Clark Fork River Report 7.12.16
In need of getting my trout fix, I knew it was time to make another run up the Clark Fork River to see what I could find. I brought with me my Type 6 sinking and floating line, so I could reach several different water columns. The weather was beautifully sunny, and slowly turned into windy/rainy at around 2 p.m.
I caught one small cutthroat on a #14 olive Pheasant Tail, and the rest were on a #6 Olive Crystal Bugger. I know I sound like a broken record with these fishing reports on the Clark Fork, but it is hard for me not to go back to the bugger each time. I honestly tried several different flies and methods in order to find which one is working best. I had a couple grabs and follows on a Silver Sparkle Minnow, other than that, all dries and nymphs were basically a bust. I have come to the conclusion that because the lower Clark Fork does not have significant hatches (other than a select few), these trout are forced to become more meat eaters.
My trout ranged in the 14-18" range, and hit my fly like they were having a bad day. As obvious as this sounds, I was not catching anything in stretches where trout were not rising. Overall, I had a great time on the river doing what I love.