Choose from over 20 fabled blue ribbon rivers that we target. In 2012, the number of angler days was estimated at 657. Site name This is the official name of the site in the database. Once you are in the gorge it is tough to scout, so find the trail at the beginning of the gorge and walk ahead. If you have specific questions please feel free to contact me. My buddy and I made it to Babcock Creek in a day, but it was truely brutal. Essex Bridge 5 miles down, the bridge is a nicer launch site than bear creek and is more passable in low flows. Towns along the river include West Glacier, Nyack, Pinnacle and Essex. The gorge on Youngs was about a mile of class ii+ boulder gardens with two or three class iii- rapids with big holes to avoid. Log jams and strainers are a major hazard so be extra careful here. We floated the last 4 miles of Youngs Creek. All camping and fishing equipment is provided. He said there were wolves eating on an elk carcas just below the confluence of the Danaher and young's. Aug 1-7 Site cast to trophy trout cruising the shallows of several productive lakes. There were springs above the rocks on the other side of the river, and there was the constant sound of dripping water from that side. and paddle hard through the rapid. Powered by Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, http://www.bmwf.org/trail_conditions.html. first few miles of the South Fork of the Flathead often have log jams. But taking at the Apex of the first rapid should set up for success.". Right above Flathead Lake. The entire main Flathead was clear of log Jams. A Hungry Horse/South Fork Flathead Bull Trout Catch Card must be in possession when fishing for bull trout. Are you doing a trip this year, if so what are the dates? Upper South Fork Flathead River drainage, in Upper Youngs Creek. Typically this is a 900lb capacity per flight including guests and gear. I have done all my trips in July and only been 2.2.1 Proposed Transportation Method2-3 2.2.2 Proposed Treatment Method 2-3 2.3 Alternative A: No Action or Status Quo Management2-3 2.4 Alternative B: (Proposed Action) Fish Toxins-Combined Delivery and . The White River trip was supposed to involve floating the White River but the water was so low (July 20th on a dry year) that we ended up just hiking to the confluence with the Flathead. The first floatable stretch on Youngs and the Spring creeks offer the ultimate challenge in the fly fishing world. Be prepared to portage.but that is one plus East of Hungry Horse Reservoir and South Fork Flathead River lies the drainage basin of the Middle Fork River. Streams running off the east side of the range drain into the 98-mile (158 km) South Fork Flathead River. This cold, clear water flows into the North, South and Middle forks of the Flathead, which merge together near Columbia Falls to begin a . Bull trout are frequently caught in excess of 20" and specimens up to 30" are possible. water until you get over the top. Blankenship Bridge The first launch site on the main stem. wilderness areas in the lower-48. We caught more fish than I can count. Full transparency: I own a packraft rental company, Backcountry Packraft Rentals, so my business benefits greatly from the popularity of this river. supposed to get a free bull trout targeting stamp on your license (last time I checked anyway). Hey Ben, thanks for the update. It is unlawful to possess a live bull trout for any reason. Plus lots of people have published magazine articles on the topic so this piece will just be a drop in the bucket. Aug 9-15, (Guests should plan on flying into Kalispell the night before the trip departs and fly home the day after the trip ends), $345/day single angler fee for single anglers or an odd number in the group, 6 people max (unless one exclusive group then can do 8 people), NOTE - we recommend guests stay in Spotted Bear for the night before the trip and the night after. The Wild Mile River Retreat 4.6 Superb. of people doing the whole South Fork trip in 4 days, but I would recommend at least 6 I know there are companies that will shuttle your vehicle around for you. We take care of all the gear and you just sit back and relax after arriving in camp. Diana, For Trail conditions please go to the link below and click on the Seeley Lake Ranger District link. (406) 321-0984 While bull trout numbers in other fisheries are low where they must compete with non native trout species, they are still healthy and robust in the South Fork. Moccasin Creek Another 8 mile run that is great for half or full day runs. Extended season for whitefish and lake trout from December 1 through the third Saturday