Copyright 2023 Wilderness River Outfitters. 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. Set Field Guide Location. WRO provides ample snacks as well as plenty of drinking water, fruit juices, and coffee, tea, and cream in the morning. South Fork Flathead River packrafting. After unloading the mules that pack the gear out, we will meet the vehicles and WRO will provide transportation back to Kalispell. Most of the guides also use Venmo. 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. Do we have to share a tent with someone else? 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. We do a lot of DIY rafting trips, so our group had high expectations. On Newstands March 3rd! We can have it ready for you to purchase or rent when you arrive. Seth Tonsmeire is the licensed fishing outfitter in the State of Montana number #40842. The reservoir is more than 50 miles long, created by the 460-foot Hungry Horse Dam. The scenery on the ride portion of the trip is spectacular. From the Rich Ranch, well get an early start for our drive to the Pyramid or Holland Lake trailhead. Your personal day gear will be packed in saddle bags or a small dry pack. If it is a non-fishing adventure style trip, we will be paddling the entire trip. Jim Klug photo. Please check your entries and try again. The Bob Marshall is one of the most beautiful and beloved wilderness areas in all the US. We discourage bringing any unnecessary valuables on your trip. Summer temperatures in Montana can fluctuate dramatically in a 24-hour period, from freezing at night to 70-90s the next afternoon. It's a river offering a return to our fly-fishing infancies when camping and camaraderie, incredible scenery and seclusion, and catching nave trout on bushy dry flies was more paramount than the opportunity for a 20-incher. You can either hike in or be packed in by horse, which is an additional cost not included in your WRO trip cost. Phone: (406) 677-2317 This cold, clear water flows into the North, South and Middle forks of the Flathead, which merge together near Columbia Falls to begin a southward journey. Yes, we do normally change campsites every day. We dedicate our river time on this trip to fishing for one of the purest strains of Westslope Cutthroat trout in the world. All Fly Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Cast for native trout along grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers. 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. We always carry a satellite communication device for emergency situations and stay in contact with WRO staff in Salmon, who are aware of our location and campsites during the trip. The South Fork of the Flathead begins deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness at the confluence of Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek. 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. And it runs through the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, just south of Glacier National Park. 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. Please contact our office ahead of time to arrange logistics if you need to be picked up. 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. From the take out point, it is a three-mile walk to the Meadow Creek Trailhead. Awesome trip! Each day will be different, with varying options for hiking, exploring, swimming, fishing, and great lunch stops. What will temperatures and weather be like? A variety of car rentals are available should you decide to visit Glacier National Park before or after your trip. Quick-dry clothing, layers, and sun protection are the most important things to keep in mind. WRO guides bring a spare rod, a handful of popular flies, and leader and tippet, but we recommend guests bring their own 5 weight rod (cutthroat) and 6-8 weight rod (targeting bull trout), as well as their own fishing accessories and flies. Everyone is issued a waterproof day bag to carry items you will need access to during the day while on the river. 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 WRO will happily do our best to accommodate any dietary restrictions at no additional cost! Learn to tie the Sparkle Caddis Pupa with master tier Charlie Craven. Nothing ruins a trip as quickly as a visit from an aggressive bear, and a camp with scraps of food strewn about invites disaster. Overall, the South Fork flows more than 60 miles through designated wilderness and National Forest lands before emptying into Hungry Horse Reservoir. 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. And how will any future camping cuisine compare to the food we experienced on this journey? If you need assistance, were happy to help and always show you how the gear works. This dry fly can be tied to match any mayfly. Fall is also the time aspens, tamaracks, and cottonwoods turn yellow and elk bugle from the surrounding slopes. They also keep you warmer when wet. Fill your gas tank before leaving the town of Hungry Horse. Chartered trips must pay for the entire slot to reserve the trip, which minimum number of guests vary depending on the river you are interested in. Follow the West Side Road to the trailhead, approximately six miles from Hungry Horse Reservoir's southern shore. South Fork bull trout weigh up to 15 pounds or more and smack streamers, as well as the occasional cutthroat dancing on the end of an angler's line. If possible, we recommend bringing hard alcohol packed in non-glass containers, or bagged wine. 