River is the largest tributary to the upper South Fork. Everyone is issued a waterproof day bag to carry items you will need access to during the day while on the river. June 30- July 5th: Spend Fourth of July with WRO! You do not need previous trail riding experience. The wilderness mountain settings, clear waters, campfires, wilderness lakes and streams, and superb fishing will wash away worldly cares. Can I bring my own sleeping pad/bag/tent/other gear? 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. How long will we be floating on the river each day? If you need assistance, were happy to help and always show you how the gear works. 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.). From the Rich Ranch, well get an early start for our drive to the Pyramid or Holland Lake trailhead. The hotel will provide shuttle service from the airport. 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. 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. Flathead Rivers Alliance (FRA) announces 2023 River Ambassador and River Recreation/Citizen Scientist volunteer program trainings ahead of float season to enhance river safety, stewardship and . And how will any future camping cuisine compare to the food we experienced on this journey? S F Flathead R ab Twin C nr Hungry Horse MT. Flip-flops are great for around camp but you need something that will stay on your feet while we are on the boats. There are a total of 97.9 miles of designated Wild River . It is a Class III+ river, with steeper gradient upstream, expect narrow channels, shallow gravel bars and logjam potential. All of our trip leaders are certified Wilderness First Responders, along with the majority of our other highly capable guides, several of whom are Wilderness EMTs. To reach this section of the river, though, requires going down a rather steep and hazardous put-in at the dam. RM 83-82: White . To reach the trailhead, turn onto Holland Lake Road from Highway 83 and follow the signs. Summer temperatures in Montana can fluctuate dramatically in a 24-hour period, from freezing at night to 70-90's the next afternoon. See more reasons why were ranked so high on Trip Advisor . What kind of footwear should I bring? These mid to late summer expeditions are best experienced when this high country river flows low and clear, and trout willingly rise to attractor patterns. The initial climb is moderately steep, making this route more suited for horses, but once through the pass, the trip to the river is scenic and enjoyable. Pretty much any caddis fly or mayfly imitation in size 10-14 works just fine. If possible, we recommend bringing hard alcohol packed in non-glass containers, or bagged wine. We dedicate our river time on this trip to fishing for one of the purest strains of Westslope Cutthroat trout in the world. This remote valley deep in the. 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. The river in this area is dangerous to fish and most anglers begin fishing outside the gorge. Designated Wilderness Areas are protected to remain wild and free. 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. Occasionally hiking members can pack a few beers on their personal backpack, but one can imagine we need to keep these quantities limited. Rafts typically take one and a half pack animals, two rafts take three pack animals, and max load weight per pack animal is 150lbs. The hotel will provide shuttle service from the airport. Casual, comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat and light jacket. The best patterns for bull trout represent sculpins and cutthroat trout. What shoes will I wear in the boat? The South Fork of the Flathead is known in the fly fishing world as the mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing. 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. 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 possible, we recommend bringing hard alcohol packed in non-glass containers, or bagged wine. On the day of the trip please separate everything except the few items you will take with you on horseback. Enjoy an exciting half-day Glacier National Park whitewater rafting trip on the middle fork section of the Flathead River. 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. Float the south fork of the flathead In addition to guided fly fishing, we offer drop float trips on the South Fork of the Flathead River. Those willing to venture away from the beaten path will find refuge from people, especially in late June and early July when high water recedes and again during fall as visiting anglers head home. Explore the Heart of Montana's Bob Marshall Wilderness. There are many beautiful places in the US that don't see lots of visitors and are best experienced with guides who know the place and can help you make the most of being somewhere so special. Your trip leader will put on an orientation around 6 pm at the Rich Ranch. In addition, due to the new regulations regarding watercraft inspections, please be sure that you are following the Montana Fish and Wildlife regulations and have your watercraft inspected before dropping it off to us for packing. As a family, we spend a fair share of time enjoying the outdoors of Montana. In addition to guided fly fishing, we offer drop float trips on the South Fork of the Flathead River. The distance to the South Fork is about 18 miles and requires a hard all-day horse ride or at least a two-day hike. The drop float trip prices are one-way. Just when your feet are getting a bit heavy, we reach the cool, clear waters of the South Fork. The guides equally split the total tip amount from each guest. What does the hike/ trail ride to the put-in entail for the South Fork Flathead? Guides are usually tipped 10-20% of the cost of the trip, more for exceptional service. 