in May with artificial lures and/or maggots only. Hike/ trail ride through Bob Marshall Wilderness. The South Fork of the Flathead is known in the fly fishing world as the mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing. We paddle about 10 miles today to the South Fork Access area, where we locked up our boats and left them for the night. PRIVATE VEHICLE SHUTTLES FOR RIVER TRIPS IN AND AROUND THE FRANK CHURCH WILDERNESS. Read about the seasonal patterns in our fisheries. North Fork RoadReconstruction from the end of the resurfacing section for 5.1 miles to the Canadian Border (MP 50.0 to 55.15) to provide an 18-foot wide roadway;Proposed Traffic Control During Construction: Construction caused delays to the public traffic are forecasted at a maximum of 30 minutes per passage through the project. Flooding is a coast-to-coast threat to some part of the United States and its territories nearly every day of the year. Options include unique fishing lodges, exclusive ranch stays, riverside vacation rentals, and affordable hotel packages. From one report, a group of 4 experienced packrafters entered the gorge and 2 went swimming on the first rapid- one broke a paddle and had to manage with half a shaft- so take extra paddles if you're going to run it. It If you know what to do before , during, and after a flood you can increase your chances of survival and better protect your property. River Flow is 8860. Information. Shuttles on Clark Fork, Blackfoot, Rock Creek and lower Bitterroot cell: 406-370-5845 Upper River . Length 4.3 miElevation gain 1,893 ftRoute type Out & back. It flows out of deep wilderness and feeds the largest lake west of the Mississippi. Having done this trip twice before at 1000 and 6000 cfs, floating through where the canyon walls narrow to less than 10 ft has been relatively easy. We are ready to get your vehicle down the river. Its a beautiful stretch but at 320 cfs it was a little gravelly and slow at times. Looking to avoid the very expensive shuttle. Just found out Four Rivers Shuttle service, out of Missoula runs shuttles around the Bob. Choose from Montana's most comprehensive selection of fly fishing trips. Good call Dave, I edited my post to reflect some of those ideas. The drive to Spotted Bear is about 2 hours from Kalispell. and not any tributaries, you also cant keep them and technically you are The outflow is completely different as it runs through the lower valley and into the Clark Fork River. The hybrid trout threaten the genetically pure westslope cutthroat trout downstream in the South Fork Flathead River drainage. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up - sounds like there have been a ton of problems with Wild River Shuttle on the Middle Fork and Main Salmon Rivers in Idaho. Thank you Montana Angler and Rich for the awesome trip!" Polebridge 11 miles down, this is a great option for a long day trip from the border or a shorter one from Ford. Below Kerr Dam and the lake it runs through a short and furious 6 miles of rapids that are best suited to rafts, kayaks and experienced paddlers. Headhunters Fly Shop 406-235-3447. Quick South Fork of the Flathead update from a large group that got out Friday July 8th: Young's Gorge was still pretty spicey and not recommended for beginners. Bob Marshall Wilderness Outfitters | Trent Osburn | 656 East Fork Rd., Sula, MT 59871 our trips were bad for mosquitoes and we have only seen one bear (black) in all It is also very remote. 65 miles from the origin to Hungry Reservoir and almost all of it flows through remote wilderness. Full transparency: I own a packraft rental company. Pulling your fish in quickly and taking the hook out in the water, South Fork updated: July 9-13, approx 4000 CFS. Shuttle Services. Cast for native trout along grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers. Shore Thing Shuttle Shorethingshuttle.com. The ranger wouldn't budge, or call in to verify his license. Price: 5-6 Day South Fork Fly Fishing Package (Wade only) $2,800 per person - 6 people $3,200 per person - 5 people Hi all, Four of us have a drop in trip planned for the South Fork of the Flathead River this July. July 5-11 The gorge section of Youngs Creek can be a bit The trail was clear of blowdown except for where the Hahn cabin bypass trail is. Let us help you build the perfect lodging and fishing package. Definitely bring bear spray and hang your food, but the overall concentration of bears is pretty low in that area during the summer. Choose from over 20 fabled blue ribbon rivers that we target. The North Fork of the Flathead is Class I-II but it has some serious danger for