Long sleeved, lightweight sun hoodies, long pants, brimmed hat, eye protection, and possibly sun-gloves are recommended. With no roads or airstrips, everything is horse-packed to the put inits the real Montana experience! Guests will need to arrange to meet us the day before their scheduled trip to drop off the gear by 2:00pm. As this is a pack-in trip, we highly recommend limiting your personal gear to 25-30 pounds, and leaving non-essential items at home. In the interest of a more genuine wilderness experience, we encourage people to pick their own sleeping sites and set up their tents (or sleep under the stars, weather permitting!). In order to keep these places beautiful for years to come, all rivers are pack it in, pack it out. We bring fabulous portable toilets and handwashing stations that we place in a private location away from camp with the best bathroom view you will ever have. Please check your entries and try again. The run through the gorge is dependent on the river level, the gorge being clear of logjams and guide discretion. 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. They also know how to get you from amazing point A to beautiful point B safely. Join us for eight wonderful days of luxury camping and dry fly-fishing in the incredible Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana! For the first few days of the trip, the water meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines. Our max load per pack animal is 150 pounds. From start to finish, our guides showed expert knowledge of the area and a keen attention to our group's needs. To access the road section above the reservoir, you still have several hours of dirt road just to get there. 65 miles from the origin to Hungry Reservoir and almost all of it flows through remote wilderness. The South Fork of the Flathead is known in the fly fishing world as the mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing. Yes, we do normally change campsites every day. We usually start floating when the sun hits the water each day and arrive in camp late afternoon. The river is one of the prettiest and most productive trout streams in North America. Day 1 you travel the 15 miles to our camp on Young's Cr. 8 days, 43 river miles, 22-29 trail miles, Hike/ trail ride through Bob Marshall Wilderness, World-class fly-fishing; opportunities for spey fishing, Fishing-specific boats, frames, Montana fishing guides, This trip includes a two-day, 25-mile horseback ride (or hike) to access the remote South Fork Flathead. Yellowstone, Lahantan and perhaps other subspecies have been stocked in Arizona (Minckley 1973). Hike past pristine mountain lakes and snow-covered peaks. Why do you recommend synthetics instead of cotton? 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. Find out why the Chippewa River is the best lazy river for tubing in Michigan with Chippewa River Outfitters. This dry fly can be tied to match any mayfly. Mid summer sunny days can also reach the upper 90s! 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. You will also catch fewer small fish because the large flies are difficult for small fish to inhale. 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. If you are not interested in that option but still want to walk and wade, you most definitely can bring your fishing stuff! 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. We do offer chartered trips. If you need help finding an outfitter to pack you out at the end of your float, we can help provide recommendations, depending on your take out point. The put in and pack in are trip dependent, as different outfitters have different preferences. The hotel will provide shuttle service from the airport. 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 pack you, your gear and your float equipment to the confluence of Youngs and Danaher Creeks where the South Fork of the Flathead River begins. Delta, Alaska/Horizon, United, Allegiant, Frontier and US Airways offer flights into Glacier International Airport (GPI). Hungry Horse Dam was modified in the mid 1990s to allow it to draw water from any depth of the reservoir. These guys have it nailed. 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. Matches and lightersor any other fire-building toolsare potentially lifesaving. We work with a number of horseback outfitters and can help you to arrange you pack in and pack out,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. If you need assistance, were happy to help and always show you how the gear works. Will it rain? Day 1: We will make packed lunches at the Rich Ranch. Burn all leftover food, fish carcasses, and garbage. Wilderness River Outfitters and Trail Expeditions Inc is licensed and insured in the State of Idaho under license number 441. It is also one of the wildest, beginning in the Great Bear Wilderness just south of Glacier National Park. Most travelers to the wilderness complex do not come here to fish. If possible, long duffle bags are preferred for packing gear in. Do we have to share a tent with someone else? 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. For example a group of 10 going in and they will only be using 2 pack animals for all 10. 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. If you are bringing a large, expensive camera, we recommend you bring a hard waterproof case in which to store it and accessories. Before the trip: Also wash off all pans and utensils thoroughly, and leave them away from camp too. On one of our trips last summer three people fishing the same hole each caught 20 fish in under an hour! We do not provide soda or alcohol, except for one night which is a fiesta night in which we provide drinks. For running powerful Class IV and V rapids, nothing beats an inflatable whitewater kayak. Your lead guide will give you an overview of the day each morning. Failure to take these precautions is likely to lead to uninvited and probably unwanted guests with large claws and teeth probing your campsite during the night. Additionally, from Meadow Creek Pack Bridge (near the wilderness area boundary) down to Spotted Bear footbridge, it is all