Flathead Basin

GAGE LOCATION

DAY/YEAR
GRAPHS

CURRENT
STAGE/FLOW

WHAT TIME

N. Fk. Flathead near Col. Falls

7 30 year

/

N/A

M. Fk. Flathead near W. Glacier

7 30 year

1.59 / 462

4 pm

S. Fk. Flathead near Spotted Br.

7 30 year

/

N/A

S. Fk. Flathead near Col. Falls

7 30 year

- / -

N/A

Flathead at Col. Falls

7 30 year

- / -

N/A

Flathead near Polson

7 30 year

6.58 / 10100

3 pm

Flathead at Perma

7 30 year

9.88 / 11100

4 pm

S. Fk. Jocko near Arlee

7 30 year

/

N/A

CITY

Kalispell

NOAA

Accuweather

TWC

Polson

NOAA

Accuweather

TWC

HATCH

NYMPH/
LARVA

PUPA/
EMERGER

DUN/
ADULT

EGG-
LAYER

Spotted caddis

Green caddis

Little brown stonefly

Midge

Sculpin

Baitfish

Roe

In winter, the trout move out of the forks and into the mainstem, and the best place to look for them is downstream from the South Fork confluence. Standard nymphs--Pheasant Tail, Prince, Copper John, Brassie, etc.--and streamers will pick up trout on warmer days.

You can float the river on warm days if snow has not blocked the boat ramps. Before launching, make sure both your launch point and your takeout are clear of snow and accessible.

See the Rivers in General report for additional winter fly fishing tactics.

For more on January tactics and flies, see the Rivers in General report.