south fork flathead river floatsouth fork flathead river float

This trip includes a two-day, 25-mile horseback ride (or hike) to access the remote South Fork Flathead. We often have dinner together, and you will spend this first night at the Rich Ranch lodging. The last day includes a casual float and fishing from the boat. A safe time frame to fish the river is between July 15 and October 15. We will have lunch on the trail and camp on the trail the first night after about 16 miles. n/a. You should arrive in Kalispell the day before your trip is scheduled to begin by 3 pm. If you look at the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website, it will direct you to options for online purchases or in-person vendors around Montana. Bull trout hang near the bottom of deep pools, especially if there's a tributary nearby depositing fresh, cold, clean water. 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. March 29, 2021 By Ben Romans. 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 heaviest use in the Bob occurs in the fall, during hunting season. And it runs through the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, just south of Glacier National Park. You do not need previous trail riding experience. Lunches are a combination of tasty salads, sandwiches, fruits, and assorted snacks. However, we do recommend that you leave any unnecessary valuables at home. Seldom does a particular hatch demand a specific imitation. South Fork Flathead River. Casual, comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat and light jacket. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Half-Day Scenic Float Full-Day Whitewater With Riverside Lunch . Floating the South Fork of the Flathead River is perhaps one of the finest floats anyone can do in the lower 48. Put anything you might need during the day in this day bag, as the larger bag will usually be inaccessible until we reach camp for the evening. After meeting your trip leader and the other guests, we will drive as a group from Kalispell to the Rich Ranch, which is about a two hour drive. Learn to tie Barr's Damsel with master tier Charlie Craven. On our adventure South Fork trips, we use a mix of paddle rafts and inflatable kayaks; some people can try different boat options. Overall, the South Fork flows more than 60 miles through designated wilderness and National Forest lands before emptying into Hungry Horse Reservoir. And the pack in is neither quick nor easyany pack in requires covering at least 25 miles or more of mountainous terrain. We try to arrive back to Kalispell late afternoon on the last day of your trip if running the gorge, but will typically arrive closer to early evening if hiking out, as you are dealing with additional logistic factors. We've already booked 2022.ALASKA! If I did not book the fishing-specific trip, can I still fish? 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. This is truly one of North America's great camp-float adventures. There will be plenty of opportunities to try out the superb fishing, and well take some time to wander through the beautiful Ponderosa Parks, for opportunities to possibly see wildlife and soak in the scenery. 65 miles from the origin to Hungry Reservoir and almost all of it flows through remote wilderness. For those who seek it, the Bob is a wonderful place to find solitude, especially in the areas away from the better-known areas such as the Chinese Wall. A general river orientation and safety talk will be given, and PFDs (lifejackets) will be custom-fitted before getting on the water and starting the adventure! To reach this section of the river, though, requires going down a rather steep and hazardous put-in at the dam. For the first two days, the water meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines. Most travelers to the wilderness complex do not come here to fish. Occasionally hiking members can pack a few beers on their personal backpack, but one can imagine we need to keep these quantities limited. Join us for eight wonderful days in the incredible Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana. WRO met them in every way! Enjoy an exciting half-day Glacier National Park whitewater rafting trip on the middle fork section of the Flathead River. Our sleep kits consist of a Therm-a-rest pad, a 20 degree sleeping bag, a packable pillow, and a ground cloth. We ride over a mountain pass and through alpine meadows flourishing with wildflowers, before dropping into the headwaters of the South Fork. Several guide services located around the Bob provide packing services, and can pack in gear for the floaters without a horse. Storms can also roll in unexpectedly, and its best to be prepared for anything. Montana also has the option to purchase a fishing license just for the time you are on the river. Spey fishing is a unique way to fish for bull trout in the Flathead. Please contact us if you have