catch and release and only artificial lures may be used. The South Fork of the Flathead River is a major river in Northwestern Montana. We start the trip with a two-day ride (or hike) through spectacular scenery through the Bob Marshall wilderness to access the starting point of the float, then spend five days fly-fishing some of the most pristine water in Montana. Copyright 2002 - 2022 Big Sky Fishing.Com, Introduction to the South Fork Flathead River, Photographs of the South Fork Flathead River, How to Choose the Best Inflatable Boat for Your Needs, How to Protect Your Phone While Fishing or Floating, Big Prairie Ranger Station Pack Bridge: 92, Black Bear Ranger Station Pack Bridge: 69.5, Takeout to avoid Meadow Creek Gorge: 61.6, Log Landing (take out point before Reservoir): 40. It appeared in the June-July 2010 issue of Fly Fisherman. Means of Introduction: This species has been intentionally stocked as a sport fish in most areas. It is a Class III+ river, with steeper gradient upstream, expect narrow channels, shallow gravel bars and logjam potential. Is there a place to store our non-river luggage while were on the river? Hikers and horse riders can follow a trail (TR 110) to Big Salmon Lake and its outlet into the South Fork. Regardless of where you enter the Bob, the South Fork is a wade fishermans dream. Sleeping pads and heavily insulated sleeping bags make life easier. Our experienced packers will weigh and pack your gear so that you can have an early start the next morning. Extend your river adventure with three to four days of North Fork Flathead River Rafting. The South Fork of the Flathead is a freestone stream, vulnerable to the nuances of runoff, and typically unfishable until mid to late June. 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. If we camp above the gorge and do not raft it, we will arrive at Mid-Creek takeout and there will be a three mile hike to the Meadow Creek trailhead, which takes about an hour. The scenery on the ride portion of the trip is spectacular. Meanwhile, clients will ride in from the Lodgepole trailhead, which is a 23 mile ride to the confluence. You'll be delighted by the river's gentle currents and scenic views and you can even bring a beverage or two to enjoy as you float down the waterway. On Newstands March 3rd! Camped out along the South Fork Flathead River. How big are the tents? Explore the Heart of Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness. Your trip leader will put on an orientation around 6 pm at the Rich Ranch. n/a. Everyone is issued a waterproof day bag to carry items you will need access to during the day while on the river. In addition to the large waterproof bag issued for packing clothing and camp items, everyone is also issued a smaller day bag to carry items you will need access to while on the river (sunscreen, camera, extra layer, rain gear, etc.). The nose-diving U.S. economy has persuaded many families in recent years to put costly and exotic vacation plans on hold . Lower Youngs Creek also has some good fishing. The Flathead River is a large river. *Itinerary and route to river is subject to change based on the desired hiking and whitewater interest of the group. Learn to tie the Pheasant Tail Nymph with master tier Charlie Craven. Please arrive by 10:15 AM for a prompt departure at 10:30 AM. South Fork Flathead trips are unique in the sense that you have to pack in your trip on a mule string, and most packing outfitters will not allow carbonated beverages to be packed on the animals. For the first two days, the water meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines. Anglers should be stealthy when casting to native cutthroats, but finesse is rarely required. The natural elements in the Bob should not be taken lightly. A great section can be fly fished above and below Tin Shanty Road bridge. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. If you are interested for a drop camp trip for hiking and fishing, the cost would be doubled for pickup and return. 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. 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. These guys have it nailed. The South Fork of the Flathead River is a different beast. Option 3, the Confluence/Headwaters of the South Fork of the Flathead is an option during the entire float season, but after August 1, is generally the best option due to lower water conditions. The South Fork of the Flathead River begins deep in the heart of Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, one of the nations largest designated wilderness areas. The rest of your gear will be packed up the afternoon before the trip. Address: 3763 S Lincoln Road, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858. Occasionally hiking members can pack a few beers on their personal backpack, but one can imagine we need to keep these quantities limited. 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. From this point it's approximately three miles to the Meadow Creek Trailhead. The South Fork Flathead is catch and release only for bull trout, and a Hungry Horse/South Fork Flathead Bull Trout Catch Card must be in possession when fishing for Bull Trout. Learn to tie the Woolly Bugger fly with master tier Charlie Craven. Travel to Kalispell, Montana (FCA) no later than 3 pm one day prior to your trips launch date. We will need to have our gear ready either that evening or very early the next morning (especially if youve chosen to use horse support). How, where, and when do we get our fishing licenses? Rich Osthoff's book Fly Fishing the Rocky Mountain Backcountry has a great chapter in it about the South Fork of the Flathead. In years of heavy precipitation it may not fall into shape until after the July 4 holiday. Is there an option for a trip for only my group? Our time with WRO on the South Fork of the Flathead was beyond amazing. Westslope cutthroats are blue-collar fish that work hard for their living. Comfort is essential to having fun! If you need help finding an outfitter to help pack you out at your take out, we can provide you with some recommendations. The North Fork Flathead River is