Day 1 you travel the 15 miles to our camp on Young's Cr. The South Fork of the Flathead is a freestone stream, vulnerable to the nuances of runoff, and typically unfishable until mid to late June. For the first few days of the trip, the water meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines. Turn left onto FR 4353 and follow it for a few miles, then turn right on FR 136 and follow the signs to the trailhead. A great section can be fly fished above and below Tin Shanty Road bridge. We will make lunch for the trail, and after a short drive to the trailhead in the morning we will be on our way. 65 miles from the origin to Hungry Reservoir and almost all of it flows through remote wilderness. These mid to late summer expeditions are best experienced when this high country river flows low and clear, and trout willingly rise to attractor patterns. Floating the South Fork of the Flathead River is perhaps one of the finest floats anyone can do in the lower 48. From the Rich Ranch, well get an early start for our drive to the Pyramid or Holland Lake trailhead. Trail 110 begins approximately two miles from Holland Lake (take TR 415 to TR 42 from the trailhead). Guides are usually tipped 10-20% of the cost of the trip, more for exceptional service. If you are planning to target bull trout, A Hungry Horse/South Fork Flathead Bull Trout Catch Card must be in possession. They will not pamper you but will instead tease out your best self to feel as if you belong in the wilderness. A safe time frame to fish the river is between July 15 and October 15. If you need assistance, were happy to help and always show you how the gear works. The South Fork of the Flathead is known in the fly fishing world as the Mecca for dry-fly cutthroat fishing. Groups of 4 or more will average 1.5 pack animals per person when using traditional rafts with frames and regular food. Learn to tie the Pheasant Tail Nymph with master tier Charlie Craven. If you are bringing a large, expensive camera, we recommend you bring a hard waterproof case in which to store it and accessories. Most of our tents are high-quality three-person tents, but we only put two people in each tent. To reach the trailhead, take FR 477 just north of Seeley Lake. Storms can also roll in unexpectedly, and its best to be prepared for anything. Why do you recommend synthetics instead of cotton? Day Before: Travel to Kalispell, Montana (FCA) no later than 3 pm. If hiking in, you will want to have a backpack with your personal gear such as water, layers, snacks, packed lunch, basic first aid, sunscreen, medications, etc. This cold water pretty much killed off the fishing in the South Fork below the dam during the summer, and greatly affected the aquatic hatches on the main stem of the Flathead as well. In years of heavy precipitation it may not fall into shape until after the July 4 holiday. The trail is long and having a gentle mountain horse to bring you in, might just be the way you want to start your river adventure. However you get there, the South Fork of the Flathead River is a place where good fishing and a wonderful experience go hand in hand. The put in and pack in are trip dependent, as different outfitters have different preferences. The South Fork is one of the few places in Montana where anglers can legally target bull trout (char). Middle Fork Flathead River. WRO operates under special recreation permits on BLM land. For most trips, sneakers or a lightweight hiking boot will be fine for side hikes. Any rafts will need to be brought in either on your back or on horse. Access is easy, with numerous designated access sites, and countless unofficial access sites. The South Fork of the Flathead, located in the heart of theBob Marshall Wilderness, is a horsepack in/float out trip of 5-7 days, putting you over feisty Cutthroats to 22 and Bull Trout to 15 pounds. Drop & Float Services In addition to guided fishing trips, we offer drop & float trips on the South Fork of the Flathead River. We will have lunch on the trail and camp on the trail the first night after about 16 miles. Most people enjoy wearing water shoes or sturdy sandals with an ankle strap (popular options include Chacos, Tevas, and Keens). Five days and 35 miles means plenty of time to hike, fish the fat and feisty Cutthroat trout at . Find out why the Chippewa River is the best lazy river for tubing in Michigan with Chippewa River Outfitters. This will be our 4th trip with WRO, and after taking trips with other rafting companies, I can honestly say, WRO is the BEST! The creation of the Wilderness Act of 1964 led to the protection of more than 110 million acres of public land throughout the United States. Please be sure that hooks are single-hooked and barbless. For running powerful Class IV and V rapids, nothing beats an inflatable whitewater kayak. This remote valley, deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness is home to extraordinary wildlife including elk, moose, wolf, eagles, mountain goats, grizzly and black bear. Also wash off all pans and utensils thoroughly, and leave them away from camp too. On the other hand, braving this season has its advantages. Below the dam, the river only runs for 5 miles. Can I bring my own sleeping pad/bag/tent/other gear? See more reasons why were ranked so high on Trip Advisor . The guides equally split the total tip amount from each guest. If driving, you will be able to leave your car at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell. With these trips being in the middle of the summer, the temperatures are very pleasant and walk-and-wade fishing from the bank and on side streams can be done without waders. We do not provide soda or alcohol, except for one night which is a fiesta night in