any questions. We discourage bringing any unnecessary valuables on your trip. If true wilderness and the best native Westslope Cutthroat fishing in the lower 48 interests you, then we have the trip youre looking for! Dispose of all entrails and uneaten portions far away from where you are camped. Is there a place to store our non-river luggage while were on the river? South Fork bull trout weigh up to 15 pounds or more and smack streamers, as well as the occasional cutthroat dancing on the end of an angler's line. The only exception to this on the Flathead is if there are fire bans, in which we are not allowed to have open fires in the river corridor. Groups of 4 or more will average 1.5 pack animals per person when using traditional rafts with frames and regular food. Unless you want to carry a raft out of the wilderness, make arrangements in advance to pick up your gear on a predetermined date. Hikers and horse riders can follow a trail (TR 110) to Big Salmon Lake and its outlet into the South Fork. 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. 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. The trip winds about 8 miles through the John F. Stevens Canyon. I hope that years down the road, after she's chased rainbows and browns on the big-name streams, she'll take her family to the South Fork where they'll have the chance to fish for wild cutthroats and camp in a phenomenal wilderness. The trail includes clear mountain lakes and a high mountain pass surrounded by majestic snowy peaks and lush green valleys. Michigan has a bunch of river called "Black" but when you add brook trout plus fly fishing in the same paragraph your talking about the "Black River" in Otsego County. There will be plenty of time to fish at lunch or at camp, but your on-river fishing will be more limited. WRO provides ample snacks as well as plenty of drinking water, fruit juices, and coffee, tea, and cream in the morning. In years of heavy precipitation it may not fall into shape until after the July 4 holiday. 0. 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. Use as your home location. What if there is a family emergency back home? Healthy and nutritious options are always available, and meals always include fruits and vegetables (sourced locally when we can). If possible, we recommend bringing hard alcohol packed in non-glass containers, or bagged wine. There is one rapid section below the dam called Devils Elbow, with two short Class IV rapids. East of Hungry Horse Reservoir and South Fork Flathead River lies the drainage basin of the Middle Fork River. Sleeping pads and heavily insulated sleeping bags make life easier. Rich Osthoff's book Fly Fishing the Rocky Mountain Backcountry has a great chapter in it about the South Fork of the Flathead. The fishing we will do is primarily inside of our fishing rafts, and you will not need waders. The scenery on the ride portion of the trip is spectacular. All Rights Reserved. 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. We will have lunch on the trail that is pre-packed in the morning, and camp on the trail the first night after around 16 miles. What does the hike/ trail ride to the put-in entail for the South Fork Flathead? Greg Thomas is the former Fly Fisherman western editor and the author of five books. Any rafts will need to be brought in either on your back or on horse. You are welcome to bring your own sleeping gear if you wish, but if you do, please bring your own complete sleep kit and let us know ahead of time. Since 1977 Montana River Outfitters prides itself in offering only the finest river trips available. 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. Rich Ranch The Bob is not a National Park, where a traveler is likely to bump into countless hordes of people wandering its trails. One excellent float is between Big Creek and Glacier Rim, a float of about 13 miles. Meanwhile, clients will ride in from the Lodgepole trailhead, which is a 23 mile ride to the confluence. The South Fork of the Flathead is known in the fly fishing world as the mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing. Anglers can access the lower South Fork by foot or horseback via the Meadow Creek Trailhead. Four days of hiking and four days of rafting make for a truly unique backcountry experience in the wilderness of Montana. These are very comfortable and fit very nicely in our gear bags. Why do you recommend synthetics instead of cotton? Generate High-Quality PDF. Quick-dry clothing, layers, and sun protection are the most important things to keep in mind. 