a wonderful river to float. All guides are trained in Swiftwater Rescue. The Meadow Creek Trail follows the rim of the Meadow Creek Gorge for the first three miles. Site identification number Each site in the USGS data base has a unique 8- to 15-digit identification number. The South Fork Flathead is one of the most beautiful and productive trout streams in North America. The South Fork of the Flathead begins deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness at the confluence of Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek. Feel the exhilaration of puckering whitewater rushing through a narrow gorge. Westslope cutts prefer a big meal so use large hooks when you can (size 8-14). Big and plenty, these native fish average 12-20 inches, and have gotten up to 40 inches. Hopper patterns, chubby trinobles, purple haze, parachute adams, humpies, ants, beetles, and general terrestrial patterns are popular flies in this region. Prior to this modification, all water released came from the bottom of the dam where the water was coldest. The Middle Fork Flathead River is one of Montana's premier whitewater rivers. RM 83-82: White . WRO operates under special use permits on the Salmon-Challis and Flathead National Forests. Usually we would reach the river mid afternoon the second day camping at the river the second night. A lack of preparedness can get you lost, injured, or killed. Weather can be variable in the Montana wilderness, so be sure to have warm layers for around camp. August 12th-17th: Dreamy Late Season on the Middle Fork. You can either hike in or be packed in by horse, which is an additional cost not included in your WRO trip cost. Day 8: We will arrive at Mid-Creek takeout and there will be a three mile hike to the Meadow Creek trailhead, which takes about an hour. Being in shape for riding will make your ride more enjoyable, especially the first day. If there is an odd number in your group we will not make you share a tent with a stranger. 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. On the third day of the float, we enter Meadow Creek Gorge and the character of the river changes dramatically. 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. Rain is always possible, but trips earlier in the season are more likely to see precipitation and/or cooler temperatures than mid to late summer trips. We ride over a mountain pass and through alpine meadows flourishing with wildflowers, before dropping into the headwaters of the South Fork. The Bob Marshall is one of the most beautiful and beloved wilderness areas in all the US. There are numerous designated access sites, and it's pretty easy to navigate. Copyright 2023 Wilderness River Outfitters. Evacuation plans are in place for each trip in case of an emergency, and a satellite communication device is carried at all times. But there are few places that are as remote or offer such a unique experience. A third access begins on the North Fork of the Blackfoot drainage on the southern end of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. WRO operates under National Park Service contract in Glacier Bay. River in Flathead NF, Bob Marshall Wilderness, Rocky Mountains in Hungry Horse, MT. Old running sneakers can also work well as river shoes. In certain cases, individuals may want to supplement meals and snacks with some items of their own. You will need to arrange lodging and dinner reservations for the night before your launch date at the Rich Ranch. We have other wilderness and backcountry trips too, so call soon to reserve your dates on these pristine and permit only wilderness waters. We will provide transportation from Kalispell to the Rich Ranch the day before your trip is scheduled to begin. A safe time frame to fish the river is between July 15 and October 15. 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. Any rafts will need to be brought in either on your back or on horse. They also keep you warmer when wet. This is a tight meandering river about 20 feet wide. Explore all WRO trips on our interactive map . Something went wrong. Up until reaching Meadow Creek Gorge 40 miles later, described later, the river presents no special challenges to a rafter. There are a total of 97.9 miles of designated Wild River . Our fishing-specific trips are most likely more time focused on the water, but we encourage our fishers to also enjoy the cool side hikes that the Bob Marshall has to offer. Access is easy, with numerous designated access sites, and countless unofficial access sites. Hopefully, the catch and release restrictions wont bother you since you catch and release all fish anyway! The trout in this river are eager to please, and on a good day, anglers with nothing more than a #12 Royal Wulff may raise 30 or more fish and bring at least half to the net. Under the surface try Pheasant-Tails, Hare's-ears, Prince Nymphs, golden stonefly nymphs, caddis pupae, and Brassies. In addition to guided fishing trips, we offer drop & float trips on the South Fork of the Flathead River. South Fork Flathead River Regulations Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex Regulations 2015 Three Forks of the Flathead Float Guide This full color, waterproof guide is to be used when floating on the Three Forks of the Flathead Wild and Scenic River, and can be purchased for $14 at our offices. We will make lunch for the trail, and after a short drive to the trailhead in the morning we will be on our way. About the closest you can get to the river by vehicle is by using the long and curvy West Reservoir Road that crosses the Hungry Horse Dam and meanders around Hungry Horse Reservoir. The South Fork of the Flathead trip begins and ends in Kalispell, Montana (FCA). On our adventure South Fork trips, we use a mix of paddle rafts and inflatable kayaks; some people can try different boat options. This north-northwest trending river is about 98 miles (158 km) long, making it the second longest tributary of the Flathead River. If driving, you will be able to leave your car at the Kalispell airport. It gains volume with the contributions of the White River, Big and Little Salmon