. What mayfly is hatching on the Flathead?The Hecuba, a large mayfly the fish go crazy over. What dry flies should I use on the Flathead?A size 12 or 10 parachute Adams, a Purple Haze, or your favorite parachute mayfly pattern. Can you float the Blackfoot River right now?No. At around 330 CFS it is too low to get a boat through, so it is a wade fishery. How is the Clark Fork fishing?Low but productive, with good days for wade fishermen and water temps holding. When is the best time to fish the Blackfoot?Early in the day when it is cool, with hardly anyone around. Shop the Tackle Shop Fly Fishing Gear Shop Trout Gear

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Lake Almanor Fishing Report | August 25, 2025

Report by Capt. Bryan Roccucci Bryan Roccucci runs Big Daddy's Guide Service on Lake Almanor and is a Catch America pro-staff captain. Shop Bryan Roccucci's tackle. What is working right now Lake Almanor is on fire in late August 2025 with a multi-species bite. Bryan Roccucci had browns to 7 pounds, rainbows over 4, king salmon, and Sacramento perch in a day. Slow-troll a Trix Minnows scented with Brown Town at 32 to 41 feet on the pond smelt bite, or run red and copper Optimizer Juniors at 38 to 40 feet along the east shore. What is biting at Lake Almanor right now?A strong multi-species bite. Bryan Roccucci landed browns to 7 pounds, rainbows over 4 pounds, king salmon over 4 pounds, and Sacramento perch in one day, a four-species day plus the Almanor hat-trick. The late-summer bite keeps getting better. What depth are the Lake Almanor fish holding?On the slow gear, the fish are 32 to 41 feet down where they are feeding on pond smelt. On the hardware, look 38 to 40 feet along the eastern shoreline. Put the baits right where you mark fish. What lures and colors are working at Lake Almanor?Slow-troll a Trix Minnows, the Pixie Trixie ones, scented with Brown Town. For hardware, red and copper Optimizer Juniors are getting smashed. Bright reds and coppers are best, though some anglers score on blue and silver cop-car colors. How is Bryan Roccucci rigging and presenting?Two ways. Slow-troll scented Trix Minnows at 32 to 41 feet for the minnow-eating fish, or put on hardware and go faster with red and copper Optimizer Juniors at 38 to 40 feet. Match the program to the day. Trolling speed was not specified in this report. What are the conditions at Lake Almanor?Flat water with good visibility and water temps still in the low 70s despite a heat wave. The lake has only dropped about a foot in 10 days as the fall drawdown begins, and it is in fantastic shape. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Bryan Roccucci): We had browns to 7 lbs today, rainbows to over 4 lbs, King salmon over 4 lbs, Sacramento perch. It was a four species day plus the Almanor hat-trick. We worked the Trout Trix minnows all day. The Pixie Trixies were the ones getting bit. We're scenting up those minnows with the Brown Town bait scent, running those down anywhere from 32 to 41 ft. The red and copper Optimizer Junior was just getting smashed, 38 to 40 ft down. Lake Almanor August 25, 2025 FAQ What species are biting at Lake Almanor in August 2025?Brown trout to 7 pounds, rainbows over 4, king salmon over 4, and Sacramento perch, all in one day. What depth are Lake Almanor fish holding?32 to 41 feet on slow-trolled minnows, and 38 to 40 feet on hardware. What is the best slow-troll setup at Lake Almanor?A Trix Minnow, the Pixie Trixie style, scented with Brown Town, run where fish are feeding on pond smelt. What hardware color is working at Lake Almanor?Red and copper Optimizer Juniors, with bright reds and coppers best overall. What is the water temperature at Lake Almanor?Still in the low 70s with good visibility, despite a heat wave. Is the lake dropping at Lake Almanor?Only about a foot in the last 10 days as the fall drawdown starts. The lake is in fantastic shape. Shop the Tackle Trix Minnows 3 inch - 5 Pack Brown Town Scent by Bryan Roccucci Junior Optimizer 2.25 inch Shop Bryan Roccucci's Tackle Shop Trout Gear

