The catch is, of course, the best fishing is found well above the Meadow Creek Pack Bridge, as far fewer people fish upstream than at the much more accessible trailhead. Below Meadow Creek Trailhead, the floater who wants to continue down the river to Hungry Horse Reservoir can put in their boat at an unofficial access point called Cedar Flats. Whitefish are common. Floating down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River in late summer is a great escape from the last bits of heat. Regardless of where you enter the Bob, the South Fork is a wade fisherman’s dream. Along the way, it … We decided to make a trip down the river the next day. Wildlife, birding, natural history, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, hiking, local breweries, distilleries, bakeries, Mountain views, birding and nature tours with a biologist guide, View fof the mission mountains from a float in the middle of the flathead river. Stop at Tamerack Brewery in Lakeside on the way down, and take 35 back on the east side of the lake and stop at Flathead Brewery on the way back. Sprawling more than 1.5 million acres, the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex (known to locals as “the Bob”), which also includes the Great Bear Wilderness and the Scapegoat Wilderness, is perhaps the wildest location in the lower 48 states. Their Tube Trips include a deluxe tube rental, a life jacket and a shuttle to and from the Madison River. Absaroka River Adventures, Absarokee. Scenic and whitewater raft trips on the Flathead River are an experience that you won’t soon forget. This has important implications. Discover and book Glacier National Park Scenic Float The Middle and North Fork of the Flathead are two of Montana’s wildest rivers and form the southern and western boundaries of Glacier National Park. I have paddled all over the country (the Gran d Canyon, Colorado, Southeast, Cali) and the guides at WRO were not only smooth operators on the Flathead but they were also some of the most considerat e people I … This should lead to significantly better fishing in both the South Fork below the dam and for the Flathead River in the years ahead. The North Fork Flathead River is a wonderful river to float. The trout are all wild—there is no hatchery grown fish here. Most travelers to the wilderness complex do not come here to fish. *Subject to seasonal availability (usually July/Aug only). Hungry Horse Dam was modified in the mid 1990’s to allow it to draw water from any depth of the reservoir. Glacier National Park Scenic Float - Middle Fork Flathead River cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. To reach this section of the river, though, requires going down a rather steep and hazardous put-in at the dam. The river provides outstanding fishing for native Montana trout in a remote and beautiful setting. The tubes have steady Our Flathead river rafting scenic tour gives you the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the spectacular beauty of Glacier National Park and the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Below the dam, the river only runs for 5 miles. That includes … I learned a lot on all three trips and from talking to customers about the area and about packrafting. While the river is deep in spots, the river should pose no challenges to the alert wade fisherman. The road also has a reputation of being hard on tires, so make sure you have a good full size spare or two. We decided to make a trip down the river the next day. Always Float times for this section are about 4 hours or so, depending on how frequent your stop. The second, and somewhat obvious, reason is that in order to reach the river in the wilderness area requires considerable time and energy, as it lies in a very remote setting by any standard. The best place to exit the river is at mile 61.6, which is marked by a small sign. Terrestrial patterns, particularly hoppers, also are excellent to use in July and August. Floating the Flathead River. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. Here are a few tips specifically for this trip: 1. If a pleasure cruise on calm waters is your cup of tea then this is the trip for you. Also wash off all pans and utensils thoroughly, and leave them away from camp too. View fof the mission mountains from a float in the middle of the flathead river. Scenic Float In Glacier National Park - Rafting Flathead River Once in the interior, a person can spend months traversing the 2000 miles of trails that criss-cross this vast wilderness area. Unlike other wilderness floats (such as on the Middle Fork of the Salmon in Idaho), the river is not over-run by rafting parties, since the only way to put a raft into the South Fork of the Flathead is by packing it in. First, Montana Fish & Game imposed strict special wilderness limits years ago. River rafting trips on the North Fork of the Flathead are usually available from mid-May to August on the upper reaches of the river and all summer long on the lower. 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. The Flathead River offers plenty of fishing, floating and wildlife watching The North Fork of the Flathead River flows along the boundary to Glacier National Park Explore the river area by hiking or horseback riding in the wilderness Fish for rainbow and lake trout as well as cutthroat and whitefish We can pick you up and deliver you back to your hotel, or a local eating spot or drinking hole. From there, the South Fork trail more or less follows the river throughout its journey in the wilderness area. Read this in-depth guide on how to select a fly rod to meet your own specific fishing needs. However, the river is popular for recreational floating and provides some great views. 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. 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. Either way, it’s a long way in from any trailhead to reach the river. With near freezing water no longer flowing through the river during the middle of the summer, insect hatches have improved significantly on both the South Fork and the main stem of the Flathead River. 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. 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. The floating season is generally from mid-June through late August. The reservoir is more than 50 miles long, created by the 460-foot Hungry Horse Dam. This is about 2 miles south of the Trailhead, and requires a short walk to the river. 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. In 1976, US Congress designated 219 miles of the Flathead River as “National Wild and Scenic.” The Flathead River offers more than 275 miles of river rafting ranging from peaceful Class I float trips to Class III+ whitewater adventures on the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Flathead River. View detailed fishing guide books & river maps for Montana. Long before I had a bucket list and two pack donkeys, I yearned to hike up the South Fork of the Flathead River. 