To reach the trailheads to the Jewell Basin, look for Wounded Buck Road, West Fork Clayton Creek Road, Clayton Creek Road, Graves Creek Road or Wheeler Creek Road. Our river trip from June 29th – July 3 rd were the last days before the river gets busy for the main summer season. The South Fork of the Flathead River is a major river in Northwestern Montana. View a map of this area and more on Natural Atlas. In my opinion, these two forks are some of the best rivers to stand up paddleboard. 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 … 2018 Packrafting South Fork of the Flathead River - Bob Marshall Wilderness Remnants of a very large forest fire from the early 2000's scar the landscape as the new vegitation is re-emerging. We planned to float north for four days—roughly 40 miles of river—taking out at the Meadow Creek trailhead. We dedicate our river time on this trip to fishing for one of the purest strains of Westslope Cutthroat trout in the world. The Flathead River begins at the Blankenship Bridge between West Glacier and the Teakettle mountains in northwest Montana. For the first few days of the trip, the water meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines. South Fork Flathead Subbasin LOCATION.--Lat 47°58′45″, long 113°33′36″ referenced to North American Datum of 1927, in NE ¼ NW ¼ NE ¼ sec.36, T.26 N., R.16 W., Flathead County, MT, Hydrologic Unit 17010209, Flathead National Forest, on le ft bank 0.1 mi downstream from Tin Creek, 0.4 mi upstream from Twin Creek, It is created by the North Fork and Middle Fork confluence just above the bridge and is joined by the South Fork a few miles downriver. As the North Fork of the Flathead passes the Camas Creek road upstream from here the river enters a canyon setting. A Trip Down the South Fork of the Flathead From the Young's and Danaher Creek Confluence to Meadow Creek Gorge July, 2015 Click on any image for a larger view; Contact garya at this domain if you would like the high quality image for printing . A number of other smaller portages on Young's creek. 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. South Fork Flathead flow guide South Fork just below the White River, ~1000 cfs. 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. DURATION: We spent 3 days on the river. This is another very scenic run on the North Fork with not nearly as much river traffic as the Middle Fork sees. Unlike the other forks of the Flathead River, the South Fork fishery is not a migratory fishery owing to the completion of Hungry Horse Dam in 1952. The South Fork Flathead is one of the most beautiful and productive trout streams in North America. The East Side Trail #80 and West Side Trail #263 and connecting trails are closed along this portion of the river. During times of high water, forecast crest information can be found in the text products. 90 total gauges 0 gauges in flood. -S Fork b/t Salmon Forks and Mid Creek: growing PacNW river feel, plenty of water (b/c river is more focused, not b/c of more flow), big riffles and amazing bedrock narrows down low.-S Fork b/t Mid Creek and Cedar Flats access: w a l k i n g. Some neat views of gnar rapids in MC Gorge. trails access the River area between Mid Creek River Takeout and Murphy Flat. Even though the river flows through very mountainous country, the North Fork itself is relatively tame, offering only a couple of smaller rapids of Class II or Class III, depending on river flows. Wayne and I had gotten into the rhythm of Young's Creek, and had enjoyed fishing our way down it. It would be a 30-mile two-day horse pack to the headwaters of the South Fork where Danaher and Youngs creeks join. Flathead River Fly Fishing Patterns. Permalink. The River The South Fork of the Flathead begins deep in the Bob Marshall Wilderness at the confluence of Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek. "Brown Stain" rapid just upstream from final takeout is running strong pushing hard into a small gap in the rock- tipped some rafters The South Fork of the Flathead in Montana is perhaps the best packraft river in the lower-48. The South Fork of the Flathead is known in the fly fishing world as the mecca for dry-fly cutthroat trout fishing. The wilderness mountain settings, clear waters, campfires, wilderness lakes and streams, and superb fishing will wash away worldly cares. 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. The North Fork Flathead River also has numerous deep, clear pools, tucked away among its many twists and turns. The Spotted Bear Campground, ranger station and river all come together 55 miles from the dam. Forecast available . It is a tributary of Grand River. It gains volume with the contributions of the White River, Big and Little Salmon creeks, Black Bear Creek, and other small tributaries. Patchy smoke before noon. South Fork Flathead River is a river in Hungry Horse, MT in Flathead National Forest, Bob Marshall Wilderness, Rocky Mountains. From its headwaters, the river flows north for approximately 60 miles through the Bob Marshall Wilderness before entering Hungry Horse Reservoir. Spotted Bear River is indeed a river during spring run-off, but by summer it drops to creek size. The river begins in the Bob Marshall Wilderness south of Glacier National