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St. Clair Lake Fishing Report | August 18, 2025

Report by Pete Fisher Pete Fisher of the Gig Harbor Fishin Club shared this St. Clair Lake report for Catch America. What is working right now St. Clair Lake in Thurston County gave up trout and a bass on a naked natural-pattern Trout Trix Minnow run 10 feet on the downrigger. The water is very stained at 72 degrees, so dark presentations and added scent outfished bright colors. This 233-acre lake is a maze of potholes and channels, so follow the rule and do not leave fish to find fish. What is biting at St. Clair Lake right now?Trout and bass. Over about three hours, the angler caught four fish, three trout and a bass, all on a naked natural-pattern Trout Trix Minnow. St. Clair reportedly holds coastal cutthroat, brown trout, rainbow trout, and black crappie. What lure is working at St. Clair Lake?A natural-colored Trout Trix Minnow, fished naked, was the clear producer, run 10 feet down on the downrigger. There was also a takedown on a three-way swivel setup pairing that natural Trix Minnow with a fish flash. What depth for St. Clair Lake trout?Run the Trout Trix Minnow 10 feet on the downrigger. The lake depth changes fast, from over 50 feet down to 13 feet as you work the channels, so the fish came while moving over both deeper pockets and shallower water around 25 feet. How does water clarity affect St. Clair Lake?The water is very stained, so dark presentations worked and bright presentations drew no hits. Pairing dark baits with added attractant produced better with any presentation. Water temperature was 72 degrees. What is the key tip for St. Clair Lake?Do not leave fish to find fish. After marking fish elsewhere without takedowns, the angler returned toward the first hookup spot and connected again. On a lake of connected potholes and channels, sticking near productive water pays off. Watch the full report From the report (Pete Fisher): That natural-colored Trout Trix Minnow from catchamerica.com, ten feet on the downrigger. I caught three trout and a bass, all on a naked Trout Trix Minnow in natural pattern. The water is very stained, and so we were using dark presentations. Tried some bright presentations, no hits. St. Clair Lake August 18, 2025 FAQ What lure works at St. Clair Lake?A naked natural-pattern Trout Trix Minnow, run 10 feet on the downrigger. What depth are St. Clair trout holding?About 10 feet on the downrigger, while working water from over 50 feet down to around 13 to 25 feet. Why do dark presentations work at St. Clair?The water is very stained, so dark baits with scent outfished bright colors. What species live in St. Clair Lake?Coastal cutthroat, brown trout, rainbow trout, and black crappie, plus the bass caught on this trip. How big is St. Clair Lake?It is a 233-acre lake made of potholes connected by channels in Thurston County. What is the water temperature at St. Clair Lake?About 72 degrees, and very stained. Shop the Tackle Trix Minnows Shop Trout Gear

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Clark Fork River Fishing Report | July 28, 2025