creeks, Black Bear Creek, and other small tributaries. Wilderness River Outfitters and Trail Expeditions Inc is an equal opportunity provider. Put anything you might need during the day in this day bag, as the larger bag will usually be inaccessible until we reach camp for the evening. If you are interested in a drop trip for camping or backpacking, the cost would be doubled for pickup and return. The heaviest use in the Bob occurs in the fall, during hunting season. Give a Gift If you look at the Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks website, it will direct you to options for online purchases or in-person vendors around Montana. After the trip: After meeting your trip leader and the other guests, we will drive as a group from Kalispell to the Rich Ranch, which is about a two hour drive. Charlie Craven is giving step by step instructions for tying the Perdigon Fly. Several other trails that follow both sides of the river and connect to additional access points intersect at this location. We are located under the giant log arch on the south side of US Highway 2, 1/2 mile west of West Glacier. 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. Rafts typically take one and a half pack animals, two rafts take three pack animals, and max load weight per pack animal is 150lbs. We are currently working with Seth to go on a trip to the South Fork of the Flathead at the end of July. Comfort is essential to having fun! Cast for native trout along grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers. Cast for native trout along grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers. We offer brands like Mountain Hardware, North Face, and Sierra Designs. Healthy and nutritious options are always available, and meals always include fruits and vegetables (sourced locally when we can). Long sleeved, lightweight sun hoodies, long pants, brimmed hat, eye protection, and possibly sun-gloves are recommended. For well information this can be a district-assigned local number. South Fork of the Flathead Explore the Heart of Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness Overview Hike past pristine mountain lakes and snow-covered peaks. If true wilderness and the best native Westslope Cutthroat fishing in the lower 48 interests you, then we have the trip youre looking for! Rafting & Paddling the South Fork Flathead River Floating the South Fork of the Flathead River is perhaps one of the finest floats anyone can do in the lower 48. The South Fork of the Flathead is a freestone stream, vulnerable to the nuances of runoff, and typically unfishable until mid to late June. Fishing pressure is very low in the wilderness area compared to virtually any other Montana river. 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). June 30- July 5th: Spend Fourth of July with WRO! What happens if someone gets sick or injured? Guides are usually tipped 10-20% of the cost of the trip, more for exceptional service. You are welcome to bring your own sleeping gear if you wish, but if you do, please bring your own complete sleep kit and let us know ahead of time. For most trips, sneakers or a lightweight hiking boot will be fine for side hikes. How big are the tents? We provide deluxe, self-inflating basecamp Therm-a-rest pads. This allows us to cover new scenery, rapids, and side adventures each day at a fun, comfortable pace. Access to the wilderness complex is excellent, with dozens of trails threading their way from easily accessible trailheads along the perimeter of the wilderness. ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS FOR HORSE PACK TRIPS. You will be responsible for the cost of lodging and dinner here that is not included in the WRO trip cost. Can I bring my own sleeping pad/bag/tent/other gear? Half-Day Scenic Float Full-Day Whitewater With Riverside Lunch . Montana also has the option to purchase a fishing license just for the time you are on the river. Bull trout hang near the bottom of deep pools, especially if there's a tributary nearby depositing fresh, cold, clean water. The trip winds about 8 miles through the John F. Stevens Canyon. This bag should be plenty large enough for everything listed on our suggested packing list. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. How do the bathroom systems work on the trip? All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. From the Rich Ranch, well get an early start for our drive to the Pyramid or Holland Lake trailhead. Special regulations and limits apply when fishing in the wilderness portion of the South Fork. Copyright 2023 Wilderness River Outfitters. The North Fork, Middle Fork, and South Fork have different origins and personalities, each a different river until they merge to form the main stem of the Flathead River. It's a long journey to get there. WRO will happily do our best to accommodate any dietary restrictions at no additional cost! If our office staff is notified of an emergency they will let our crew know, but it is definitely not immediate as we are typically traveling in remote wilderness areas. We've already booked 2022.ALASKA! This is the classic way WRO ran our wilderness trips, and is a wonderful way to experience this river! Depending on the route in, over the first two days we will cover about 20-25 miles either by foot or by livestock. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. What will I do with items I need accessible during the day or on the boat? Groups of 4 or more will average 1.5 pack animals per person when using traditional rafts with frames and regular food. We are consistently told by guests that we out-do their expectations when it comes to our foods quality that we can accomplish in the wilderness. To reach the trailhead, turn onto Holland Lake Road from Highway 83 and follow the signs. We dedicate our river time on this trip to fishing for one of the purest strains of Westslope Cutthroat trout in the world. 15 and October 15 these pristine and permit only wilderness waters Hungry horse, which is wonderful. Day 1: we will not make you share a tent with a stranger mid... 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