North Fork Flathead River - Columbia Falls - Montana
Fly Fishing River Report & Conditions
North Fork Flathead River – Columbia Falls - Water Flow Chart
North Fork Flathead River – Columbia Falls - Weather report & radar
North Fork Flathead River – Columbia Falls - General hatch chart
| Month | Hatch | Time of Day | Recommended Fly Sizes | Popular Fly Patterns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Midge | Afternoon | #18 – #22 | Griffith’s Gnat, Zebra Midge |
| February | Midge | Afternoon | #18 – #22 | Griffith’s Gnat, Zebra Midge |
| March | Midge, Blue Winged Olive | Afternoon | #16 – #20 | BWO Emerger, Parachute BWO |
| April | Blue Winged Olive, Skwala Stonefly | Morning and Afternoon | #12 – #18 | Skwala Dry, BWO Dry |
| May | Blue Winged Olive, Caddis, Salmonfly | Morning and Afternoon | #8 – #18 | Salmonfly Dry, Elk Hair Caddis |
| June | Golden Stonefly, Green Drakes, PMD | Morning and Afternoon | #10 – #16 | Golden Stone, Green Drake Parachute |
| July | Yellow Sally, Caddis, Terrestrials | All Day | #12 – #18 | Yellow Sally Dry, Hopper Patterns |
| August | Terrestrials, Caddis | Morning and Evening | #10 – #16 | Hoppers, Ants, Beetles |
| September | Blue Winged Olive, Mahogany Dun | Morning and Afternoon | #14 – #18 | Parachute BWO, Mahogany Dun Dry |
| October | Blue Winged Olive, October Caddis | Afternoon | #12 – #18 | October Caddis Dry, BWO Emerger |
| November | Midge | Afternoon | #18 – #22 | Zebra Midge, Griffith’s Gnat |
| December | Midge | Afternoon | #18 – #22 | Zebra Midge, Griffith’s Gnat |
North Fork Flathead River – Columbia Falls Access Points
The North Fork Flathead River – Columbia Falls in Montana offers various access points for enthusiasts to fly fish.
- The North Fork Road: This 58-mile-long road runs parallel to the river, offering numerous access points to pull over and fly fish.
- The Big Creek Campground: Located on the west side of Glacier National Park 23 miles north of Columbia Falls, this campground provides ample space to fly fish.
- The Polebridge: A small community located along the river that provides easy access.
- Glacier Rim: Situated south of the Glacier National Park border, this site offers river access for fishing.
- Blankenship Bridge: Located where the North Fork and the Middle Fork of the Flathead River meet, this spot offers an excellent location for fly fishers.
North Fork Flathead River – Columbia Falls Fishing Spots
The North Fork Flathead River near Columbia Falls is an angler’s paradise with great fly fishing spots.
- Big Creek Campground: A popular fly fishing location with abundant cutthroat trout.
- Glacier Rim: Offers impressive mountain views and river access for fly fishing.
- Polebridge: A serene setting that’s ideal for hooking cutthroat and rainbow trout.
- Polebridge Mercantile: Go to North Fork Road in Polebridge for a fantastic fly fishing spot.
- Bowman Lake: Also found in Polebridge, head to the inlet of Bowman Lake for cutthroat trout.
- Ford: Well known for its excellent fly fishing, particularly for bull trout and cutthroats.
- Blankenship Bridge: Perfect for fly fishing from the shore or a watercraft.
North Fork Flathead River – Columbia Falls Local Fish Species
- Rainbow Trout: Known for their vibrant colors and fighting spirit, Rainbow Trout are extremely popular among fly fishermen.
- Westslope Cutthroat Trout: Native to the North Fork Flathead River, these trout are eager biters making them a favorite target for fly anglers.
- Brook Trout: These highly adaptable fish are prevalent in colder, mountain streams making them an ideal catch on the North Fork Flathead River.
- Brown Trout: Less common in the North Fork Flathead River, but a prized catch due to their size and elusive nature.
- Bull Trout: This threatened species is catch and release only. Bull Trout are known for their sizes and aggressive strikes.
- Mountain Whitefish: Not typically targeted by fly fishers, but abundant in the North Fork Flathead River.
- Arctic Grayling: Arctic Grayling are a popular catch due to their stunning, sail-like dorsal fins and aggressive feeding habits.
- Northern Pike: Northern Pike are rare to this area, though some substantial catches have been reported. Release is required if unintentionally caught while targeting other species.
About the North Fork Flathead River – Columbia Falls
The North Fork Flathead River is one of nature’s best-kept secrets. This stunningly beautiful river originates in Canada and flows southwards into Montana, USA, and into the serene town of Columbia Falls. It has remarkable significance to the history and vitality of the region.
Montana’s early settlers relied on this river for fishing, transportation, and water supply. Its crystal-clear waters and surrounding forests are teeming with diverse wildlife, making it an ecological haven to this day.
- The river has been a major transportation route since the early 1800s.
- Its rich pteridophyte life has been studied since 1912 and continues to intrigue scientists.
- Over the years, the river has become a popular recreational spot for kayaking, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Brimming with natural beauty and historical richness, the North Fork Flathead River in Columbia Falls is truly an integral part of Montana’s very fabric.
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