It was really shallow and we had to portage around and over a few logs. Fishing more for bull trout, because you won't catch as many cut-throats and the ones you catch will be bigger, 8. the scenery is unbelievable from the shallow parts of the river where you see the beautiful rocks on the bottom to the tops of the mountains. I've heard there was some significant blow down on the pass in 2019 and I'm not sure how much of it got cleared on the trail by the end of the season. Imagine floating into a deluxe camp on one of our private ranches or permitted islands where cold beverages and tasty appetizers await. Anglers will fly into Kalispell and drive or get shuttled to the Wilderness Lodge near the Spotted Bear trailhead (or stay the night in a local hotel and drive to the trailhead early the next morning). Its below 1100 right now You probably would probably want to put in at least below Big Praire probably White River best bet? Youngs Creek Pass off of Lodgepole Trail Head(just north of Ovando, MT) and the The third day of the trip will be spent wade fishing the upper reaches of the South Fork as the gear team transitions gear from the horse pack to floating portion of the trip. our trips were bad for mosquitoes and we have only seen one bear (black) in all It is also very remote. The South Fork is formed from the junction of Danaher Creek and Young's Creek and runs for 45 miles due north, fed by dozens of small tributaries, where it exits the wilderness near Spotted Bear Ranger Station. any hydros that will kill you) but there are lots of rocks and you will probably These issues included transportation options for personnel, equipment and materials, the use of motorized equipment in wilderness, fish removal methods, fish stocking, and the status and . We all made it through without swimming but was more exciting than I had anticipated. It is both easy and understandable to go hog wild the first time a 50+ fish day is available to you, but in my opinion its only ethically defensible to do this once in your life. Inside its perimeter, a variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears, roam without modern intrusions, and hundreds of miles of clean, cold creeks and rivershome to one of the strongest wild cutthroat populations in the statesnake between mountain crevices and through sweeping valleys. There is a flood warning for the Yaak River near Troy that was flowing at 8.7 feet on Tuesday. Length 4.3 miElevation gain 1,893 ftRoute type Out & back. By the time we hit the rapids before the Mid Creek Takeout the river was at about 3000 cfs and they were easy class ii+ iii- but are worth looking at to find the best line. Hungry Horse Reservoir discounts - what to see at Flathead County - check out reviews and 6 photos for Hungry Horse Reservoir - popular attractions, hotels, and restaurants near Hungry Horse Reservoir Closed to angline June 1 through September 30 within a 150-yard radius of the Bear Creek Stream mouth. Nice mellow float through here. and paddle hard through the rapid. Hike from Lodgepole Creek to the upper Youngs took twice as long as it should have due to hundreds (probably thousands) of downed trees on trail. The Bob Marshall Wilderness in northwest Montana is one of those rare places where people can truly experience the outdoors in. Gin clear water is an understatement. Streams running off the east side of the range drain into the 98-mile (158 km) South Fork Flathead River. Talk to the rangers and get a tour. It flows out of deep wilderness and feeds the largest lake west of the Mississippi. Full transparency: I own a packraft rental company, Backcountry Packraft Rentals, so my business benefits greatly from the popularity of this river. To reserve your trip email Bobmarshallwilderness12@gmail.com or Call Trent Osburn (406)321-0984 We are Bob Marshall Wilderness Outfitters specializing in summer and early fall traditional horseback family vacations. The logistics of fishing the Flathead river from a boat are not easy. Often you can fish multiple blue ribbon rivers in the same day. Call them directly at 406-261-4343 or call the fly shop at 406-897-3740. The South Fork Flathead River heads in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and flows from south to north, eventually ending up in Hungry Horse Reservoir before joining the Middle Fork near Columbia Falls, Montana. From Bear Creek to the confluence you can access the river from the highway at multiple locations. Not sure where one of the other reports came up with just 1 portage? Paola Creek 8 miles makes this a good half day float in higher water from Essex. Having your fires below the high water mark. After the gorge and confluence, we didn't have to portage again. I just got back from the SF Flathead. Mid Creek Takout This is where you will takeout from the Wilderness float. We put in on Young's Creek just above where Babcock flows in late on our second day and paddled about a mile till we reached the first portage. The South Fork is also one of the few places in Montana where the threatened bull trout may be directly targeted by anglers. River's Edge in Deer Lodge - Does Upper river down to Gold Creek and Jens. Or extend it to the next one. Not cutting other boats off or paddling through fishing holes that people are fishing, 7. The car would literally be sitting there not used for 8 days. T0 Bob Marshall Wilderness Outfitters!! One near Blackbear Creek- stay on the inside of the river and not where the current takes you on the outside to avoid a couple large boulders. But, this pristine wilderness is rather . June 24-30 You must log in or register to reply here. You will hike out 3 miles from the take-out to the Not a bad thing as they typically focus on whitewater and pick up fishing trips on the side. Trip Highlights. Ford 14 miles down makes this a good day trip option. 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. On a different trip into the Bob we had to turn around and go back because my friend's fishing license had disappeared out of his pack. 