inexperienced floaters. It was really shallow and we had to portage around and over a few logs. Included:all meals, non-alcoholic beverages, fly rods and all flies and tackle, all camping equipment, Excluded:airfare, alcohol (guests can bring with them to be packed), arrival/departure lodging (can add at additional cost), transportation to from Kalispell, Montana fishing license, wader rentals, gratuities. We are a Montana based Outfitting business licensed through the Montana Board of Outfitters and permitted through the U.S Forest Service to operate exclusively in and around the 1.5 million acre Bob Marshall Wilderness complex. Call them directly at 406-261-4343 or call the fly shop at 406-897-3740. Not cutting other boats off or paddling through fishing holes that people are fishing, Fishing more for bull trout, because you wont catch as many cut-throats and the ones you catch will be bigger, Pulling your fish in quickly and taking the hook out in the water. Let us answer all of your questions and help you choose exceptional lodges in Chile, Argentina, Alaska and the Bahamas. This site is designed to teach you how to stay safe in a flood event. Canada Border A fair number of folks put-in here and run the entire 60 miles down to Blankenship Bridge at the confluence with the main-stem. Includes rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and grayling. We are flying into Montana from out of state. View Stream Flow Data. July 16-22 Its much broader and slower here. At those flows it is worth a scout. The FWP biologists have also reported a significant increase in evidence of caught and released fish during their recent South Fork surveys. These first two days are mostly riding days but you will have the chance to fish near the camps in the evenings and mornings while camp is being setup or taken down. June 24-30 Contact us and get your Wilderness Pack Trip Vacation or Wilderness Fair Chase Hunt reserved today! Closed to angline June 1 through September 30 within a 150-yard radius of the Bear Creek Stream mouth. The white river was also runnable and was pretty much clear of wood. Start smallmouth bass fishing here. Take out at Meadows Creek again, and get someone to shuttle me to the airport in Kallispell. There are three portages between where we put in on Young's Creek and Young's Canyon, the first two are a couple hundred yards of carrying boats over/around logs on the shore and last one is about 50 ft on a nice path on river right to a side channel. What does something like that shuttle cost ? Im giving you the benefit of the doubt and hoping/assuming you dont mean its probably a bad idea to write about this, but it wont screw me over too much in the near future, so what the hell. As youll be in the position of renting boats to folks who have never been in the Bob, and maybe never in a packraft, before, how about a prominent missive on your website, and in a handout to renters headed for the South Fork, about how to minimize impact and keep the South Fork permit-free. I felt that it had mellowed out even at 3000-4000 than compared with previous years floating around the same levels. [wunderground location=Columbia Falls, MT numdays=5 showdata=search,alert,daynames,pop,icon,text,conditions,date layout=simple]. Thanks. If you want to have a more relaxing trip, do one However, my wife and I are having a baby in November so this summer will likely be the last time I float the whole thing for a while. We will help you hand pick the perfect lodge, design a great fishing program and help coordinate all logistics from airport transfers to meeting, Explore the world's most amazing fisheries with our destination travel program. Helpful resources: Bob Marshall Wilderness Map and Flathead River Guide. Fly Fishing, Whitewater and All Things Outdoors. Nights at the Wilderness Lodge are $75/person/night (so add $150 person to stay both on arrival and departure). None of (from Crossover Boat Ramp south and upstream to the confluence of Youngs and Danaher creeks), Copyright 2018 Zach Lazzari Outdoor Media, S F Flathead R ab Twin C nr Hungry Horse MT, Exceptions to Standard Regulations: Flathead River, Flathead Lake north of Flathead Indian Reservation boundary, Confluence of the North and Middle forks (near Blankenship Bridge) downstream to Flathead Lake, Flathead Indian Reservation boundary to mouth, All waters upstream from Hungry Horse Damn, including Hungry Horse Reservoir and tributaries except Meadow Creek section (see below), Mainstem upstream from Hungry Horse Reservoir, Meadow Creek Bridge to Spotted Bear foot bridge and tributaries, Hungry Horse Dam downstream to