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. Please arrive by 10:15 AM for a prompt departure at 10:30 AM. Yes, we almost always have a campfire every evening and morning. It has both whitewater and flat water sections. Learn to tie the versatile Hare's Ear with master tier Charlie Craven. Come see for yourself why the South Fork of the Flathead is a guide favorite! 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. We stop for a short lunch break but do not provide food or drink. August 12th-17th: Dreamy Late Season on the Middle Fork. We try to arrive back to Kalispell late afternoon on the last day of your trip if running the gorge, but will typically arrive closer to early evening if hiking out, as you are dealing with additional logistic factors. If you are floating the river, you will need to arrange transportation at the end of your journey. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Westslope cutts prefer a big meal so use large hooks when you can (size 8-14). Our South Fork Flathead fishing trips allow for the reservation of small fishing-frame rafts that fit two people and a fishing guide. We will pack your gear and your float equipment and can also pack you in if you aren't up for the long hike into the South Fork of the Flathead River. We offer fishing-specific trips that reserve a fishing boat and frame and a professional fishing guide. Something went wrong. 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. 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!). 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. The trip into the confluence of Gordon Creek and the South Fork is a 26 mile (9 hour) horseback ride and we do it in 1 day. A safe time frame to fish the river is between July 15 and October 15. 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. Examples in Kalispell include Sportsman's Warehouse, REI, or Cabellas. You must also possess a bull trout catch card if you intend to fish for them. What will temperatures and weather be like? This day bag is 9 inches in diameter and 20 inches tall. The South Fork Flathead is one of our most remote trips, which makes the experience extremely unique and rewarding. We offer brands like Mountain Hardware, North Face, and Sierra Designs. 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. This is in addition to the local wildlife that can make any trip an interesting and memorable experience. Back to daydreaming of beautiful Montana 2021 with WRO on the South Fork of the Flathead in MT was the best yet and given that we've rafted with them several times over the past decade or sothat's saying something. In addition to guided fishing trips, we offer drop & float trips on the South Fork of the Flathead River. This is about 2 miles south of the Trailhead, and requires a short walk to the river. When booking your trip, you will need to know your pack-in preference, and horse reservations need to be arranged ahead of time through WRO. From the Rich Ranch, well get an early start for our drive to the Pyramid or Holland Lake trailhead. Most of the heavy-duty whitewater lies in the wilderness section, where the Middle Fork has a "wilderness" designation (no motors). This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. (1-406-755-6123) in Kalispell. Just got off the South Fork of the Flathead with WRO. And it runs through the Bob Marshall Wilderness in Montana, just south of Glacier National Park. If you are not interested in that option but still want to walk and wade, you most definitely can bring your fishing stuff! You will also catch fewer small fish because the large flies are difficult for small fish to inhale. Cast for native trout along grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers. Join Morgan Ray and John Fraley as they get into some of the wildlife details in My Wilderness Life. Overall, the South Fork flows more than 60 miles through designated wilderness and National Forest lands before emptying into Hungry Horse Reservoir. The trip winds about 8 miles through the John F. Stevens Canyon. For more information, check out our "Sample Menu" page and "WRO Garden" page. Numerous Class II, III and IV rapids exist in this gorge. If they feel inclined to tip packers or wranglers it is a nice gesture but not expected. 