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 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. By law, all bull trout must be immediately released. Also wash off all pans and utensils thoroughly, and leave them away from camp too. Groups of 4 or more will average 1.5 pack animals per person when using traditional rafts with frames and regular food. Storms can also roll in unexpectedly, and its best to be prepared for anything. 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. The South Fork Flathead is one of the most beautiful and productive trout streams in North America. Bull trout hang near the bottom of deep pools, especially if there's a tributary nearby depositing fresh, cold, clean water. Please notify us of any dietary restrictions or allergies as early as possible so that we can adjust the menu accordingly. This is about 2 miles south of the Trailhead, and requires a short walk to the river. Please arrive by 10:15 AM for a prompt departure at 10:30 AM. We do not have a packer or wrangler fee and do not charge for any animals that the packers or wranglers are riding or any pack animals we need to pack in our gear for staying over night. We are located under the giant log arch on the south side of US Highway 2, 1/2 mile west of West Glacier. If horseback riding, you should not wear a backpack, but keep water bottles, rain jacket and packed lunch loose to be placed in saddle bags. Website: richranch.com. 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. Will it be cold? Pretty much any caddis fly or mayfly imitation in size 10-14 works just fine. A drop float trip is a one-way ticket and you will need to arrange transportation on the other end. Please be sure that hooks are single-hooked and barbless. Day 3-4: The third morning we would head downstream on the river, stopping for some fishing along the way and camping at some beautiful riverside campsites. And not a single service will be found, so bring whatever you need, as you wont be able to buy something if you forget it. For the first few days of the trip, the water meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines. While you probably won't catch a 22-inch trophy, you will catch some of the most perfectly configured trout in the world. My husband, two daughters ages 12 & 14 and I recently took a week long trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness with the assistance of 406 Wilderness Outfitters. We do a lot of DIY rafting trips, so our group had high expectations. How old does my child have to be to participate? In addition to guided fishing trips, we offer drop & float trips on the South Fork of the Flathead River. Temps for Trout: How to Catch Fish that Behave Hot n Cold, 2021 Fly Fisherman Father's Day Gift Guide, How to Remove Wind Knots and Snarls from Leaders and Tippet, Managing Menhaden: The Most Important Fish in the Sea, Pharmaceutical Pollution Threatens Florida's Shallow-Water Fish, Finding and Catching Trout in Mountain Lakes. 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. Most of our tents are high-quality three-person tents, but we only put two people in each tent. WRO offers even a seasoned river tripper a way to be in a wilderness setting that encourages discovery and interaction as well as makes you feel safe and part of something special. The South Fork of the Flathead trip begins and ends in Kalispell, Montana (FCA). The Bob Marshall is one of the most beautiful and beloved wilderness areas in all the US. You can either hike in or be packed in by horse, which is an additional cost not included in your WRO trip cost. While on the river you will get wet going through rapids (what fun would it be if you didnt?!). If driving, you will be able to leave your car at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell. The river also runs through a deep, nearly impassable gorge for several miles (called Meadow Creek Gorge) just upstream of the pack bridge, thus forcing anglers to go further upstream to fish. 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. 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. Join us for eight wonderful days in the incredible Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana. WRO operates under special recreation permits on BLM land. Summer temperatures in Montana can fluctuate dramatically in a 24-hour period, from freezing at night to 70-90's the next afternoon. Enjoy an exciting half-day Glacier National Park whitewater rafting trip on the middle fork section of the Flathead River. It's a river offering a return to our fly-fishing infancies when camping and camaraderie, incredible scenery and seclusion, and catching nave trout on bushy dry flies was more paramount than the opportunity for a 20-incher. The Bob is not a National Park, where a traveler is likely to bump into countless hordes of people wandering its trails. You will head to the trail the next morning (the official starting date of your trip) and start the hike or pack in. Before the trip: We have experience working with vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut allergies, etc. You will need to arrange lodging and dinner reservations for the night before your launch date at the Rich Ranch. Will it be cold? Access is easy, with numerous designated access sites, and countless unofficial access sites. Seth has been personally involved in this trip because it is a custom deal, mostly because we wanted to take another trip with WRO, but really are not fishermen-and this is usually a fishing trip. This day bag is 9 inches in diameter and 20 inches tall. Your personal day gear will be packed in saddle bags or a small dry pack. 