If one had the capability of going back in time, say at least 100 years, and fish any river, my choice would be the Clark Fork River.

The last 100 years have not been particularly kind to the Clark Fork. At the turn of the century, the copper mining industry in the headwaters dumped mine tailings into Silver Bow Creek. This practice released heavy metals into solution now a part of the Clark Fork River sediment. The Milltown Dam located just below the mouth of the Blackfoot fortunately deposited in one convenient location much of this mistake of the past. However releases of these heavy metals have been helping suppress fish populations for the last 100 years. After a heavy rainfall the flush of ions of copper, for example, would wipe out the aquatic life of the river. It would bounce back time and time again only to be knocked down.

Fortunately the Clark Fork restoration has begun in earnest to remove these toxic deposits on the banks of the upper Clark Fork (Slickens) as well as removing the 7 million cubic yards of sediment behind the Milltown dam. The dam will also be removed and fish will move freely upstream or downstream on the Clark Fork and into the Blackfoot, just like they did over 100 years ago. During this sediment and dam removal process, it is inevitable that there are some toxic releases downstream of the construction site. This has had a deleterious impact on some of the macro-invertebrates. Certain mayfly hatches are not as consistent as they have been. Patience will be required to see the project through the completion. Rewards will be watching it blossom into the river we all know it is capable of becoming.

In spite of its history, the Clark Fork River is an amazing testament to the resiliency of Mother Nature. Characterized by huge shelving riffles, long quiet pools, as well as reaches of boulder pocket water, “the Fork” is an angler’s paradise of variety. Some of the toughest, strongest trout anywhere are found in these waters.  Upstream of Missoula the brown trout is predominant while downstream the norm is rainbows, “cuttbows”, and the occasional pure cutthroat. Dry fly fishing can be exceptional on any given day. Fishing “underneath” in the right water can also have its rewards in the form of a “football shaped” torpedo-like trout. In its back-waters the lower Clark Fork River has populations of the highly predacious Northern Pike. These fish make for some excellent sport for those willing to cast a streamer.

Use this link to visit Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Clark Fork River description and facts! An interactive map is available.