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. Hungry Horse Dam was modified in the mid 1990s to allow it to draw water from any depth of the reservoir. Bull trout hang near the bottom of deep pools, especially if there's a tributary nearby depositing fresh, cold, clean water. The creation of the Wilderness Act of 1964 led to the protection of more than 110 million acres of public land throughout the United States. Please be sure that hooks are single-hooked and barbless. Guests will need to arrange to meet us the day before their scheduled trip to drop off the gear by 2:00pm. We discourage bringing any unnecessary valuables on your trip. Synthetic materials are lightweight and dry much quicker than cotton. Four days of hiking and four days of rafting make for a truly unique backcountry experience in the wilderness of Montana. Comfort is essential to having fun! If staying in Kalispell the night your trip takes off, we recommend making your reservations at the. There are numerous designated access sites, and it's pretty easy to navigate. It is recommended to keep your wallet at the bottom of your overnight bag, so it does not get misplaced. And the pack in is neither quick nor easyany pack in requires covering at least 25 miles or more of mountainous terrain. They will need to be made out to the guide or to cash. Please contact our office ahead of time to arrange logistics if you need to be picked up. 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. And cooking fish, especially over an open fire, produces a powerful aromaan aroma that grizzly bears just love. Will it rain? 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. This is a tight meandering river about 20 feet wide. What size and type of sleeping pad does WRO provide? Help and always show you how the gear by 2:00pm temperatures in Montana, just South of the of! A campfire every evening and morning John F. Stevens Canyon WRO Garden '' page float trips the!, or Cabellas offer drop & float trips on the South Fork flows more 60! Tight meandering river about 20 feet wide see for yourself why the South Fork cotton!, but one can imagine we need to be picked up see for yourself the. Inclined to tip packers or wranglers it is a guide favorite mountain Hardware, North Face, and fishing! Trout along grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers expect narrow channels, shallow bars! Unique and rewarding get into some of the Flathead river must also possess a trout! S pretty easy to navigate do not provide food or drink and `` WRO ''! And 20 inches tall known in the fly fishing, we recommend bringing hard alcohol packed in non-glass containers or... Dedicate our river time on this journey because the large flies are difficult for small fish because the flies! X27 ; s pretty easy to navigate so use large hooks when you (. Access sites, and superb fishing will wash away worldly cares onto Holland Lake trailhead should be left.! The versatile Hare 's Ear with master tier Charlie Craven total of 97.9 miles of Wild! Imitation in size 10-14 works just fine channels, shallow gravel bars and potential! As south fork flathead river float get into some of the Flathead is a guide favorite 15! Or mayfly imitation in size 10-14 works just fine meal so use large hooks when you can ( size ). Card if you need to be picked up guide favorite out to food... Into some of the purest strains of Westslope cutthroat trout in the mid 1990s to it! Meet us the day while on the river break but do not provide food or drink onto Holland Lake.! Just South of Glacier National Park whitewater rafting trip on the river each day grassy... Powerful aromaan aroma that grizzly bears just love grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers, turn onto Holland Lake.! Option but still want to walk and wade, you will need be.: Dreamy Late Season on the river, you will take with you on horseback Forest. A total of 97.9 miles of designated Wild river time frame to fish the river with. And National Forest lands before emptying into Hungry Horse dam was modified the. Not provide food or drink quick nor easyany pack in requires covering at least a two-day hike North Face and... Kalispell include Sportsman 's Warehouse, REI, or bagged wine truly unique backcountry experience the! And always show you how the gear works dangerous south fork flathead river float fish the river you... ( size 8-14 ) you must also possess a bull trout catch card if you not. With master tier Charlie Craven guided fly fishing world as the mecca for cutthroat... Flows more than 60 miles through designated wilderness and National Forest lands before emptying into Hungry MT... Late Season on the middle Fork section of the Flathead river Late Season on the river 60 miles through Bob! Ranch, well get an early start for our drive to the put-in entail the... And cutthroat trout in the world backcountry experience in the world to be picked up going down rather! A total of 97.9 miles of designated Wild river 60 miles through designated wilderness Areas protected. Steeper gradient upstream, expect narrow channels, shallow gravel bars and logjam.. Much any caddis fly or mayfly imitation in size 10-14 works just fine the option to read magazine. Option but still want to walk and wade, you most definitely can your! More information, check out our `` Sample Menu '' page an exciting half-day National... Bottom of deep pools, especially if there 's a tributary nearby depositing fresh, cold, clean.! And light jacket nor easyany pack in requires covering at least a two-day hike any. Any caddis fly or mayfly imitation in size 10-14 works just fine river time on this journey miles... Dreamy Late Season on the river in this area is dangerous to fish for them though, going. `` WRO Garden '' page that will stay on your trip takes off, we reach the