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. Wildlife is found in copious abundance in the "Bob" where grizzly bears, black bear, elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, mule deer, mountain lion, lynx, wolf and bald eagles all roam and fly in healthy numbers. The South Fork of the Flathead runs through the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, just south of Glacier National Park. In Flathead Lake, where they achieve trophy sizes of up to 25 pounds, the Bull Trout life cycle has been studied extensively. We offer a 7 day adventure (6 day option also available) that takes you into the best westslope cutthroat and bull trout river in the country, the beautiful, remote South Fork of the Flathead. Aug 9-15, (Guests should plan on flying into Kalispell the night before the trip departs and fly home the day after), $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) Includes rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and grayling. For The South Fork of the Flathead is known in the fly fishing world as the Mecca for dry-fly cutthroat fishing. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel . The rivers, streams and lakes of Yellowstone National Park hold a special place in the hearts of many anglers. All that West Glacier 6 miles down and convenient to the town of West Glacier and the entrance to Glacier National Park. But it doesn't make sense to rent a vehicle for 8 days just to have it sit unattended. possible because it gets hot on the south side of the pass and there isnt -Bryan G. Explore the largest wilderness complex in the lower 48 on these all inclusive fly fishing adventures to the Bob Marshall Wilderness. All camping and fishing equipment is provided. While on the water we might see only one other boat in 20 miles, while those users might see 4-5 different packraft parties in the same time period. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Bob Marshall Wilderness Float Trip (7 day). Contact us and get your Wilderness Pack Trip Vacation or Wilderness Fair Chase Hunt reserved today! Spring creeks offer the ultimate challenge in the fly fishing world. The South Fork of the Flathead River is a different beast. Information related to travelling to Montana: which airports to fly into, major towns, etc. We saw many beached fishing boats but few while paddling. second we started from Bench Mark (West of Augusta, MT) and went in on the The fishing in this stretch, however, has a chance to become a much better fishery in the years ahead. These lunkers act like an anadromous species, migrating upstream every July from Hungry Horse Reservoir. Our summer pack trips are by horses and mules and generally range from 5 to 10 days in length. . Fishing-specific boats, frames, Montana fishing guides. (406) 321-0984 Not all locations fish well every month but there is always something peaking on any given week. You can go in from Holland Lake or reach Youngs Creek from Ovando area trailheads. And the outfitter provided a shuttle service, taking our car from the trailhead on the SW side of the wilderness area to the Meadow . Weather in the Northern Rockies can be fickle and it is always a good idea to come prepared regardless of the season. Our half day scenic float was Amazing. If you just have a day or two to spare, day trips are a great way to experience Montana's legendary fisheries. Thus, it wont affect my personal trips for the immediate future. The first and third times I did it via Youngs Creek Site cast to trophy trout cruising the shallows of several productive lakes. Gauging Station Access below the dam and float into the main-stem. 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. Things like camping and building fires below the high water mark, camping out of sight of the trail, selecting earth toned gear, and limiting how many fish they catch and release. Extended whitefish season and catch-and-release for trout open December 1 to third Saturday in May with artificial lures and/or maggots only. It was my first time taking Youngs gorge after 3 trips on the S. Fork and it was everything I had in me not to flip. Flexible dates Buses and Shuttles in Missoula Beargrass Adventures 406.218.8886 Missoula, MT Nearby Partner Montana Adventure Shuttle, LLC 406.493.2345 Local Business Mountain Line 406.721.3333 1221 Shakespeare Local Business Other Buses and Shuttles in Missoula Beach Transportation http://www.beachtrans.com 825 Mount Avenue 406.549.6121 Hey Infrastructure, Im interested in doing the Youngs Creek/SF Flathead this year as well. View Stream Flow Data . June 30-July 6 The wilderness mountain settings, clear waters, campfires, wilderness lakes and streams, and superb fishing will wash away worldly cares. There is no restaurant in Hungry Horse that has all three of the magic July 24-30 Plus lots of people have published magazine articles on the topic so this piece will just be a drop in the bucket. Packrafters move at a different pace than hikers, horsepackers, or the (typically guided) trips on big rafts. Writing, photographing, hunting, fishing and exploring full-time. The fisheries in the Bob Marshall are just as pristine and prolific as they were in the days of the Lewis and Clark expedition and provide an unequaled opportunity to target the native west slope cutthroat trout and the bull trout. hiked almost two days and then floated two more. For well information this can be a district-assigned local number. Options include all inclusive fishing lodges, convenient hotel packages and unique river front vacation cabins and homes. I suggest getting both the National Geographic Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex map and the Flathead National Forest Three Forks of the Flathead Float Guide. Anglers fish all up and down this road with waders and the fishing is superb. - Dave Reese photo Montana Destinations: Schafer Meadows Fly-In Schafer Meadows is a wilderness holdout By DAVID REESE/Montana LivingThe clang of the mule's bell sounds constantly in the pasture at Schafer Ranger Station. I have done all my trips in July and only been There were no less than 7 and I think 9 Mandatory portages on Youngs between Babcock and the Gorge. 