You often will need to plan these types of trips well in advance, as you will be booking out the entire trip for your group and need the launch date to be empty. Some exceptions might be considered based on a child's experience with multi-day camping, hiking, horseback riding and rafting. 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. First, Montana Fish & Game imposed strict special wilderness limits years ago. We will have lunch on the trail that is pre-packed in the morning, and camp on the trail the first night after around 16 miles. Can I stay at a different hotel than your recommended options before the trip? Though cutthroat are found throughout its length, the best fishing is between the Meadow Creek Trailhead and Black Bear Creek. 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. Learn to tie the RS2 with master tier Charlie Craven. Hopefully, the catch and release restrictions wont bother you since you catch and release all fish anyway! For the first few days of the trip, the water meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines. The trail includes clear mountain lakes and a high mountain pass surrounded by majestic snowy peaks and lush green valleys. The South Fork of the Flathead is a freestone stream, vulnerable to the nuances of runoff, and typically unfishable until mid to late June. 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 interested in a drop trip for camping or backpacking, the cost would be doubled for pickup and return. *Itinerary and route to river is subject to change based on the desired hiking and whitewater interest of the group. . 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. From this point, you can float another 18 scenic miles to Hungry Horse Reservoir. A variety of car rentals are available should you decide to visit Glacier National Park before or after your trip. Generally we will either pack 25 miles into Gordon Pass, in which you hike in from Holland Lake, or around 23 miles to Youngs Creek from Pyramid or Lodgepole Pass. Lower Youngs Creek also has some good fishing. How, where, and when do we get our fishing licenses? It is helpful but not necessary to do some riding prior to your trip. This is a 2 day ride to the South Fork. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. The South Fork of the Flathead is a freestone stream, vulnerable to the nuances of runoff, and typically unfishable until mid to late June. WRO met them in every way! 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. Wonderful, gourmet backcountry cooking! We travel 6 to 10 miles a day through spectacular backcountry and most routes include one day of uphill climbing. 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). We have other wilderness and backcountry trips too, so call soon to reserve your dates on these pristine and permit only wilderness waters. I believe those reports, but today fish average between 8 and 14 inches with an occasional 17- to 20-inch fish. The road also has a reputation of being hard on tires, so make sure you have a good full size spare or two. Montana also has the option to purchase a fishing license just for the time you are on the river. On Newstands March 3rd! He talks about the hike in sections as well as everything that can be floated. Travel to Kalispell, Montana (FCA) no later than 3 pm one day prior to your trips launch date. Drop float trips begin at the Monture trailhead, seven miles north of Ovando, Montana. Groups of 4 or more will average 1.5 pack animals per person when using traditional rafts with frames and regular food. This is dependent on the area you are fishing, but for all rivers you will need single, barbless hooks without bait. From the Rich Ranch, well get an early start for our drive to the Pyramid or Holland Lake trailhead. Access is easy, with numerous designated access sites, and countless unofficial access sites. We look forward to making this horseback/float fishing trip a comfortable, enjoyable, and exciting adventure. Great guides -- competent, knowledgeable and just great guys. 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. Is there somewhere to purchase last-minute items before the trip? Sign up for our email newsletter for great articles, tips and news from our adventures. A lack of preparedness can get you lost, injured, or killed. If you fish after mid-October, carry appropriate winter clothing and survival gear. These coolers and containers must be the same size for balancing mule loads. Can I bring my own sleeping pad/bag/tent/other gear? What size and type of sleeping pad does WRO provide? and spend the night. June 30- July 5th: Spend Fourth of July with WRO! How will I keep my phone/camera/other valuable items safe from the elements? Let our professional fishing guides show you one of the most remote, trout-filled rivers in Montana on a fishing specific South Fork Flathead trip in the heart of Montanas backcountry. Note: If your party is fishing for bull trout, you will need to secure that license and catch card from FWP. The river meanders its way through some of the most spectacular country a rafter could hope to find. If I did not book the fishing-specific trip, can I still 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 dry fly can be tied to match any mayfly. WRO met them in every way! This should lead to significantly better fishing in both the South Fork below the dam and for the Flathead River in the years ahead. 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. 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. In years of heavy precipitation it may not fall into shape until after the July 4 holiday. Travel to Kalispell, Montana (FCA) no later than 3 pm one day prior to your trips launch date. The best patterns for bull trout represent sculpins and cutthroat trout. Depending on the route in, over the first two days we will cover about 20-25 miles either by foot or by livestock. 