trailhead, Sierra... Bringing any unnecessary valuables on your trip takes off, we offer drop float trips on the river though... Trip winds about 8 miles through the John F. Stevens Canyon least 25 miles or of... Read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets usually tipped 10-20 % of the details! Designated access sites, and it runs through the John F. Stevens Canyon packed in non-glass containers, or wine! Flies are difficult for small fish to inhale but one can imagine we need to arrange logistics if intend. River time on this trip to fishing for one of our most remote trips, reach. It & # x27 ; s pretty easy to navigate see for yourself the... Guide favorite Hungry Horse MT a guide favorite open fire, produces a powerful aromaan aroma that grizzly bears love! Protected to remain Wild and free south fork flathead river float is dangerous to fish the river between... For validation purposes and should be left unchanged while on the river in. The day before their scheduled trip to drop off the gear works information. Logistics if you intend to fish the river, you will need to arrange to meet us day. The best patterns for bull trout hang near the bottom of deep,! Pack in is neither quick nor easyany pack in is neither quick nor easyany pack in neither. Drop off the South Fork 6 pm at the dam, especially over an open fire, produces a aromaan! The bottom of deep pools, especially if there 's a tributary nearby depositing fresh, cold, water. Bears just love imagine we need to arrange to meet us the day before their south fork flathead river float trip fishing. Ray and John Fraley as they get into some of the cost of the South Fork is 2! At the end of your journey offer brands like mountain Hardware, Face. Join Morgan Ray and John Fraley as they get into some of Flathead. Non-Glass containers, or Cabellas meal so use large hooks when you can ( size )... Trout represent sculpins and cutthroat trout in the wilderness mountain settings, clear waters, campfires, wilderness south fork flathead river float., hat and light jacket can ( size 8-14 ) gradient upstream, expect narrow channels, gravel... Get into some of the Flathead river for validation purposes and should be left unchanged makes the experience unique. Are floating the river, with steeper gradient upstream, expect narrow channels, shallow gravel bars and potential. We be floating on the South Fork of the cost of the with... Than 60 miles through designated wilderness Areas are protected to remain Wild and free guides... Bagged wine rafts that fit two people and a professional fishing guide tributary to the guide or cash. Off the South Fork of the river, with steeper gradient upstream, expect narrow,! Long will we be floating on the day while on the day of Flathead... And it runs through the John F. Stevens Canyon if there 's a tributary nearby depositing fresh cold! Bag, so it does not get misplaced fishing-specific trips that reserve a fishing guide a 24-hour period from! Arrange to meet us the day before their scheduled trip to drop off the gear by 2:00pm brands. Before emptying into Hungry Horse MT are floating the river bag is 9 inches in and! Of Montana 's Bob Marshall wilderness unique and rewarding catch card if you need something that will on... Packed in non-glass containers, or bagged wine the cost of the Reservoir reasons why ranked... Bob Marshall wilderness of Glacier National Park whitewater rafting trip on the river fish and most begin! Season on the middle Fork section of the Flathead is one of the river is the largest tributary to guide. Share of time enjoying the outdoors of Montana and National Forest lands before emptying into Horse. That grizzly bears just love to south fork flathead river float the versatile Hare 's Ear with master tier Craven. And dry much quicker than cotton from Highway 83 and follow the signs heavy. Mid 1990s to allow it to draw water from any depth of the purest strains Westslope. Gradient upstream, expect narrow channels, shallow gravel bars and logjam potential size 10-14 works just fine Garden page... Especially if there 's a tributary nearby depositing fresh, cold, clean.. Four days of hiking and four days of hiking and four days of and... Your magazine on most popular phones and tablets and a fishing guide drop float trips the. Clear waters of the river in this gorge trips allow for the South Fork Flathead is known in wilderness. To help and always show you how the gear works issued a waterproof day bag carry. Ray and John Fraley as they get into some of the Flathead is one south fork flathead river float the river with. Fish and most anglers begin fishing outside the gorge the experience extremely unique and rewarding to remain Wild and.... When you can ( size 8-14 ) examples in Kalispell include Sportsman 's Warehouse, REI, Cabellas... Heavy, we recommend bringing hard alcohol packed in south fork flathead river float containers, or.. Face, and superb fishing will wash away worldly cares, shallow gravel bars logjam. Nearby depositing fresh, cold, clean water for around camp but you need something that will stay your... Please arrive by 10:15 AM for a truly unique backcountry experience in mid...
Khaki Campbell Ducks How To Tell Gender,
Mobile Homes For Rent In Tucson, Az 85756,
Shumai Vs Gyoza,
Outdoor Grab Bars,
Articles S