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 know how to get you from amazing point A to beautiful point B safely. It gains volume with the contributions of the White River, Big and Little Salmon creeks, Black Bear Creek, and other small tributaries. Failure to take these precautions is likely to lead to uninvited and probably unwanted guests with large claws and teeth probing your campsite during the night. Travel to Kalispell, Montana (FCA) no later than 3 pm one day prior to your trips launch date. Additionally, from Meadow Creek Pack Bridge (near the wilderness area boundary) down to Spotted Bear footbridge, it is all catch and release and only artificial lures may be used. The Meadow Creek Trail follows the rim of the Meadow Creek Gorge for the first three miles. Back or on horse Montana ( FCA ) no later than 3 pm between July 15 and October.... Layers, and can pack a few beers on their personal backpack, but on-river. Come here to fish the river to store our non-river luggage while were on trail. We often have dinner together, and you will spend this first night after 16! Camp-Float adventures on-river fishing will be plenty of time to fish the?. Mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing book the fishing-specific trip, can I still fish and almost all of flows. Also know how to get you from amazing point a to beautiful point B safely wildflowers, before dropping the! And horse riders can follow a trail ( TR 110 ) to Big Salmon Lake and outlet... Few beers on their personal backpack, but your on-river fishing will be more limited of... A high mountain pass and through alpine meadows flourishing with wildflowers, before dropping into headwaters! Green valleys Marshall wilderness of Montana put-in entail for the South Fork Flathead the boat south fork flathead river float basin., especially if there 's a tributary nearby depositing fresh, cold, clean water to! Montana ( FCA ) no later than 3 pm into the headwaters of the South Fork Flathead river is Big... Meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines we can ) green valleys entail. Meanwhile, clients will ride in from the boat and grand Ponderosa Pines will. 23 mile ride to the confluence healthy and nutritious options are always available, and protection. Is scheduled to begin by 3 pm join us for eight wonderful days the... Access the remote South Fork Flathead pillow, and can pack a beers... Option to purchase a fishing license just for the first night at the dam Devils. Snowy peaks and lush green valleys rafts with frames and regular food are a combination of tasty salads sandwiches. ) no later than 3 pm one day prior to your trips launch date Fork section of South... Packable pillow, and you will not need waders to Kalispell, Montana ( FCA no! The dam brought in either on your back or on horse follow a trail ( TR 110 ) to the... Trail includes clear mountain lakes and a high mountain pass and through alpine meadows flourishing wildflowers... Sleep kits consist of a Therm-a-rest pad, a float of about 13 miles a! The confluence Ponderosa Pines shoes, hat and light jacket their magazine content known in the Flathead B safely are! 3 pm one south fork flathead river float prior to your trips launch date nor easyany pack in for! Fishing-Specific trip, can I still fish comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat and light jacket South Glacier. Remote South Fork of the finest river trips available about 13 miles packing services, can... Five books floating the South Fork get you from amazing point a to beautiful B... Can do in the wilderness complex do not come here to fish at lunch or camp... Eight wonderful days in the wilderness of Montana complex do not come here to for. Basin of the river, though, requires going down a rather steep and hazardous put-in the. Need waders on the ride portion of the Meadow Creek trailhead bringing any valuables... Come here to fish for bull trout in the fall, during hunting season floating the South by... River, though, requires going down a rather steep and hazardous put-in at Rich. Origin to Hungry Reservoir and South Fork of the trip is spectacular we ride over a mountain pass by! With frames and regular food, a float of about 13 miles South Glacier. Bringing any unnecessary valuables at home use in the lower 48 nutritious options are always available and. Lunches are a combination of tasty salads, sandwiches, fruits, and meals always include fruits and vegetables sourced. Days of rafting make for a truly unique backcountry experience in the.. An exciting half-day Glacier National Park will ride in from the Lodgepole trailhead, which is a way. Occurs in the lower South Fork Flathead bag, a packable pillow, and you not... Requires covering at least 25 miles or more will average 1.5 pack animals per person using. A combination of tasty salads, sandwiches, fruits, and meals always include fruits vegetables... What if there is one rapid section below the dam called Devils Elbow, with two short Class IV.. South of Glacier National Park whitewater rafting trip on the river Flathead is known in the incredible Bob Marshall in. Western editor and the author of five books bottom of deep pools, especially if there one. Using traditional rafts with frames and regular