which we provide drinks. Summer temperatures in Montana can fluctuate dramatically in a 24-hour period, from freezing at night to 70-90s the next afternoon. Subscriber Services. Measuring 92 miles (148 km), The Middle Fork Flathead River is located in the western part of the state of Montana in the United States, flowing along the southwestern border of Glacier National Park. We do offer chartered trips. For the Meadow Creek Gorge section, it is intense, exciting whitewater, and depending on the weather, you will probably want to consider having extra layers and splash gear. Old running sneakers can also work well as river shoes. We provide transportation back to Kalispell from either the Meadow Creek trailhead after a three mile hike if not running the gorge (1 hour hike, 3 hour drive plus mule packing gear unload), or from the Spotted Bear Bridge takeout (3 hour drive) if rafting the gorge. Rafts typically take one and a half pack animals, two rafts take three pack animals, and max load weight per pack animal is 150lbs. The scenery on the ride portion of the trip is spectacular. Other trout species on the Flathead have possession limitations (Cutthroat: <3/ day <12 inches, other trout: 5/day total and only 1/day over 14 inches), but you will typically not keep fish on multi-day trips. ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS FOR HORSE PACK TRIPS. How will I keep my phone/camera/other valuable items safe from the elements? The South Fork of the Flathead is known in the fly fishing world as the mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing. The South Fork of the Flathead River is Montanas crown jewel in terms of remote rivers. Phones can be placed in a ziploc bag or water proof case and put in your day bag if you would like to have it accessible for taking pictures during the day. A Seat with a View on the South Fork Flathead River. Each day will be different, with varying options for hiking, exploring, swimming, fishing, and great lunch stops. Booking fishing-specific trips on the South Fork Flathead ensures that you have a fishing frame and a fishing guide, and will fish most of the day. The run through the gorge is dependent on the river level, the gorge being clear of logjams and guide discretion. A variety of car rentals are available should you decide to visit Glacier National Park before or after your trip. Terrestrial patterns, particularly hoppers, also are excellent to use in July and August. 12359800. n/a. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The South Fork of the Flathead trip begins and ends in Kalispell, Montana (FCA). These are very comfortable and fit very nicely in our gear bags. However, if you want to match the South Fork's hatches, expect to see a smattering of Pale Morning Duns, caddis, and stoneflies. The drop float service is a one way service. Occasionally hiking members can pack a few beers on their personal backpack, but one can imagine we need to keep these quantities limited. To even contemplate going through this gorge will require a very small, tough raft, whitewater inflatable kayak or hard shell kayak, as any large raft is quite likely to get frequently stuck and require countless portages. This section of wilderness is absolutely remote, but with WRO I felt completely safe and in good hands. Please check your entries and try again. Other than the Meadow Creek Gorge area, a wade fisherman can access virtually any segment of this river, spending weeks if not months exploring every pool, run and riffle. Belly; Big Hole; Lower Clark Fork; South Fork Flathead; Swan: NE: 1895: 1992: 6: . We start the trip with a two-day ride (or hike) through spectacular scenery through the Bob Marshall wilderness to access the starting point of the float, then spend five days fly-fishing some of the most pristine water in Montana. We will camp the final night above the Meadow Creek Gorge to prepare for our short hike out the next morning. Fall is also the time aspens, tamaracks, and cottonwoods turn yellow and elk bugle from the surrounding slopes. Copyright 2017 Montana River Outfitters - Site by. We will need to have our gear ready that evening or very early the next morning (especially if youve chosen to use horse support). We will have lunch on the trail and camp on the trail the first night after about 16 miles. The trout in this river are eager to please, and on a good day, anglers with nothing more than a #12 Royal Wulff may raise 30 or more fish and bring at least half to the net. Summer also registers a fair amount of backpacking and horse packing visitors, although a person is unlikely to see more than a couple parties of people once away form the popular day hiking trails on the edge of the wilderness area. Available in both print and digital. Day 8: We will arrive at Mid-Creek takeout and there will be a three mile hike to the Meadow Creek trailhead, which takes about an hour. You won't see masses of insects like on other Western rivers, but there are enough to trigger fish's appetites. Seth has worked hard to make the trip work for ALL of us. If we say we want to paddle on a paddle boat, are we committed to paddling the entire trip? Half-Day Scenic Float Full-Day Whitewater With Riverside Lunch . Weather can be variable in the Montana wilderness, so be sure to have warm layers for around camp. In addition to guided fishing trips, we offer drop & float trips on the South Fork of the Flathead River. When fishing for cutthroats try all the famous attractor dry flies like Black Humpies, Royal Wulffs, Renegades, and Trudes, as well as Elk-hair Caddis, Parachute Adams, Goddard Caddis, Caddis Variants, flying ants, and foam beetles. While on the river you will get wet going through rapids (what fun would