Report by Capt. Ryan Stultz Ryan Stultz runs Bent Fly Fishing in Montana and reports for Catch America. What is working right now Clark Fork River fly fishing was lights-out with a strong bite from about 6:40 AM and fish of all sizes all day. Dropper fishing outperformed dries. Run a size 12 black Pat's Rubber Legs as your dropper under a royal or copper chubby, and high-stick to keep a clean drift. The nearby Flathead has slowed in the summer heat, while the Blackfoot is fishing well on ants. What is biting on the Clark Fork River right now?Trout, and it was an unbelievable day with fish of all sizes. Guide Ryan Stultz of Bent Fly Fishing reported the bite was good right out of the gate, fishing by about 7 AM. Dropper fishing was clearly outproducing the dry fly, though fish ate both. What flies are working on the Clark Fork River?A little black size 12 Pat's Rubber Legs as the dropper was the ticket. Pair it with a royal or copper chubby on top for bonus surface looks. These are standard fly patterns, not Catch America products, so we name them without a shop link. How should you present flies on the Clark Fork?Focus on high-sticking. Keep your fly line up and out of the water to get a clean, drag-free drift and solid hook sets. Ryan taught this to a first-timer and it put great fish in the net, so it works even if you are new to fly fishing. How is the nearby Flathead River fishing?Tougher, as summer heat sets in and pressured westslope cutthroat are less willing to rise. Ryan suggests going small and technical with a size 16 epoxy ant or a purple dubbing ant behind a hopper, and adding a mid-depth dropper like a small PT jig in the mornings. How is the Blackfoot River fishing?Well. Low water is keeping crowds down and the fish are still eating, with solid dry fly action on ants and caddis. Throw a size 16 epoxy ant alongside a corn-fed caddis. Be ready to drag your raft in spots, but the low pressure is worth it. Watch the full report From the report (Capt. Ryan Stultz): Right out of the gate, the fishing was good. Definitely way more on the dropper than the dry fly. A little black size 12 Pat's Rubber Legs. We taught Max a little bit about high-sticking that day, keeping that line up high out of the water, and getting a good drift, and just setting the hook into some great fish. Clark Fork River July 28, 2025 FAQ What is the best fly on the Clark Fork River right now?A size 12 black Pat's Rubber Legs dropper, paired with a royal or copper chubby on top. Are dries or droppers better on the Clark Fork?Droppers clearly outfished dries, though fish were active on both. What is the best technique for beginners here?High-sticking, keeping the line up out of the water for a clean drift and solid hook sets. How is the Flathead River fishing?Slower with summer heat. Go small with a size 16 epoxy ant or purple dubbing ant behind a hopper. How is the Blackfoot River fishing?Good, with solid dry fly action on ants and caddis and fewer crowds due to low water. Who is the guide for this report?Ryan Stultz of Bent Fly Fishing in Montana. Shop the Tackle Shop Catch America Flies Shop Trout Gear

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Harts Lake Fishing Report | July 21, 2025

Report by Pete Fisher Pete Fisher fishes with the Gig Harbor Fishin Club and reports from lakes around Pierce County, Washington. What is working right now The summer trout bite was tough at Harts Lake in Pierce County on July 21, 2025, with 75-degree water and scattered, sluggish fish. The angler trolled deep, hooking up at 90 feet with 1 ounce of lead and again at 15 feet on the downrigger. He worked Trix Minnows, Trix Worms, Trigger Spoons, and Junior Trigger Spoons before Max's Spinners finally produced. How is the trout bite at Harts Lake right now?Tough. Several boats were out and nobody was catching much. The 111-acre Pierce County lake had 75-degree water, and the fish were scattered and sluggish. This is the second summer trip here with a slow bite, so spring or fall may fish better. What depth are the Harts Lake trout holding?Deep. The angler started at 50 feet, worked down to 90 feet, and hooked up at 90 feet with 1 ounce of lead. On the downrigger, he went from 11 feet down to 15 feet and got bit at 15. Adjust depth in increments to find them. What lures were tried at Harts Lake?He worked Trix Minnows, Trix Worms, Trigger Spoons, and Junior Trigger Spoons across the water column. Max's Spinners were what finally produced, fished on both sides of the kayak. How did he trigger the finicky Harts Lake trout?He trolled deep with lead and the downrigger, adjusting depth strategically, and added scent and bait, using Gulp maggots in red and Smelly Jelly krill with salmon egg. Those scented offerings helped tempt a tough, pressured bite. What is the outlook for Harts Lake?The lake has a good reputation for large trout, plus crappie and perch, but the summer bite is tough with warm water. The angler recommends fishing it in spring or fall for better results. Watch the full report From the report (Pete Fisher): We trolled the surface, we trolled deep, we did downriggers, we did lead. And we tried Trout Trix Minnows, Trout Trix Worms, a number of Trigger Spoons, Junior Trigger Spoons. And I finally found success with the Max's Spinners. Started at 50 feet, went to 90 feet, hooked up at 90 feet with 1 oz of lead. The water temp was 75 degrees. Harts Lake July 21, 2025 FAQ Why is the Harts Lake trout bite so tough?Warm 75-degree summer water has the fish scattered and sluggish, and multiple boats reported little action. What depth worked at Harts Lake?90 feet with 1 ounce of lead, and 15 feet on the downrigger. What lure finally caught fish at Harts Lake?Max's Spinners, fished on both sides of the kayak. What scent and bait were used at Harts Lake?Gulp maggots in red and Smelly Jelly krill with salmon egg to tempt the finicky fish. When is the best time to fish Harts Lake?Spring or fall. The summer bite has been tough on repeat trips, per the angler. What species does Harts Lake hold?It has a good reputation for large trout, along with crappie and perch. Shop the Tackle Trix Minnows 3 inch - 5 Pack Trix Worms 3 inch - 5 Pack Trigger Spoon 2.25 inch Junior Trigger Spoon 1.25 inch Shop Trout Gear

