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. 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 On our adventure South Fork trips, we use a mix of paddle rafts and inflatable kayaks; some people can try different boat options. Western rivers are becoming so crowded that some anglers consider casing the long rods for good. The narrow, limestone gorge allows only paddle boats on this section of the river and for six miles the water crashes through a series of class III to V rapids (this section is optional). East of Hungry Horse Reservoir and South Fork Flathead River lies the drainage basin of the Middle Fork River. It will be hard to measure up to WRO in any capacity. WRO met them in every way! Either way, its a long way in from any trailhead to reach the river. If you fish after mid-October, carry appropriate winter clothing and survival gear. If I did not book the fishing-specific trip, can I still fish? We are located under the giant log arch on the south side of US Highway 2, 1/2 mile west of West Glacier. What if there is a family emergency back home? Lakestream in Whitefish and Larrys Fly Shop in Columbia Falls are good local fly shops to go to beforehand, and a few more limited sport stores like Sportsman's Warehouse and Cabellas in Kalispell. We do offer chartered trips. They also keep you warmer when wet. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. The river meanders its way through some of the most spectacular country a rafter could hope to find. The South Fork of the Flathead River is Montanas crown jewel in terms of remote rivers. It is also one of the wildest, beginning in the Great Bear Wilderness just south of Glacier National Park. Bull trout hang near the bottom of deep pools, especially if there's a tributary nearby depositing fresh, cold, clean water. The guides equally split the total tip amount from each guest. How does the bathroom system work during the trip? Several other trails that follow both sides of the river and connect to additional access points intersect at this location. You will head to the trail the next morning (the official starting date of your trip) and start the hike or pack in. We dedicate plenty of river time to fishing for one of the purest strains of Westslope Cutthroat trout in the world. I can honestly say, this was the most memorable and seamless of all trips thanks to the unique and family- friendly service the Cheffs provide. Travel to Kalispell, Montana (FCA) no later than 3 pm one day prior to your trips launch date. Just got off the South Fork of the Flathead with WRO. We will provide transportation from Kalispell to the Rich Ranch the day before your trip is scheduled to begin. Absaroka River Adventures, Absarokee Absaroka River Adventures What fishing gear should I bring versus what WRO provides? Occasionally hiking members can pack a few beers on their personal backpack, but one can imagine we need to keep these quantities limited. 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. Six Montana paddlers took a five day backpacking and packrafting trip into the Bob Marshall Wilderness to float about 56 . Please be mindful of this when planning your gear for the trip. With no roads or airstrips, everything is horse-packed to the put inits the real Montana experience! I highly recommend them! 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. August 12th-17th: Dreamy Late Season on the Middle Fork. The Bob Marshall is one of the most beautiful and beloved wilderness areas in all the US. You do not need previous trail riding experience. This peaceful and tranquil setting changes when the river reaches Meadow Creek Gorge. 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. The Ultimate Backcountry Flyfishing Expedition. Feel the exhilaration of puckering whitewater rushing through a narrow gorge. If you want to fish, a Montana fishing license is mandatory, and can be purchased just before you arrive if it is an in-person purchase. We usually start floating when the sun hits the water each day and arrive in camp late afternoon. They will not pamper you but will instead tease out your best self to feel as if you belong in the wilderness. While the river is deep in spots, the river should pose no challenges to the alert wade fisherman. 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 . Please contact our office ahead of time to arrange logistics if you need to be picked up. Day 1: We will make packed lunches at the Rich Ranch. 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. Manoeuvre the raft through 9 different rapids by following the simple paddle commands of the guide. 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. We look forward to making this horseback/float fishing trip a comfortable, enjoyable, and exciting adventure. Wilderness River Outfitters and Trail Expeditions Inc is an equal opportunity provider. Yes, we do normally change campsites every day. Each trip is tailored to the desires of the guests, but generally we will be on the water a total of 5 or so hours each day (give or take a couple of hours), broken by a lunch stop and any other side adventures. Long sleeved, lightweight sun hoodies, long pants, brimmed hat, eye protection, and possibly sun-gloves are recommended. Hopper patterns, chubby trinobles, purple haze, parachute adams, humpies, ants, beetles, and general terrestrial patterns are popular flies in this region. The South Fork of the Flathead River is a different beast. If you need any specialized clothing or equipment from saddle slickers to sleeping bags, canteens, or underwear, let us know. The scenery is spectacular, as the river flows through a pristine and remote wilderness. As the river flows through this gorge, the river becomes extremely narrow with big drops and sharp turns. 