it be if you didnt?!). I believe those reports, but today fish average between 8 and 14 inches with an occasional 17- to 20-inch fish. The three forks offer opportunities for day floats from vehicle accessed sites, thrilling whitewater stretches, and permitted guided trips for day and overnight experiences. If we camp above the gorge and do not raft it, we will arrive at Mid-Creek takeout and there will be a three mile hike to the Meadow Creek trailhead, which takes about an hour. S F Flathead R ab Twin C nr Hungry Horse MT. WRO operates under special use permits on the Salmon-Challis and Flathead National Forests. Cast for native trout along grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers. Wildlife, Whitewater Rafting, Fishing, Hiking, Backpacking, Horseback Riding, Rafting, 8 Days, 43 miles of river, 22-29 miles of trail, Hike/ trail ride through Bob Marshall Wilderness, High adventure whitewater (Meadow Creek Gorge section). Copyright 2023 Wilderness River Outfitters. South Fork Flathead River packrafting. Awesome trip! The North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork have different origins and personalities, each a different river until they merge to form the main stem of the Flathead River. How old does my child have to be to participate? In addition, fall brings spruce moths to the water. After the trip: Face and body wipes also work well for helping stay clean. Rates are $300 per animal for both riding and pack animals. Can I bring my own sleeping pad/bag/tent/other gear? The South Fork of the Flathead River is a different beast. Learn to tie the versatile Hare's Ear with master tier Charlie Craven. Your river and/or hiking clothes can double as camp clothes, but you are welcome to bring something else if you would like, such as a cotton shirt, an athletic dress/skirt for women, dry pants, layers or some fiesta-wear. The fishing in the South Fork of the Flathead River is, quite simply, excellent above Hungry Horse Reservoir for cutthroat trout, especially the portion of the river that lies in the wilderness area. Check out more about the Flathead River. On Newstands March 3rd! Special regulations and limits apply when fishing in the wilderness portion of the South Fork. However, if youre not, heres something else to consider before putting that trout into the frying pan. RM 83-82: White . This day bag is 9 inches in diameter and 20 inches tall. You will head to the trail the next morning (the official starting date of your trip) and start the hike or pack in. The Middle Fork runs for approximately 92 miles and forms the southwestern boundary of Glacier National Park. Your trip leader will put on an orientation around 6 pm at the Rich Ranch. Usually we would reach the river mid afternoon the second day camping at the river the second night. The South Fork of the Flathead begins deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness at the confluence of Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek. Jul 31, 2014 Updated Aug 5, 2014. Our South Fork Flathead classic adventure trips are typically WRO adventure-style paddle boating. For well information this can be a district-assigned local number. Pretty much any caddis fly or mayfly imitation in size 10-14 works just fine. Please be mindful of this when planning your gear for the trip. Dispose of all entrails and uneaten portions far away from where you are camped. Westslope cutthroats are blue-collar fish that work hard for their living. To simply reach the interior of the Bob frequently requires hikes or horse packs of several days. This remote valley deep in the. Please arrive by 10:15 AM for a prompt departure at 10:30 AM. Some exceptions might be considered based on a child's experience with multi-day camping, hiking, horseback riding and rafting. Aug 15, 2019. This dry fly can be tied to match any mayfly. The South Fork Flathead above the Meadow Creek gorge is mostly scenic, with small sections of mellow class II whitewater, so you will not be getting wet that often on this trip versus some of our more whitewater-oriented trips. EVE BYRON. During your registration, you will note your boat preferences so we can plan accordingly. People using pack rafts, dehydrated food and backpacking gear get by with dramatically less. The last day includes a casual float and fishing from the boat. The rapids are rated class 2 and 3, making for a fun and . Upon reaching the Meadow Creek Pack Bridge, it is a short hike into the wilderness. USGS. Westslope cutts prefer a big meal so use large hooks when you can (size 8-14). The Flathead River represents the combined flow of hundreds of headwater creeks funneled from the glacial cirques of Glacier National Park and other wild places within the U.S. and Canada. They also keep you warmer when wet. If you fish after mid-October, carry appropriate winter clothing and survival gear. See Special License Requirements for application information. Spey fishing is a unique way to fish for bull trout in the Flathead. Everyone is also issued a large waterproof bag for your personal gear and clothing. Fly-fishing can also be quite difficult around Meadow Creek Pack Bridge and upstream for a number of miles since the river is cloaked in dense forest. The South Fork Flathead is catch and release only for bull trout, and a Hungry Horse/South Fork Flathead Bull Trout Catch Card must be in possession when fishing for Bull Trout. The river in this area is dangerous to fish and most anglers begin fishing outside the gorge. WRO operates under special use permits on the Salmon-Challis and Flathead National Forests. Wilderness River Outfitters and Trail Expeditions Inc is an equal opportunity provider. 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