9. The water is controlled by the dam, so I think rapids are guaranteed, followed by a refreshing float There is one rapid section below the dam called Devils Elbow, with two short Class IV rapids. Absaroka River Adventures . From this point, you can float another 18 scenic miles to Hungry Horse Reservoir. Also, all the islands in this stretch make for great spots to pull over for lunch. Only 3 fish of any type (cutthroats, rainbows and grayling all are found in the South Fork) may be taken, none of which may be over 12 inches. Flathead river Montana - we have flows, shuttles, weather, access and notes for the North Fork, Middle Fork, South Fork and main stem. A Columbia Falls man died late Saturday afternoon after his fishing pontoon boat flipped while floating on the North Fork of the Flathead River near Glacier Rim. Several guide services located around the Bob provide packing services, and can pack in gear for the floaters without a horse. The Bob is not a National Park, where a traveler is likely to bump into countless hordes of people wandering its trails. 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. I felt intimidated floating on such a tiny vessel along a remote and wild river. After traveling more than 40 miles, the South Fork finally leaves the protected wilderness area, and begins to follow the reservoir roads for another 20 miles until spilling into the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Of course, this remote setting has its benefits. Since the fishing pressure is low, the trout aren’t horribly picky about what they will take. Floating the South Fork of the Flathead River is perhaps one of the finest floats anyone can do in the lower 48. As the miles floated by, I couldn’t Most TRIPS start and end in Missoula, MT. And cooking fish, especially over an open fire, produces a powerful aroma—an aroma that grizzly bears just love. 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. The South Fork only flows for 5 miles below Hungry Horse Dam before the river ends at the confluence of the Flathead River. On a hot summer's day, there's nothing better than sitting in a river with a cold drink while floating past beautiful scenery. Rafters paddle over a rapid on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Customisable, personalised nature tours and adventures in Montana including wildlife safaris, birding, hiking, natural history, cross-country skiing, horseback riding, natural hot springs, museums, bakeries, breweries, distilleries. Numerous Class II, III and IV rapids exist in this gorge. Just be careful not to spook the fish—the waters of the South Fork of the Flathead River are crystal clear. And not a single service will be found, so bring whatever you need, as you won’t be able to buy something if you forget it. We often see beaver and herons, birds of prey like bald eagles and osprey, and sometimes even bears or moose on the river banks. Upon reaching the Meadow Creek Pack Bridge, it is a short hike into the wilderness. Any rafts will need to be brought in either on your back or on horse. The main stem of the Flathead River curves through more than 20 miles of roadless isolation from shortly below Kerr Dam to well south of Ronan. Glaciers from the nearby Livingston Range feed side streams that South Fork Flathead River upstream from Hungry Horse Reservoir. Book a float with this company and they’ll take you to the Stillwater River (the exact location depends on the river level). The Whitefish River is a slow moving stream that runs between Whitefish Lake and the Stillwater River, in the Flathead Valley of Northwest Montana. Any fish you catch while in the wilderness area will have to be eaten there. Log jams and other hazards exist, and may change and move seasonally. The upper section of the river offers primitive recreation in a wilderness setting. Access to the South Fork is by foot or horseback. The only trip that is going ahead it a pack trip into the Bob Marshall on horseback. Cast for native trout along grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers. With this modificationt, the dam now releases water that has the same temperature as the Flathead River five miles downstream. This peaceful and tranquil setting changes when the river reaches Meadow Creek Gorge. However, if you’re not, here’s something else to consider before putting that trout into the frying pan. If you’re new to floating or don’t own any equipment, Bozeman’s Madison River has got you covered. On a hot summer's day, there's nothing better than sitting in a river with a cold drink while floating past beautiful scenery. As an alternative, I have been offering consultation sessions on the phone, where we chat about your interests and I follow up with an email of suggestions. Weather is highly changeable, with summer snows not uncommon. The nice and easy current makes for a peaceful day of floating. Learn more about these fun boats. +1 (857) 246 9360wenfei.tong@big-sky-safaris.com. A floater reels in a 12-inch cutthroat trout from the emerald green water of the Middle Fork of the Flathead River in Montana's Great Bear Wilderness Area in 2012. Grizzly bears, moose, elk and wolves all call the Bob home. This is a special area that conservationists have been trying for many years to get incorporated into a National Park. A river map is available from the Flathead National Forest (Three Forks of the Flathead). Get in touch or fill out an OPTIONS form to design your own trip. Treat your family to a special day with a fifteen-mile ride down the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. On this wild river adventure trip you will float by towering mountain peaks, run some of the best river rapids in the Glacier National Park area, and enjoy a delicious riverside lunch! 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. The White River trip was supposed to involve floating the White River but the water was so low (July 20 th on a dry year) that we ended up just hiking to the confluence with the Flathead. The Middle Fork of the Flathead River originates in the heart of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Flowing for nearly 50 miles through the heart of this rugged and beautiful landscape, the Upper Middle Fork of the Flathead River carves its way through the glacial valleys and lush forests of Northwest Montana. Special PACKAGES and tours available at reduced rates. Special regulations and limits apply when fishing in the wilderness portion of the South Fork. The natural elements in the Bob should not be taken lightly. Feel the exhilaration of whitewater rushing through a narrow gorge. The heaviest use in the Bob occurs in the fall, during hunting season. Montana’s North and Middle Forks of the Flathead River Overnight Float Trips. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. Dispose of all entrails and uneaten portions far away from where you are camped. From it’s beginning near Danaher Creek, the entire South Fork is floatable except during low water. In 1976, US Congress designated 219 miles of the Flathead River as “National Wild and Scenic.” The Flathead River offers more than 275 miles of river rafting ranging from peaceful Class I float trips to Class III+ whitewater adventures on the North Fork and Middle Fork of the Flathead River. The river is Class II-III with standing river waves and shallow rocky shoals. Reviews from the Middle Fork of the Flathead River Trip Seth and crew are a classy outfit. The river starts in Canada and flows along the west edge of Glacier National Park. Up until reaching Meadow Creek Gorge 40 miles later, described later, the river presents no special challenges to a rafter. The cutthroat are small, 6”- 12” with a few big fish, but numerous and eager to hit a fly. 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. To simply reach the interior of the Bob frequently requires hikes or horse packs of several days. 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. 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