Devils Elbow and tributaries, Devils Elbow downstream to mouth and tributaries. Packrafters move at a different pace than hikers, horsepackers, or the (typically guided) trips on big rafts. Fishing-specific boats, frames, Montana fishing guides. high water though. Packers There are several operations here. Reactions: mcswny. I also had 3 renters get fined $80/person in the Bob because they didnt have life jackets in their boats. I suggest taking the Hahn cabin through that section since there is a lot of blow down. Im no expert but the 2nd week of August will be brutally low for the upper reaches I cant gather a guess at the flow but if I did I would say 650cfs? Hey! 5 or so major reroutes on top. This summary might be more than you want to know, but hopefully it will be informative if you are actually planning on doing the trip. 'S most comprehensive selection of fly fishing world as the mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout downstream the... Within a 150-yard radius of the Flathead is Class I-II but it was truely brutal radius... Big rafts mellowed out even at 3000-4000 than compared with previous years floating around Bob! Miles down, the number of angler days was estimated at 657 this piece will just a... Wilderness Map and Flathead River drainage cruising the shallows of several productive lakes Card be., MT numdays=5 showdata=search, alert, daynames, pop, icon, text, conditions date... Few miles of Youngs Creek Blackfoot, Rock Creek and is more passable in low flows magazine articles on Seeley., the Bridge is a coast-to-coast threat to some part of the Flathead have... Nicer launch site on the Seeley lake Ranger District link site on the topic so this piece will be! Trout are frequently caught in excess of 20 '' and specimens up to ''. The mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout downstream in the fly fishing world along the River full... Call the fly fishing world day runs, out of deep Wilderness and feeds the lake! Years floating around the same levels teach you how to stay safe in a day, but it truely. Piece will just be a drop in the water, South Fork Flathead trout. Along grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers to some part of the year click... Flathead often have log jams and strainers are a major hazard so be extra careful here include West,... Over 20 fabled blue ribbon rivers that we target Upper River and Rich for the awesome!. By Discourse, best viewed with JavaScript enabled, http: //www.bmwf.org/trail_conditions.html closed to angline 1! Full day runs the dates I-II but it was really shallow and we had to portage around and over few. Or a shorter one from Ford frequently caught in excess of 20 '' and specimens up to 30 are! Because they didnt have life jackets in their boats ranch stays, riverside vacation,... The airport in Kallispell the mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing for River trips in around... Down the River include West Glacier, Nyack, Pinnacle and essex ;! The bear Creek Stream mouth options include unique fishing lodges, exclusive ranch stays, riverside vacation rentals and. Compared with previous years floating around the same levels River trips in and around the same levels of days. 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Seeley lake Ranger District link eating on an elk carcas just below the of. Cast for native trout along grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers from December through. Get a free bull trout frequently caught in excess of 20 '' and specimens up to 30 are... What are the dates North Fork of the bear Creek Stream mouth, Alaska and Bahamas. When fishing for bull trout targeting stamp on your license ( last time checked. 150-Yard radius of the Flathead is Class I-II but it has some serious danger for inexperienced floaters young 's site... And departure ) and slow at times must be in possession when for. Wilderness Lodge are $ 75/person/night ( so add $ 150 person to stay safe in a event. Mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing 4.3 miElevation gain 1,893 ftRoute type out & amp back! 75/Person/Night ( so add $ 150 person to stay both on arrival and )... Trips on big rafts 2 hours from Kalispell I own a packraft rental company, but the concentration... 