2023 406 Wilderness Outfitters For example a group of 10 going in and they will only be using 2 pack animals for all 10. You can usually reduce pack animals by 1 or sometimes2 for the takeout due to eating all of the food and being able to fill the empty coolers with other gear. WRO provides ample snacks as well as plenty of drinking water, fruit juices, and coffee, tea, and cream in the morning. Turn left onto FR 4353 and follow it for a few miles, then turn right on FR 136 and follow the signs to the trailhead. We ride over a mountain pass and through alpine meadows flourishing with wildflowers, before dropping into the headwaters of the South Fork. See more reasons why were ranked so high on Trip Advisor . Site identification number Each site in the USGS data base has a unique 8- to 15-digit identification number. 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! Check out more about the Flathead River. A Seat with a View on the South Fork Flathead River. Manoeuvre the raft through 9 different rapids by following the simple paddle commands of the guide. This is truly one of North America's great camp-float adventures. Since the fishing pressure is low, the trout arent horribly picky about what they will take. It is about a two hour drive to the Rich Ranch. We will need to have our gear ready that evening or very early the next morning (especially if youve chosen to use horse support). Jim Klug photo. Rich Ranch WRO operates under special use permits on the Salmon-Challis and Flathead National Forests. RM 83-82: White . On the third day of the float, we enter Meadow Creek Gorge and the character of the river changes dramatically. The Meadow Creek Trail follows the rim of the Meadow Creek Gorge for the first three miles. Rates are $300 per animal for both riding and pack animals. How old does my child have to be to participate? They really strive to make each person comfortable and happy! WRO operates under special recreation permits on BLM land. 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. Several guide services located around the Bob provide packing services, and can pack in gear for the floaters without a horse. 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. 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. 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. 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. WRO provides ample snacks as well as plenty of drinking water, fruit juices, and coffee, tea, and cream in the morning. Please do not make tip checks out to Wilderness River Outfitters. 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. 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. We offer brands like Mountain Hardware, North Face, and Sierra Designs. While on the river you will get wet going through rapids (what fun would it be if you didnt?!). Awesome trip! On the South Fork of the Flathead, I am pleased to report, enterprising anglers can find remote campsites, solitude, and scads of native westslope cutthroat. Rates are $300 per animal for both riding and pack animals. Day 3-5: The third morning we would head downstream on the river, stopping for some fishing along the way and camping at some beautiful riverside campsites. In certain cases, individuals may want to supplement meals and snacks with some items of their own. There are a total of 97.9 miles of designated Wild River . Please notify us of any dietary restrictions or allergies as early as possible so that we can adjust the menu accordingly. 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. 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. We do a lot of DIY rafting trips, so our group had high expectations. Backpack or let the horses carry your gear and wear only a light daypack. 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!). 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. And how will any future camping cuisine compare to the food we experienced on this journey? Lunches are a combination of tasty salads, sandwiches, fruits, and assorted snacks. Access to the South Fork is by foot or horseback. Your personal day gear will be packed in saddle bags or a small dry pack. It's pristine. What kind of footwear should I bring? 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. 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. If you visit the South Fork of the Flathead, go prepared for the worst. If you need assistance, were happy to help and always show you how the gear works. WRO operates under special use permits on the Salmon-Challis and Flathead National Forests. 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. While most anglers wade-fish the South Fork, floating is an option. 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 South Fork Flathead is one of our most remote trips, which makes the experience extremely unique and rewarding. August 12th-17th: Dreamy Late Season on the Middle Fork. Applications are free from the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks office in Kalispell or online. Copyright 2023 Wilderness River Outfitters. 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. Join us for eight wonderful days of luxury camping and dry fly-fishing in the incredible Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana! Belly; Big Hole; Lower Clark Fork; South Fork Flathead; Swan: NE: 1895: 1992: 6: . The wilderness mountain settings, clear waters, campfires, wilderness lakes and streams, and superb fishing will wash away worldly cares. Yes, we almost always have a campfire every evening and morning. We do not provide soda or alcohol, except for one night which is a fiesta night in which we provide drinks. 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. We can have it ready for you to purchase or rent when you arrive. 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. 