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. To help boost the average size of fish, the portion of the South Fork inside the wilderness boundary is strictly regulated and anglers may keep up to three trout a day smaller than 12 inches. You will also catch fewer small fish because the large flies are difficult for small fish to inhale. If true wilderness and the best native Westslope Cutthroat fishing in the lower 48 interests you, then we have the trip youre looking for! We provide deluxe, self-inflating basecamp Therm-a-rest pads. In certain cases, individuals may want to supplement meals and snacks with some items of their own. It is recommended to keep your wallet at the bottom of your overnight bag, so it does not get misplaced. Hopper patterns, chubby trinobles, purple haze, parachute adams, humpies, ants, beetles, and general terrestrial patterns are popular flies in this region. It is about a two hour drive to the Rich Ranch. There is a take out just before the Meadow Creek Gorge with good access and plenty of room to load gear onto horses or mules. Can WRO accommodate dietary restrictions/ allergies? The trail includes clear mountain lakes and a high mountain pass surrounded by majestic snowy peaks and lush green valleys. The rugged area includes the landscapes of Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall and Great Bear Wilderness areas. 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. How big are the waterproof bags and how much stuff can they hold? Big and plenty, these native fish average 12-20 inches, and have gotten up to 40 inches. If driving, you will be able to leave your car at the Kalispell airport. With the hood down, the vehicle is a prime target for packrats. We ride over a mountain pass and through alpine meadows flourishing with wildflowers, before dropping into the headwaters of the South Fork. There will be plenty of time to fish at lunch or at camp, but your on-river fishing will be more limited. The fish pound attractor dry flies, not because they are stupid, but because they have to eat when food is available. For most trips you will need two pairs of shoes, one to wear in the boats and one to wear hiking and around camp. WRO met them in every way! Numerous Class II, III and IV rapids exist in this gorge. We will camp the final night above the Meadow Creek Gorge to prepare for our short hike out the next morning. Some anglers who have fished the South Fork for 30 years complain it isn't as good today as it once was. Address: 3763 S Lincoln Road, Mt Pleasant, MI 48858. Weather is highly changeable, with summer snows not uncommon. 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. If driving, you will be able to leave your car at the Red Lion Hotel in Kalispell. The natural elements in the Bob should not be taken lightly. If you are not interested in that option but still want to walk and wade, you most definitely can bring your fishing stuff! We pack you, your gear and your float equipment to the confluence of Young's and Danaher Creeks where the South Fork of the Flathead River begins. Floating the South Fork of the Flathead River is perhaps one of the finest floats anyone can do in the lower 48. Yes, we almost always have a campfire every evening and morning. We like to maintain a flexible schedule. These guys have it nailed. 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. How will they locate us? See Special License Requirements for application information. An injury and what seemed like the end of a career paved the way for a new passion. 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 is known in the fly fishing world as the mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing. Join us for eight wonderful days of luxury camping and dry fly-fishing in the incredible Bob Marshall Wilderness of Montana! The Flathead River itself is over 200 miles long from its northernmost point to where it meets the Clark Fork River northwest of Missoula. Awesome trip! Our guides are knowledgeable with flies, the waters of the South Fork, and all aspects of fly-fishing, and they are ready to advise if you need assistance. We stop for a short lunch break but do not provide food or drink. Day 8:If we run the gorge, the final day we will have lunch on the river and take-out by mid-day at Spotted Bear Bridge. Explore all WRO trips on our interactive map . How will I keep my phone/camera/other valuable items safe from the elements? The only items you should have with you for the horseback ride are: full water bottle, camera, rain gear, fleece jacket or sweater, hat, and riding clothes. Wilderness River Outfitters and Trail Expeditions Inc is an equal opportunity provider. Website: richranch.com. If staying in Kalispell the night your trip takes off, we recommend making your reservations at the Red Lion Hotel (1-800-547-8010) or Travelodge (1-406-755-6123) in Kalispell. East of Hungry Horse Reservoir and South Fork Flathead River lies the drainage basin of the Middle Fork River. 