Park, as does the Middle Fork Flathead River, at the confluence of two streams, Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek, between the Flathead Range and the Swan Range.For some 40 miles (64 km), the river flows freely north-northwest, meandering through a forested and undeveloped valley. The wilderness mountain settings, clear waters, campfires, wilderness lakes and streams, and superb fishing will wash away worldly cares. Sunny, with a high near 85. The South Fork is also closed to rafting from Mid Creek to Woodfir Creek. Midges #16-20 (Black & Green body, white wing) Dry Fly – Griffiths Gnat, Poly wing midge, purple haze Nymph – Brassie, Green machine, shop vac. The South Fork of the Flathead River is one of the three main forks of the Flathead River and begins at the confluence of Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek. Spotted Bear River is a tributary of the South Fork of the Flathead River above Hungry Horse Reservoir. Widespread haze before 9am. There’s no way to verify, but all evidence points towards the number of packrafters on the South Fork being an all-time record this year; a number certain to only grow. For some , the river flows freely north-northwest, meandering through a forested and undeveloped valley. BWOs – #16-20 (pale olive body grey wing) Dry Fly – Para Adams, Para Haze, Sparkle, Dun, Marabou Cripple Wayne and I floated down Young's Creek and then down the South Fork of the Flathead River to Meadow Creek Gorge. Clarks Fork Creek, also called Clarks Fork or Sand Creek, is a stream in Harding County, South Dakota, United States. Contact Information. Winds could gust as high as 21 mph. This north-northwest trending river is about 98 miles (158 km) long, making it the second longest tributary of the Flathead River. Day. South Fork Flathead Subbasin LOCATION.--Lat 47°58′45″, long 113°33′36″ referenced to North American Datum of 1927, in NE ¼ NW ¼ NE ¼ sec.36, T.26 N., R.16 W., Flathead County, MT, Hydrologic Unit 17010209, Flathead National Forest, on le ft bank 0.1 mi downstream from Tin Creek, 0.4 mi upstream from Twin Creek, The Flathead River represents the combined flow of hundreds of headwater creeks funneled from the glacial cirques of Glacier National Park and other wild places within the U.S. and Canada. Interpreting the River Levels. 2 log jams on the South Fork. NOTE: Graphical forecasts are not available for the South Fork Flathead River above Twin Creek near Hungry Horse. Reset View. This opens up many more walk-in wade locations to enjoy fish … The St. Regis River and Rock Creek remain popular, and the Kootenai River, Middle Fork of the Flathead, and South Fork of the Flathead are now becoming prime spots. See the El Dorado County River Management website for a table that describes how whitewater boating challenges change as the South Fork of the American River level changes. We camped at the put-in and take-out, so we took 5 days and 5 nights overall. The South Fork originates from the Bob Marshall Wilderness, at the confluence of Young’s Creek and Danaher Creek. Today; 85 Haze then Sunny. See SMUD’s Slab Creek page for more information and current reservoir levels. It is one of the three main forks of the Flathead River, a tributary of the Clark Fork River. Conditions : South Fork: It s been a good end of the summer fishing season so far. Visit Colorado CDSS Station search to get current and historical conditions for streamflows, diversions, reservoir levels, and groundwater levels. South Fork Flathead River Above Twin Creek Near Hungry Horse, MT. For nearly 40 miles the river flows freely north-northwest, meandering through a forested and undeveloped roadless valley that forms the core of the 1.5 million acre Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. Flathead National Forest Supervisor's Office 650 Wolfpack Way Kalispell, MT 59901 (406) 758-5208 (406) 758-5379 (fax) Office Hours: Flow out of Palisades Dam was dropped to 6600 cfs ( 7300 cfs at Heise, 3360 cfs at Lorenzo) Thursday, 9/10. A Trip Down the South Fork of the Flathead Meadow Creek Gorge July, 2015 Click on any image for a larger view; Contact garya at this domain if you would like the high quality image for printing . Clarks Fork Creek was named after Dorr Clark, a local rancher who established the headquarters of a cattle outfit about one mile northeast of … All South Fork trips start with an early morning in Missoula and a beautiful drive to the trailhead. Light and variable wind becoming west northwest 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Northwest River Forecast Center River Observations: River Forecasts: Long-Range Flood Risk: Precipitation: Download: Auto Refresh: OFF. RIVER FLOW/DIFFICULTY: 6400cfs when we started. We completed 43 miles from the Border to Big Creek. The river begins in the Bob Marshall Wilderness south of Glacier National Park, as does the Middle Fork Flathead River, at the confluence of two streams, Danaher Creek and Youngs Creek, between the Flathead Range and the Swan Range. The Big Hole is looking extra good. Mph in the text products: it s been a good end of the Flathead River to Creek. Horse reservoir down it trending River is about 98 miles ( 158 km ) long making... 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