As summer tightens its grip on the Flathead Valley and Glacier National Park, anglers are experiencing a season marked by hot, dry weather and lower-than-average flows. While the fishing has been productive in many places, we’re in the middle of a low water year, and with that comes certain considerations for anyone spending time on our rivers and streams.
Rivers are clear and accessible, bugs are active, and trout are feeding—but anglers should pay close attention to water temperatures. When our local waters exceeds 66°F, it becomes increasingly stressful for native cutthroat and bull trout, and fishing during these conditions can cause unnecessary harm. Consider carrying a thermometer and be ready to call it a day when temps rise above safe levels for the trout. If you’re planning a trip to Glacier or fishing local waters, timing and ethics matter now more than ever.
In this report, we’ll cover river conditions, insect activity, fly selections, and how to responsibly enjoy the exceptional fly fishing opportunities around Glacier National Park in the heart of summer.
Big Rivers
The big rivers are ahead of schedule and are in mid-summer shape, running low, clear, and warm for this time of year. Fishing can still be good in the mornings and evenings, but anglers should wrap things up whenever water temperatures near 66°F.
Of particular concern is the North Fork of the Flathead, which tends to run the warmest of the three forks due to lower flows, wide open exposure, and minimal glacial input. If you’re planning to fish the North Fork, start early and be prepared to quit by midday—or skip it altogether during hot spells.
Fish are holding in deeper seams, shaded runs, and riffles with good oxygenation. These are ideal target zones during warm weather.
We strongly encourage all anglers to fish early, land fish quickly, and keep them wet. If temps creep up, move to higher elevation creeks, spring-fed stillwaters, or taget warm water species—there’s plenty to enjoy in the Flathead Valley even when the water gets too warm.
Dries
We’re in the height of the summer dry fly season, and trout are responding to a variety of offerings, especially during the morning bite. As the sun climbs and temperatures rise, dry fly action typically slows down—another reason to focus on early outings.
Top dry fly picks:
Chubby Chernobyls (tan, pink, purple)
Elk hair caddis
Purple haze
PMD and BWO parachutes
Flying ants (especially late afternoons)
Small hoppers and beetles along grassy banks
Bobbers
Truthfully, we’re not fishing under the bobber very much this time of year. With consistent dry fly hatches and trout actively feeding on the surface, dry flies are king right now. Most of our success is coming from topwater presentations.
That said, nymphing still has its place—particularly in the early morning hours or in deep, fast water where fish are holding lower. A shallow dry-dropper rig is a solid choice when fish aren’t fully committing to dries.
If you do go subsurface, consider:
Pat’s rubber legs
Frenchies
Split-back PMDs
Caddis pupae
Copper Johns
Perdigons with hot spots
But overall, keep your focus on the surface. These are the days dry fly anglers wait for all year.
Streamers
The streamer bite has been inconsistent. You might move fish early and late in the day when water temps are cooler. Focus on deeper buckets and shaded banks with structure.
Try:
Sparkle minnows
Mini dungeons
Thin mints
White or olive buggers
If the water’s warm, consider skipping the streamer game altogether. Pulling big fish from deep water in high heat does more harm than good.
Small Water
Small creeks and tributaries are running lower and warmer than normal, but they’re still providing excellent opportunities if you choose your spots wisely. Shaded stretches, higher elevation flows, and spring-fed streams are all better bets right now. As always, consult our 2025 Montana Fishing Regulations before fishing any small tributary or creek.
Be stealthy—these trout are spooky in low water—and consider barbless hooks and lighter tippet for quicker releases.
Dry-dropper setups are still the name of the game:
Chubby Chernobyls
Stimulators
Yellow Sallies
Copper Johns
Pheasant tails
Caddis pupae
And always—check the temps.
Stillwaters
Bass and pike are also active and resilient to warm water. For those looking to mix it up, warm water fly fishing is a fun and sustainable way to fish during mid-summer. It has also been pretty dang good! Last week we saw several pike and bass come to hand via flies and conventional gear. Target weed lines and structure where these ambush predators love to stalk their prey. Perch and Whitefish flies and lures seem to be getting a decent amount of attention. Your mileage may very and please reach out and tell us about your local warm water fishing report.
Flies to try:
Big leeches (black, olive, brown)
Red and black articulated streamers
Perch streamers
Whitefish streamers
Trout swimbaits
A Final Word
This summer, responsible angling is more important than ever. We’re in a low water year, and water temperatures are rising quickly by mid-morning. Please consider carrying a thermometer, fish early, and stop fishing for native trout when water temps exceed 66°F. These native trout are a finite resource, and it’s up to all of us to protect them.
If you’d like help finding cooler water, planning a trip, or getting set up with one of the most experienced guide teams in the Flathead Valley, we’d love to help.
Wild Montana Anglers is proud to offer conservation-minded guided fly fishing trips around Glacier National Park and beyond.