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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. Shop the Tackle Shop Fly Fishing Gear Shop Trout Gear

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Flathead River Fishing Report | July 14, 2025

Report by Ryan Stultz Ryan Stultz is the outfitter and head guide for Bent Fly Fishing in Montana. What is working right now The Flathead River is fishing strong for westslope cutthroat in mid-July 2025, with above-average dry fly action helped by a recent cool-down and rain. Anchor the drift boat and cast a size 16 Rusty Spinner PMD at the heads of riffles. Purple Haze and Parachute Adams also produced the best fish. Strategic summer rain is keeping this fishery prime. What is biting on the Flathead River right now?Westslope cutthroat trout are on a strong dry fly bite. Ryan Stultz reports the dry fly fishing was above average, with most fish coming on mayfly patterns. A recent cool-down and rain dropped temps and kept the river in prime shape. Some bigger fish came from riffle heads.What flies are working on the Flathead River?Mayfly stuff is the ticket: Purple Haze and Parachute Adams for most fish, and a size 16 Rusty Spinner PMD for the best fish from riffle heads. These are fly patterns rather than products we carry, so match the mayfly hatch from your own box or a local fly shop.How should I fish the Flathead River now?Anchor the drift boat and cast multiple times into the head of the riffles with a size 16 Rusty Spinner PMD. That approach produced the best fish for Ryan. Focus on mayfly patterns during the above-average dry fly windows and keep the fish wet on release.What are the water conditions on the Flathead River?A recent cool-down and rain improved conditions, with river temps favorable despite fluctuating summer heat. It dipped under 50 degrees one day, then back into the 70s and high 80s. The river runs a little low but the strategic rain keeps it cool. Exact flows were not specified in this report.What is the outlook for the Flathead River?Prime, with more rain in the forecast to keep water cool. Ryan says northwest Montana is all about strategic rain right now. The Clark Fork is also still fishing great with scrappy trout, best early when water is coldest. Longer-term outlook was not specified in this report.Watch the full report From the report (Ryan Stultz): The mighty main stem of the Flathead is actually still fishing good. The dry fly fishing today was above average. Most of the fish today came on Mayfly stuff: Purple Haze, Parachute Adams. Caught some bigger fish anchoring up in the drift boat, casting into the head of these riffles with a size 16 Rusty Spinner PMD.Flathead River July 14, 2025 FAQIs the Flathead River fishing well in mid-July?Yes. Dry fly fishing is above average for westslope cutthroat, helped by a recent cool-down and rain.What flies work on the Flathead River now?Purple Haze, Parachute Adams, and a size 16 Rusty Spinner PMD at the heads of riffles.How do I fish the riffles on the Flathead?Anchor the drift boat and make multiple casts into the head of the riffles with a size 16 Rusty Spinner PMD.What species are in the Flathead River?Native westslope cutthroat trout, unique to northwest Montana, are the main catch.How is the weather affecting the Flathead River?Strategic rain and cool-downs are keeping the water cool and the dry fly fishing prime.Is the Clark Fork River also fishing well?Yes. It is still fishing great with scrappy trout, best early in the morning when the water is coldest. Shop the Tackle Shop Trout Gear

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