As the river gains small springs and freshets flowing off the ice pack of the Beartooths, the Clark's Fork is a fast-flowing freestone stream. Not wider than 50 feet, the flow is definitely moving downhill rapidly. Wading in the early part of the season can be a true challenge. Nevertheless, there are eager brookies, Yellowstone cutthroat and rainbows to be found in every nook and cranny of the river. Pocket water fishing is the norm.
Hatches are abundant.
The upper Clark's Fork is the place for 2 and 3 weight fly rods. Aside from hoppers and large attractor flies, most of the time, anglers can use size 12, and smaller, nymphs and dries to entice the eager numbers of trout abiding behind log jams, boulders, in deep pools, long runs and riffles. If you are the individual who can appreciate picking a stretch of water apart, piece by piece, the upper Clark's Fork is for you. If you are a fan of Saturday morning TV, the upper Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone was featured on a TNN Outdoors segment with host Ron Shearer and owner Tim Wade several years ago. The river was also much loved by author Ernest Hemingway, who lived in a cabin close by the river and finished final drafts of several books in between the times he spent wading the river.