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. Booking fishing-specific trips on the South Fork Flathead ensures that you have a fishing frame and a fishing guide, and will fish most of the day. Long sleeved, lightweight sun hoodies, long pants, brimmed hat, eye protection, and possibly sun-gloves are recommended. The fishing in this stretch, however, has a chance to become a much better fishery in the years ahead. The South Fork of the Flathead is known in the fly fishing world as the Mecca for dry-fly cutthroat fishing. All guides are trained in Swiftwater Rescue. The drop float service is a one way service. The scenery is spectacular, as the river flows through a pristine and remote wilderness. We do not provide any food or drinks for any part of the trip including the ride in. 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. Located in the 1.5 million-acre Bob Marshall Wilderness, America's first-ever designated wilderness area, the South Fork is formed from Danaher Creek and Young's Creek junction. The South Fork is formed from the junction of Danaher Creek and Young's Creek and runs for 45 miles due north, fed by dozens of small tributaries, where it exits the wilderness near Spotted Bear Ranger Station. While you probably won't catch a 22-inch trophy, you will catch some of the most perfectly configured trout in the world. However, this route requires you to ascend the North Fork of the Blackfoot (TR 31 to TR 32), cross Dry Fork Divide, and then follow Danaher Creek (TR 126) to the junction with Youngs Creek. The trail (TR 80) parallels the east bank of the river to Black Bear Creek. Paiute (Moyle 1976a), Yellowstone (Dill and Cordone . We have experience working with vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut allergies, etc. Weather is highly changeable, with summer snows not uncommon. The river provides outstanding fishing for native Montana trout in a remote and beautiful setting. The fishing we will do is primarily inside of our fishing rafts, and you will not need waders. That's what I've learned during my forays to northwest Montana's South Fork of the Flathead Rivera wild cutthroat fishery that flows through the largest chunk of designated wilderness in the Lower 48. There are numerous designated access sites, and it's pretty easy to navigate. Meanwhile, clients will ride in from the Lodgepole trailhead, which is a 23 mile ride to the confluence. WRO operates under National Park Service contract in Glacier Bay. What will I do with items I need accessible during the day or on the boat? All photos (174) Half Day Scenic Float on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River By Glacier Raft Company 311 reviews Recommended by 99% of travelers from $94.88 per adult Check availability Lowest price guarantee Reserve now & pay laterFree cancellation Ages 2-99, max of 45 per group Duration: 2h 30m Start time: Check availability Mobile ticket Access to the wilderness complex is excellent, with dozens of trails threading their way from easily accessible trailheads along the perimeter of the wilderness. Some clients choose to walk and some may choose to ride. How big are the waterproof bags and how much stuff can they hold? Catching a South Fork bull trout will be a lasting memory for any fisherman. Evacuation plans are in place for each trip in case of an emergency, and a satellite communication device is carried at all times. For most trips, sneakers or a lightweight hiking boot will be fine for side hikes. Just got off the South Fork of the Flathead with WRO. We provide deluxe, self-inflating basecamp Therm-a-rest pads. 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. Enjoy an exciting half-day Glacier National Park whitewater rafting trip on the middle fork section of the Flathead River. River is the largest tributary to the upper South Fork. It depends on the time of year, and on the child. Lazy J Bar O Outfitters, Big Timber, MT 59011, United States. In addition, fall brings spruce moths to the water. From its beginning near Danaher Creek, the entire South Fork is floatable except during low water. Day 2: Finish off the hike or horseback ride to the river put in where we will meet the rafts and the guides. We bring oar boats, paddle boats, and at lower water, inflatable kayaks. 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. They also keep you warmer when wet. This north-northwest trending river is about 98 miles (158 km) long, making it the second longest tributary of the Flathead River. This section of wilderness is absolutely remote, but with WRO I felt completely safe and in good hands. Please contact our office ahead of time to arrange logistics if you need to be picked up. In years of heavy precipitation it may not fall into shape until after the July 4 holiday. If you are interested for a drop camp trip for hiking and fishing, the cost would be doubled for pickup and return. The guides can help carry and heat up some water if needed. Morgan and John talk about the oldest, purest, and largest westslope cutthroat in the U.S., which are found in the upper South Fork of the Flathead River deep in the Bob. We do not provide soda or alcohol, except for one night which is a fiesta night in which we provide drinks. Of course, this remote setting has its benefits. Healthy and nutritious options are always available, and meals always include fruits and vegetables (sourced locally when we can). 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. Wilderness River Outfitters and Trail Expeditions Inc is licensed and insured in the State of Idaho under license number 441. 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. 0. We are currently working with Seth to go on a trip to the South Fork of the Flathead at the end of July. The South Fork is open under Montana's general fishing season, which begins the third Saturday in May and closes November 30. To simply reach the interior of the Bob frequently requires hikes or horse packs of several days. 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 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. Exceptions might be considered based on a child 's experience with multi-day camping hiking. Horse packs of several days horseback/float fishing trip a comfortable, enjoyable, and adventure! 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