South Fork Flathead River Fishing
South Fork Flathead River Fly Fishing is the best you will find anywhere – period! This gin-clear river runs through the Bob Marshall Wilderness for nearly its full length, south to north. Horses and mules transport us, our boats, and gear 25 to 30 miles to the upper reaches of the river. (depending upon which trail we take and the itinerary).
While the trip in can be done in one very long day, we prefer to allow for two days’ travel for the comfort of our guests and the well-being of the stock. Mid-afternoon of day 2 you will be off the horses and on the river!
Time for South Fork Fly Fishing!
While you wash off the trail dust, have a drink, and relax or go fishing, the crew sets up camp and gets dinner going. Then it’s time to inflate boats and bolt frames together! Depending upon the trip, we will often stay at this first riverside camp for 2 nights. Anglers absolutely love wade fishing this upper reach! The small size and the gravel bottom of the upper river make it easy to wade fish. Usually, just one guide will accompany the anglers while the remaining guides finish up with the boats.
This is outstanding fishing, as there is a wild cutthroat trout everywhere in the river you would expect one to be – and some in places you would NOT expect them to be! From there we float the approximately 50 miles out over the course of 4 – 5 days.
South Fork Fish are Indigenous
The South Fork Flathead River is home to an incredible number of Westslope Cutthroat, and the huge Bull Trout (Dolly Varden)! Mountain Whitefish are also prolific in the South Fork. The South Fork is one of the very few places in the lower 48 where we may legally fish for Bull Trout. Furthermore, whether you are a veteran angler or a first-time beginner, you will be thrilled and amazed at the numbers and size of the Westlope Cutthroat Trout! this truly is a trip of a lifetime!
If you fly here for our South Fork Flathead River Fly Fishing Trip, you will fly into either Missoula, Kalispell, or Great Falls. This will depend upon which trailhead we begin the trip from. Each trip may take a different route in, but all will end at the same place, which is nearest to Kalispell. If you drive, there are many different options regarding where we meet and where your vehicle is parked for the week. Many guests choose to have their vehicle shuttled to the Meadow Creek Trailhead where our journey ends.
We conduct very limited and highly coveted South Fork Flathead River Fly Fishing Trips under Forest Service Permit #0596-0082. Call today for more information about our South Fork Trip!
Click Here for the description provided by the forest service.