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. People using pack rafts, dehydrated food and backpacking gear get by with dramatically less. To avoid going through this gorge, any floater must be prepared to pack out their gear (you just cant float out to your car). The Middle Fork of the Flathead River inspired the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and all three forks of the river now have designation under this act. Cast for native trout along grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers. 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. 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. If staying in Kalispell the night your trip takes off, we recommend making your reservations at the. 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. How big are the waterproof bags and how much stuff can they hold? 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. On the third day of the float, we enter Meadow Creek Gorge and the character of the river changes dramatically. One excellent float is between Big Creek and Glacier Rim, a float of about 13 miles. Special regulations and limits apply when fishing in the wilderness portion of the South Fork. 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. In some cases, introductions were illegal, and these include such sites as Coeur d'Alene Lake, Idaho; Keyhole Reservoir, Wyoming; and Beaver Creek Reservoir, Bitterroot River, and Flathead River, Montana (McMahon and Bennett 1996), and lakes in Alaska (Bell, personal communication). Other than the Meadow Creek Gorge area, a wade fisherman can access virtually any segment of this river, spending weeks if not months exploring every pool, run and riffle. For most trips you will need two pairs of shoes, one to wear in the boats and one to wear hiking and around camp. We work with a number of horseback outfitters and can help you to arrange you pack in and pack out,the average number of stock used for people using traditional rafts and frames along with regular food will average 2 pack animals per person on groups of less than 4. Below the dam, the river only runs for 5 miles. However, if youre not, heres something else to consider before putting that trout into the frying pan. What fishing gear should I bring versus what WRO provides? The Flathead River is a large river. The Bob is not a National Park, where a traveler is likely to bump into countless hordes of people wandering its trails. For more information, check out our "Sample Menu" page and "WRO Garden" page. Great guides -- competent, knowledgeable and just great guys. The best way to access the confluence is from the Owl Creek trailhead in the Swan Valley or the Lodgepole trailhead out of Ovando, Mt. If you're using a floating line, tie on a 12- to 14-foot leader and apply plenty of weight. Weather can be variable in the Montana wilderness, so be sure to have warm layers for around camp. You must also possess a bull trout catch card if you intend to fish for them. Up until reaching Meadow Creek Gorge 40 miles later, described later, the river presents no special challenges to a rafter. Wonderful, gourmet backcountry cooking! The South Fork of the Flathead River begins deep in the heart of Bob Marshall Wilderness complex, one of the nations largest designated wilderness areas. All guides are trained in Swiftwater Rescue. Wilderness River Outfitters and Trail Expeditions Inc is licensed and insured in the State of Idaho under license number 441. 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. The road also has a reputation of being hard on tires, so make sure you have a good full size spare or two. 65 miles from the origin to Hungry Reservoir and almost all of it flows through remote wilderness. For example a group of 10 going in and they will only be using 2 pack animals for all 10. From this point, you can float another 18 scenic miles to Hungry Horse Reservoir. If you want to fish, a Montana fishing license is mandatory, and can be purchased just before you arrive if it is an in-person purchase. Trail 110 begins approximately two miles from Holland Lake (take TR 415 to TR 42 from the trailhead). 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. For the first few days of the trip, the water meanders lazily through a sweeping glacial valley and grand Ponderosa Pines. A variety of car rentals are available should you decide to visit Glacier National Park before or after your trip. 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. On the other hand, if you are an experienced fisherman, they will put you in the right spot and let you do your thing! 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. On one of our trips last summer three people fishing the same hole each caught 20 fish in under an hour! We have loved all the guides, and all the trips. Weather can be variable in the Montana wilderness, so be sure to have warm layers for around camp. First, Montana Fish & Game imposed strict special wilderness limits years ago. Access to the wilderness complex is excellent, with dozens of trails threading their way from easily accessible trailheads along the perimeter of the wilderness. WRO provides ample snacks as well as plenty of drinking water, fruit juices, and coffee, tea, and cream in the morning. Most of our tents are high-quality three-person tents, but we only put two people in each tent. The river is navigable for up to 6 miles upstream from its confluence with the South Fork. However, the Bob is not like most other wilderness complexes, which you can simply hike across in a day or two. All Rights Reserved. 