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. OPTION to fly into Spotted Bear: depending on your dates it may be possible to fly into Spotted Bear via small aircraft. These four fisheries are very restrictive because bull trout are listed as a threatened Invasive Muscles are a part of life now in Montana and raft inspections are now mandatory for all rafts entering the Bob. 531-0003 MISSOURI AND DEARBORN RIVERS Missouri River Trout Shop, Craig 1-800-337-8528 or 406-235-4474 Ready to float? We also offer fair chase Wilderness Elk & Mule Deer hunts at our remote camp.Your comfort, enjoyment, safety and satisfaction are of the utmost importance to us. The trail from Pyramid Pass is about 2 miles longer but it gets us up onto Youngs Creek faster. Start smallmouth bass fishing here. The South Fork of the Flathead, located in the heart of the Bob 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. To the northeast, the Middle Fork of the Flathead River as it flows beside Glacier National Park. Experience the wilds of Montana on a multi-day horse pack adventure. wilderness areas in the lower-48. All camping and fishing equipment is provided. your eyes peeled for huckleberries on the way). I've seen one Black bear and have had a handful of customers report black bear sightings on the river. [wunderground location=Columbia Falls, MT numdays=5 showdata=search,alert,daynames,pop,icon,text,conditions,date layout=simple]. There is one spot that gave us a bit of adrenaline about 2 miles before the meadow Creek gorge take out. We offer both full and half day options. Drink some tang and have an Oreo. Sportsmans Bridge Obvious access site. Unfortunately most of those articles are more on the inspiring side and less on the practical, which is what this article sets out to do. Class III-IV rapids require experienced boaters through here as well. It is located in one of the largest Best decision we made was to stay at. Youre pretty much walking into a small 1870s View Stream Flow Data. Legal fishing season for bull trout usually closes on July 31. The drive to Spotted Bear is about 2 hours from Kalispell. It might be inevitable that it will be a permitted river just because of the sheer number of vessels packrafting brings but this will slow it. Sonja - Lower River. for huckberries on the way down. The FWP biologists have also reported a significant increase in evidence of caught and released fish during their recent South Fork surveys. It is also one of the only places you can There's a nice recovery pool right after so your raft won't wash down stream ahead of you. Adult Bull Trout ascend the North and Middle forks of the Flathead River to spawn in small tributary streams; in some cases traveling well over 100 miles in a few months. The project will remove hybrid trout from 21 lakes in the South Fork Flathead drainage, treating one or two per year over a 10-year period. Recreational opportunities. 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Few logs significant increase in evidence of caught and released fish during their recent South Fork surveys of private. The ultimate challenge in the same day Youngs Creek from Ovando area trailheads or 406-235-4474 Ready to float sizes. Them directly at 406-261-4343 or call the fly fishing world a significant increase in of... To 25 pounds, the Middle Fork of the range drain into the main-stem Does Upper River down to Creek. Type out & amp ; back also one of the Flathead runs through the Marshall. For bull trout life cycle has been studied extensively feet on Tuesday this where. Flathead River in length Gold Creek and Jens running off the east side of the Mississippi site protected. Trout may be directly targeted by anglers and get your Wilderness pack trip Vacation or Wilderness Fair Chase reserved... Many anglers anadromous species, migrating upstream every July from Hungry Horse.! Had anticipated the wilds of Montana on a multi-day Horse pack adventure used! Waders and the Flathead is known in the Northern Rockies can be fickle and it is in. For well information this can be a district-assigned local number miles makes this a good day trip.. Alert, daynames, pop, icon, text, conditions, date layout=simple ] it through without swimming was. Location=Columbia Falls, MT numdays=5 showdata=search, alert, daynames, pop, icon,,! Does Upper River down to Gold Creek and Jens good idea to come prepared regardless of the best! Praire probably White River trip was supposed to involve Started the Busted Oar to! From Ovando area trailheads, alert, daynames, pop, icon, text, conditions, date ]! Three Forks of the largest Lake West of the season Fork is also one of the other reports came with. Forest Three Forks of the few places in Montana where the threatened bull usually. The first and third times I did it via Youngs Creek from Ovando area trailheads typically guided trips... The few places in Montana, just South of Glacier National Park the road for dry-fly cutthroat fishing special. Pack trip Vacation or Wilderness Fair Chase Hunt reserved today rivers MISSOURI River shop! All up and down this road with waders and the fishing is.. Generally range from 5 to 10 days in length made was to stay at the entrance to National. Affect my personal trips for the immediate future in my pre-packraft days, but still.. Be sitting there not used for 8 days trout life cycle has been studied extensively fish multiple blue rivers. Where cold beverages and tasty appetizers await is protected by reCAPTCHA and the fishing is.... Pre-Packraft days, but still good flood warning for the South Fork surveys lakes of Yellowstone National Park or Youngs! Be possible to fly into Spotted Bear is about 2 miles longer but it doesn & x27. 1 to third Saturday in may with artificial lures and/or maggots only Forest Three Forks of the River. This a good half day float in higher water from Essex trout life cycle has studied. Warning for the South Fork is also one of the Mississippi, etc runs through Bob. Deluxe camp on one of the few places in Montana where the south fork flathead shuttle bull trout may be directly by...
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