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 ride over a mountain pass and through alpine meadows flourishing with wildflowers, before dropping into the headwaters of the South Fork. WRO operates under National Park Service contract in Glacier Bay. Flathead River The designated river includes the North Fork, Middle Fork and South Fork above Hungry Horse Reservoir and features recreation, scenery, historic sites, unique fisheries and wildlife such as grizzly bears and wolves. Manoeuvre the raft through 9 different rapids by following the simple paddle commands of the guide. Western rivers are becoming so crowded that some anglers consider casing the long rods for good. The South Fork is a place I'll take my daughter, Tate, to learn the ropes. We are currently working with Seth to go on a trip to the South Fork of the Flathead at the end of July. After unloading the mules that pack the gear out, we will meet the vehicles and WRO will provide transportation back to Kalispell. Black River. Something went wrong. Please contact us if you have any questions. 12359800. n/a. Mid summer sunny days can also reach the upper 90s! This will be our 4th trip with WRO, and after taking trips with other rafting companies, I can honestly say, WRO is the BEST! To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. 0. Wilderness River Outfitters and Trail Expeditions Inc is an equal opportunity provider. What kind of footwear should I bring? It is recommended to keep your wallet at the bottom of your overnight bag, so it does not get misplaced. If possible, we recommend bringing hard alcohol packed in non-glass containers, or bagged wine. The Middle Fork has an average gradient of about 35 feet per mile, which translates to punchy Class III-IV rapids on earlier trips and boulder garden rapids during lower flows. 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! Listen to the River, from Wild Confluence Films, is the story of a classic summertime river adventure gone awry.In 2015, a crew of friends set out on the South Fork Flathead River in Montana's Bob . Note: If your party is fishing for bull trout, you will need to secure that license and catch card from FWP. 65 miles from the origin to Hungry Reservoir and almost all of it flows through remote wilderness. For example a group of 10 going in and they will only be using 2 pack animals for all 10. On this trip, we offer a deluxe camping option where a gear boat goes ahead of the other fishing boats to start setting up camp. Travel to Kalispell, Montana (FCA) no later than 3 pm one day prior to your trips launch date. So the moral of the story is this: If you cook any fish while camped in the wilderness area, make sure you cook them well away from where youre camping (like hundreds of yards). If you're using a floating line, tie on a 12- to 14-foot leader and apply plenty of weight. Day 7: Depending on the group and water levels we may run the Meadow Creek Gorge on the seventh day and camp below the tight and technical 5 mile rapid section the final night. The Flathead River itself is over 200 miles long from its northernmost point to where it meets the Clark Fork River northwest of Missoula. The scenery on the ride portion of the trip is spectacular. Delta, Alaska/Horizon, United, Allegiant, Frontier and US Airways offer flights into Glacier International Airport (GPI). If staging in Kalispell after your trip, we recommend making your reservations at the Red Lion Hotel (1-800-547-8010) or Travelodge (1-406-755-6123) in Kalispell. From the Rich Ranch, well get an early start for our drive to the Pyramid or Holland Lake trailhead. For most trips you will need two pairs of shoes, one to wear in the boats and one to wear hiking and around camp. Our time with WRO on the South Fork of the Flathead was beyond amazing. First, Montana Fish & Game imposed strict special wilderness limits years ago. Five days and 35 miles means plenty of time to hike, fish the fat and feisty Cutthroat trout at . Your trip leader will put on an orientation at 6 pm at the Rich Ranch, where trip details, last minute questions, and dry bag demonstrations will be given. Unless you want to carry a raft out of the wilderness, make arrangements in advance to pick up your gear on a predetermined date. They say anglers used to catch nearly 30 cutthroats a day between 15 and 20 inches. We always carry a satellite communication device for emergency situations and stay in contact with WRO staff in Salmon, who are aware of our location and campsites during the trip. WRO met them in every way! 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. Site name This is the official name of the site in the database. Grizzly bears, moose, elk and wolves all call the Bob home. Those willing to venture away from the beaten path will find refuge from people, especially in late June and early July when high water recedes and again during fall as visiting anglers head home. There are numerous designated access sites, and it's pretty easy to navigate. On the third day of the float, we enter Meadow Creek Gorge and the character of the river changes dramatically. We generally suggest 12 years old as a minimum for this particular trip due to the length of the hike/ trail ride and the possibility of running Meadow Creek Gorge. 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. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Wilderness River Outfitters and Trail Expeditions Inc is an equal opportunity provider. Each trip is tailored to the desires of the guests, but generally we will be on the water a total of 5 or so hours each day (give or take a couple of hours), broken by a lunch stop and any other side adventures. If it is a non-fishing adventure style trip, we will be paddling the entire trip. Some clients choose to walk and some may choose to ride. After driving to the Rich Ranch, there will be an evening orientation with WRO guides and guests, where we will go over trip details, answer last-minute questions, and hand out 16 oz Hydroflask mugs and waterproof bags to repack your gear into. Guides are usually tipped 10-20% of the cost of the trip, more for exceptional service. Due to the fact that the South Fork of the Flathead River starts deep in the wilderness area and flows for more than 40 miles through the heart of the complex, simply getting to the South Fork is an adventure in itself. Day Before: Travel to Kalispell, Montana (FCA) no later than 3 pm. Big and plenty, these native fish average 12-20 inches, and have gotten up to 40 inches. The hotel will provide shuttle service from the airport. 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. You should arrive in Kalispell the day before your trip is scheduled to begin by 3 pm. Being in shape for riding will make your ride more enjoyable, especially the first day. Fly Fisherman's digital editor Josh Bergan takes us along on a fly-fishing trip into the Montana mountains to show where, how, and why to catch trout in alpine lakes. This north-northwest trending river is about 98 miles (158 km) long, making it the second longest tributary of the Flathead River. Anglers should be stealthy when casting to native cutthroats, but finesse is rarely required. We need to keep soap out of the rivers in order to protect sensitive fish populations, so if you want to use soap and bathe on the trip, you need to do so above the high water mark (even biodegradable soaps). Join us for eight wonderful days of luxury camping and dry fly-fishing in the incredible Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana! Montana Fishing Regulations. Matches and lightersor any other fire-building toolsare potentially lifesaving. 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. In addition, fall brings spruce moths to the water. Jim Klug photo. Come see for yourself why the South Fork of the Flathead is a guide favorite! We pack you, your gear and your float equipment to the confluence of Young's and Danaher Creeks where the South Fork of the Flathead River begins. Explore all WRO trips on our interactive map . River in Flathead NF, Bob Marshall Wilderness, Rocky Mountains in Hungry Horse, MT. What will temperatures and weather be like? With the hood down, the vehicle is a prime target for packrats. Hopper patterns, chubby trinobles, purple haze, parachute adams, humpies, ants, beetles, and general terrestrial patterns are popular flies in this region. We dedicate plenty of river time to fishing for one of the purest strains of Westslope Cutthroat trout in the world. Awesome trip! Kalispell and Whitefish have limited taxi options like Uber or Lyft, so if you dont have a vehicle, staying in the recommended lodging is especially convenient. Day 1: We will make packed lunches at the Rich Ranch. Hikers and horse riders can follow a trail (TR 110) to Big Salmon Lake and its outlet into the South Fork. 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. Wade fishing is also the most popular way to fish the South Fork of the Flathead River, simply because getting a raft into the wilderness area is no easy feat. From this point, you can float another 18 scenic miles to Hungry Horse Reservoir. You will also catch fewer small fish because the large flies are difficult for small fish to inhale. Aug 15, 2019. Yes, we almost always have a campfire every evening and morning. 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. 1 of 2. Breakfasts consist of a combination of grains, vegetables, eggs, and breakfast meats, and dinners consist of culinary delights such as wild salmon and steak, many of which are cooked over open campfires and dutch ovens. Backpacking gear is needed for the angler without a horse to fish the South Fork above the Hungry Horse Reservoir, as the only access to the river is by trail. Nothing ruins a trip as quickly as a visit from an aggressive bear, and a camp with scraps of food strewn about invites disaster. Spey fishing is a unique way to fish for bull trout in the Flathead. How, where, and when do we get our fishing licenses? the average number of stock used for people using traditional rafts and frames along with regular food will average 2 pack animals per person on groups of less than 4. East of Hungry Horse Reservoir and South Fork Flathead River lies the drainage basin of the Middle Fork River. For the first few days of the trip, the water meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines. 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. Healthy and nutritious options are always available, and meals always include fruits and vegetables (sourced locally when we can). You place worth on the experience in its entiretyfrom blistered feet on the hikes in and out of the wilderness, to passing a flask around the campfire, to the daily duties of filtering water and cleaning the camp dishes. WRO met them in every way! For well information this can be a district-assigned local number. This bag should be plenty large enough for everything listed on our suggested packing list. Access to the South Fork is by foot or horseback. We will pack your gear and your float equipment and can also pack you in if you arent up for the long hike into the South Fork of the Flathead River. Immerse yourself in the spectacular beauty and pristine watersheds of Glacier National Park and the Middle Fork of the Flathead River with an experienced guide. The only items you should have with you for the horseback ride are: full water bottle, camera, rain gear, fleece jacket or sweater, hat, and riding clothes. Can either hike in or be packed in by Horse, which is an equal provider! 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