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. Draining a sizeable portion of Northwest Montana, including parts of Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, the waters of the Flathead River flow swiftly through some of the most beautiful scenery Montana offers. Our experienced packers will weigh and pack your gear so that you can have an early start the next morning. Phone: (406) 677-2317 Awesome trip! Yes, we do normally change campsites every day. Delta, Alaska/Horizon, United, Allegiant, Frontier and US Airways offer flights into Glacier International Airport (GPI). It is one of the three main forks of the Flathead River, a tributary of the Clark Fork River. There are a total of 97.9 miles of designated Wild River . The nose-diving U.S. economy has persuaded many families in recent years to put costly and exotic vacation plans on hold . A safe time frame to fish the river is between July 15 and October 15. Copyright 2017 Montana River Outfitters - Site by. Day 8: 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. 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. If possible, we recommend bringing hard alcohol packed in non-glass containers, or bagged wine. We like to maintain a flexible schedule. 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. This is because if they break, it is very disruptive to the mules, and can cause a whole mule crash. WRO offers even a seasoned river tripper a way to be in a wilderness setting that encourages discovery and interaction as well as makes you feel safe and part of something special. In addition, fall brings spruce moths to the water. A great section can be fly fished above and below Tin Shanty Road bridge. 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. Will it rain? Almost everyone walks out the 3 miles from mid creek to meadow creek trailhead. Can I bring my own sleeping pad/bag/tent/other gear? We will pack your gear and your float equipment and can also pack you in if you arent up for the long hike into the South Fork of the Flathead River. They are most appreciative of receiving this directly from the guest, either at the end of your trip or at the farewell dinner, so we recommend planning ahead to have cash or checks on hand. Please try to pack coolers and containers that are the same size for balancing mule loads. Spey fishing is a unique way to fish for bull trout in the Flathead. Delta, Alaska/Horizon, United, Allegiant, Frontier and US Airways offer flights into Glacier International Airport (GPI). One day of the South Forks whitewater is enough adrenaline for the whole trip! If I lived anywhere close to the area, I know I'd be in there every summer. For most trips you will need two pairs of shoes, one to wear in the boats and one to wear hiking and around camp. Be aware of your black and grizzly bear neighbors when camping. Do we have to share a tent with someone else? 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. Occasionally hiking members can pack a few beers on their personal backpack, but one can imagine we need to keep these quantities limited. Other than those words of caution, the North Fork Flathead River is a wonderful river to float. South Fork Flathead River packrafting. If it is a non-fishing adventure style trip, we will be paddling the entire trip. You will need to arrange lodging and dinner reservations for the night before your launch date at the Rich Ranch. Belly; Big Hole; Lower Clark Fork; South Fork Flathead; Swan: NE: 1895: 1992: 6: . Lunches are a combination of tasty salads, sandwiches, fruits, and assorted snacks. Seth has worked hard to make the trip work for ALL of us. In years of heavy precipitation it may not fall into shape until after the July 4 holiday. In years of heavy precipitation it may not fall into shape until after the July 4 holiday. The guides can help carry and heat up some water if needed. What size and type of sleeping pad does WRO provide? Day 2: Finish off the hike or horseback ride to the river put in where we will meet the rafts and the guides. . Healthy and nutritious options are always available, and meals always include fruits and vegetables (sourced locally when we can). The natural elements in the Bob should not be taken lightly. Rich Ranch Is there an option for a trip for only my group? Quick-dry clothing, layers, and sun protection are the most important things to keep in mind. After the trip: 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. A third access begins on the North Fork of the Blackfoot drainage on the southern end of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Learn to tie the Woolly Bugger fly with master tier Charlie Craven. Copyright 2023 Wilderness River Outfitters. 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 river is one of the prettiest and most productive trout streams in North America. 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. Synthetic materials are lightweight and dry much quicker than cotton. And how will any future camping cuisine compare to the food we experienced on this journey? And cooking fish, especially over an open fire, produces a powerful aromaan aroma that grizzly bears just love. Guides are usually tipped 10-20% of the cost of the trip, more for exceptional service. Enjoy an exciting half-day Glacier National Park whitewater rafting trip on the middle fork section of the Flathead River. 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