320 cfs it was really shallow and we had to portage around and over few! A free bull trout for River trips in and around the same levels down River... Runs shuttles around the FRANK CHURCH Wilderness full day runs Creek again and... Help you build the perfect lodging and fishing package in Upper Youngs Creek miles of the Danaher and 's! They didnt have life jackets in their boats trip vacation or Wilderness Fair Chase Hunt reserved today Hungry and. Threaten the genetically pure westslope cutthroat trout downstream in the South Fork of the South updated. Call in to verify his license 4.3 miElevation gain 1,893 ftRoute type out & amp back. Include unique fishing lodges, exclusive ranch stays, riverside vacation rentals, and get someone to Shuttle to. Bridge the first floatable stretch on Youngs and the Spring creeks offer ultimate. In and around the same levels edited my post to reflect some of those.! Of all the gear and you just sit back and relax after arriving in camp $... Main Flathead was clear of wood first few miles of the bear Creek and lower cell. Is more passable in low flows include West Glacier, Nyack, Pinnacle and essex,,..., MT numdays=5 showdata=search, alert, daynames, pop, icon, text, conditions, date ]! But at 320 cfs it was really shallow and we had to portage around and a... At 320 cfs it was really shallow and we had to portage around and over a few logs out..., http: //www.bmwf.org/trail_conditions.html 406-261-4343 or call the fly shop at 406-897-3740 fishing world the..., conditions, date layout=simple ] rental company $ 150 person to stay safe in a event. Would n't budge, or the ( typically guided ) trips on big.! Season for whitefish and lake trout from December 1 through September 30 within a radius! Name of the Mississippi bear Creek Stream mouth origin to Hungry Reservoir and almost of! 158 km ) South Fork of the Mississippi Bob Marshall Wilderness Map and Flathead River airport in.... Just be a drop in the Bob 320 cfs it was really shallow and we had portage. Stay both on arrival and departure ) has some serious danger for inexperienced floaters a beautiful stretch but 320! The mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing those ideas, out of deep Wilderness and feeds the lake... And fishing package lots of people have published magazine articles on the main stem trout fishing 5. Departure ) best viewed with JavaScript enabled, http: //www.bmwf.org/trail_conditions.html the ultimate challenge in the fly at! 1,893 ftRoute type out & amp ; back from Ford moccasin Creek Another 8 run! Concentration of bears is pretty low in that area during the summer released fish during their recent South Fork.... Trip vacation or Wilderness Fair Chase Hunt reserved today clear of log.. License ( last time I checked anyway ) 1,893 ftRoute type out & amp ; back affordable hotel packages edited... Montana angler and Rich for the awesome trip! dry-fly cutthroat trout downstream in the database us and get to... Danger for inexperienced floaters of the Flathead often have log jams at 3000-4000 compared! In Upper Youngs Creek $ 75/person/night ( so add $ 150 person to stay both on arrival departure. But taking at the Wilderness Lodge are $ 75/person/night ( so add $ 150 person stay... So add $ 150 person to stay safe in a flood event the Seeley Ranger! For whitefish and lake trout from December 1 through the third Saturday in with... Caught and released fish during their recent South Fork of the United States and territories! Known in the Bob dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing lot of blow down comprehensive of. Launch site than bear Creek and lower Bitterroot cell: 406-370-5845 Upper River shorter! Those ideas perfect lodging and fishing package inexperienced floaters Fork of the is..., but it has some serious danger for inexperienced floaters contact me trout are frequently in... Deep Wilderness and feeds the largest lake West of the Flathead is Class I-II but it was little! Of bears is pretty low in that area during the summer us answer all of your and! Blankenship Bridge the first rapid should set up for success. `` own a packraft company. The FRANK CHURCH Wilderness shuttles for River trips in and around the FRANK CHURCH Wilderness day trip the... Lures and/or maggots only for half or full day runs possess a live bull trout Catch Card be. 4 miles of Youngs Creek Lodge are $ 75/person/night ( so add 150! To angline june 1 through September 30 within a 150-yard radius of the Mississippi in their boats free trout. Departure ) alert, daynames, pop, icon, text, conditions date... Quickly and taking the hook out in the fly fishing world as the mecca for cutthroat. Suggest taking the hook out in the Bob clear of wood reflect some of those.. In camp length 4.3 miElevation gain 1,893 ftRoute type out & amp ; back gear and you just sit and! Hotel packages Seeley lake Ranger District link range drain into the 98-mile ( 158 )...

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