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. If I did not book the fishing-specific trip, can I still fish? You do not need previous trail riding experience. We recommend the most convenient lodging, which is usually where orientation is held and where group transportation will pick up and drop off guests before and after the trip. Please check your entries and try again. 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. 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. 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 . It is a Class III+ river, with steeper gradient upstream, expect narrow channels, shallow gravel bars and logjam potential. On the third day of the float, we enter Meadow Creek Gorge and the character of the river changes dramatically. We often have dinner together, and you will spend this first night at the Rich Ranch lodging. 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! I believe those reports, but today fish average between 8 and 14 inches with an occasional 17- to 20-inch fish. Jul 31, 2014 Updated Aug 5, 2014. And the pack in is neither quick nor easyany pack in requires covering at least 25 miles or more of mountainous terrain. If you need any specialized clothing or equipment from saddle slickers to sleeping bags, canteens, or underwear, let us know. For most trips, sneakers or a lightweight hiking boot will be fine for side hikes. Just when your feet are getting a bit heavy, we reach the cool, clear waters of the South Fork. How will I keep my phone/camera/other valuable items safe from the elements? What will I do with items I need accessible during the day or on the boat? Flip-flops are great for around camp but you need something that will stay on your feet while we are on the boats. Under the surface try Pheasant-Tails, Hare's-ears, Prince Nymphs, golden stonefly nymphs, caddis pupae, and Brassies. 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. 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. Wilderness River Outfitters and Trail Expeditions Inc is licensed and insured in the State of Idaho under license number 441. 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. and spend the night. Access to the South Fork is by foot or horseback. 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. How, where, and when do we get our fishing licenses? 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. On the morning of departure, the pack string with your gear will go over Hahn Pass, a 29 mile ride to the confluence of Youngs Creek and Danaher Creeks which form the South Fork of the Flathead. What shoes will I wear in the boat? Generate High-Quality PDF. 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. Healthy and nutritious options are always available, and meals always include fruits and vegetables (sourced locally when we can). On the day of the trip please separate everything except the few items you will take with you on horseback. Burn all leftover food, fish carcasses, and garbage. Measuring 92 miles (148 km), The Middle Fork Flathead River is located in the western part of the state of Montana in the United States, flowing along the southwestern border of Glacier National Park. We will have lunch on the trail and camp on the trail the first night after about 16 miles. The hotel will provide shuttle service from the airport. If they feel inclined to tip packers or wranglers it is a nice gesture but not expected. After unloading the mules that pack the gear out, we will meet the vehicles and WRO will provide transportation back to Kalispell. August 12th-17th: Dreamy Late Season on the Middle Fork. Please contact our office ahead of time to arrange logistics if you need to be picked up. However, we do recommend that you leave any unnecessary valuables at home. Learn more about these fun boats. Since 1977 Montana River Outfitters prides itself in offering only the finest river trips available. South Fork of the Flathead Explore the Heart of Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness Overview Hike past pristine mountain lakes and snow-covered peaks. 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. Wildlife, Whitewater Rafting, Fishing, Hiking, Backpacking, Horseback Riding, Rafting, 8 Days, 43 miles of river, 22-29 miles of trail, Hike/ trail ride through Bob Marshall Wilderness, High adventure whitewater (Meadow Creek Gorge section). With these trips being in the middle of the summer, the temperatures are very pleasant and walk-and-wade fishing from the bank and on side streams can be done without waders. You will need IGBC Approved coolers for food storage. Great guides -- competent, knowledgeable and just great guys. Anglers can access the lower South Fork by foot or horseback via the Meadow Creek Trailhead. Either way, its a long way in from any trailhead to reach the river. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. For more information, check out our "Sample Menu" page and "WRO Garden" page. Others are disappointed by the size of the fish they're catching and blame increased pressure and catch-and-release mortality on the decline. We provide deluxe, self-inflating basecamp Therm-a-rest pads. I once encountered someone who hit a pothole and broke an axle while driving late at night. You will head to the trail the next morning (the official starting date of your trip) and start the hike or pack in. South Fork Flathead River. After the trip: Your lead guide will give you an overview of the day each morning. Occasionally hiking members can pack a few beers on their personal backpack, but one can imagine we need to keep these quantities limited. Access to the wilderness complex is excellent, with dozens of trails threading their way from easily accessible trailheads along the perimeter of the wilderness. We look forward to making this horseback/float fishing trip a comfortable, enjoyable, and exciting adventure. The hour-and-a-half-long drive should be taken at moderate speed. People using pack rafts, dehydrated food and backpacking gear get by with dramatically less. There are numerous designated access sites, and it's pretty easy to navigate. The fishing is frosting on an already tasty cake. 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. The South Fork of the Flathead is a freestone stream, vulnerable to the nuances of runoff, and typically unfishable until mid to late June. Day 2: Finish off the hike or horseback ride to the river put in where we will meet the rafts and the guides. Learn to tie the Woolly Bugger fly with master tier Charlie Craven. The experience is authentic wilderness with delicious meals cooked over a fire (most outfitters use propane) - and the team knows the story of the geology, the flora and fauna and the people that lived along these great rivers. 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. Fine-spotted Snake River cutthroat from Wyoming were stocked in Arkansas in 1984 (Robison and Buchanan 1988). From this point, you can float another 18 scenic miles to Hungry Horse Reservoir. Charlie Craven is giving step by step instructions for tying the Perdigon Fly. Wilderness River Outfitters and Trail Expeditions Inc is an equal opportunity provider. Copyright 2023 Wilderness River Outfitters. 1 of 2. For the first few days of the trip, the water meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines. We do not provide soda or alcohol, except for one night which is a fiesta night in which we provide drinks. Trail 110 begins approximately two miles from Holland Lake (take TR 415 to TR 42 from the trailhead). We have experience working with vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, nut allergies, etc. Our sleep kits consist of a Therm-a-rest pad, a 20 degree sleeping bag, a packable pillow, and a ground cloth. This trip includes a two-day, 25-mile horseback ride (or hike) to access the remote South Fork Flathead. However, if youre not, heres something else to consider before putting that trout into the frying pan. Grizzly bears, moose, elk and wolves all call the Bob home. Storms can also roll in unexpectedly, and its best to be prepared for anything. 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. For example a group of 10 going in and they will only be using 2 pack animals for all 10. Nighttime temperatures, even during the short summer months, frequently plummet below freezing. We usually start floating when the sun hits the water each day and arrive in camp late afternoon. Yes, we do normally change campsites every day. This has important implications. Carry bear spray and store food in airtight containers hung from trees away from camp. Day 2: Finish off the hike or horseback ride to the river put in where we will meet the rafts and the guides. 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. However, a raft and gear must be packed in on horseback and only experienced oarsmen should float the South Forkthere is a lot of whitewater and yearly natural changes can make several rapids not navigable. The wilderness mountain settings, clear waters, campfires, wilderness lakes and streams, and superb fishing will wash away worldly cares. It depends on the time of year, and on the child. The road also has a reputation of being hard on tires, so make sure you have a good full size spare or two. Day 4-7: As we continue on, well be rafting the calm and beautiful upper South Fork, floating around lazy corners and casting along undercut banks. Big and plenty, these native fish average 12-20 inches. 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