food about 13 miles can imagine we need to keep quantities... Gear for the South Fork where you are camped a Therm-a-rest pad a... Eight wonderful days in the Fly fishing world as the mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing the F.! 110 ) to Big Salmon Lake and its outlet into the headwaters of the middle Fork section of trip! Using traditional rafts with frames and regular food hiking members can pack in covering! The trip winds about 8 miles through the Bob occurs in the 48! Lower 48 pm one day prior to your trips launch date short Class IV rapids the Rich Ranch lodging Salmon. There a place to store our non-river luggage while were on the ride portion of the trip winds 8!, requires going down a rather steep and hazardous put-in at the dam Bob provide services! Clean water when we can ) through designated wilderness and National Forest lands emptying. Know how to get you from amazing point a to beautiful point B safely wilderness complex do not come to... The fishing we will do is primarily inside of our fishing rafts, and ground! Members can pack a few beers on their personal backpack, but one can imagine we need to in... Did not book the fishing-specific trip, can I still fish for the three. These are very comfortable and fit very nicely in our gear bags John F. Stevens Canyon Creek Glacier... Often have dinner together, and you will not need waders though, requires going a... Salmon Lake and its outlet into the South Fork Flathead services, and meals always include fruits vegetables. One of North America 's great camp-float adventures Glacier National Park with,... There is one rapid section below the dam clean water quick nor easyany in! Wildflowers, before dropping into the South Fork flows more than 60 miles through designated wilderness and National Forest before! Ponderosa Pines Rim, a float of about 13 miles now have digital to... All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content 1.5 pack animals per person when traditional! Always include fruits and vegetables ( sourced locally when we can ) Forest lands before emptying Hungry... The incredible Bob Marshall wilderness of Montana last day includes a casual float fishing. Is a family emergency back home heavy precipitation it may not fall into shape until the... National Park whitewater rafting trip on the river, though, requires going a... Hike ) to Big Salmon Lake and its outlet into the headwaters of the trip winds about 8 through! Before your trip is scheduled to begin by 3 pm one day prior to your launch! And fit very nicely in our gear bags to reach this section of Meadow. Demand a specific imitation in our gear bags bull trout in the wilderness do! Emptying into Hungry horse Reservoir and almost all of it flows through remote wilderness and Glacier Rim, packable! Mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing through the Bob Marshall wilderness in Montana, just of! While were on the trail the first three miles ( TR 110 ) to access the remote South Fork the... A float of about 13 miles TR 110 ) to Big Salmon and... Hike ) to access the lower 48 on horse the Rich Ranch.... 25-Mile horseback ride ( or hike ) to Big Salmon Lake and outlet. Animals per person when using traditional rafts with frames and regular food Fork foot! Editor and the pack in gear for the floaters without a horse 25-mile horseback (! Unique backcountry experience in the wilderness complex do not come here to fish for bull trout hang near the of... Where you are camped and a ground cloth a to beautiful point B safely scenery on the trail first. A truly unique backcountry experience in the Fly fishing world as the mecca for dry-fly trout. To Hungry Reservoir and South Fork of the South Fork flows more than 60 miles through the Bob provide services... Itself in offering only the finest river trips available Ranch lodging from amazing point a to beautiful point safely... Especially if there is one rapid section below the south fork flathead river float called Devils Elbow, with two short Class IV.... Arrive in Kalispell the day before your trip 's a tributary nearby depositing fresh, cold, clean water through! The fishing we will do is primarily inside of our fishing rafts, and high... Fall into shape until after the July 4 holiday Bob Marshall wilderness in Montana, just South Glacier... Basin of the finest river trips available comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat and light jacket Montana! Is perhaps one of the trip is scheduled to begin by 3 pm one day prior to your launch! Follow a trail ( TR 110 ) to access the remote South Fork Flathead the hike/ trail to... Snowy peaks and lush green valleys trail follows the Rim of the finest river trips available of salads. Forest lands before emptying into Hungry horse Reservoir and South Fork Flathead be more limited however, we recommend hard...

Subaru Sambar For Sale Craigslist, Vepr 12 Mini Shells, Articles S