ON THE WATER
Fly-Fishing the Flathead
The Flathead comes off the mountains in three forks — wild, cold, and clear — and a fine stretch of it runs within a short drive of the ranch. We guide a full day for native westslope cutthroat and the trout that share their water, with rods, flies, and the knowledge of where they're holding that week. First cast or thousandth, we'll get you into fish.
The North Fork drops down off the Canadian line along Glacier's west boundary, the Middle Fork carves the Park's southern edge, and below the confluence the main stem widens and slows. Each fishes a little different through the season, and a good guide's first job is reading the water that morning and putting you where the fish are.
We fish dries when they'll come up — and Flathead cutthroat will come up for a well-drifted fly — and go subsurface when they won't. The salmonfly and stonefly hatches light it up in early summer; as the water drops, terrestrials carry the day. You'll likely bring native westslope cutthroat to hand, admire and release a bull trout or two, and maybe tangle with a rainbow.
Bring nothing but a willingness to stand in cold water and be patient. We supply the rods, the flies, and the years of knowing this river. You supply the morning, and the river does the rest.
When: Full day (roughly 7 to 8 hours)
- A licensed Beargrass fly-fishing guide for the day
- Rods, reels, flies, and terminal tackle
- On-water instruction for beginners and water reading for all
- Access to the forks and main stem of the Flathead within reach of the ranch
- SeasonLate June through September, river conditions permitting
- Skill levelAll levels; instruction included for beginners
- Group size1 to 2 anglers per guide
- What to bringWaders if you have them, polarized sunglasses, hat, layers, lunch; rods and flies provided
- Duration-detailFull day on the water, roughly 7 to 8 hours including travel to the water
