| Glacier National Park and the surrounding area is | | | | on all the top rivers in Montana. Depending on the |
| known for its stunning mountains, glaciers and | | | | river conditions, insect hatches, and the weather, Rich |
| breathtaking beauty. But there is a treasure that | | | | can arrange float fishing trips to a number of the |
| thrives under the surface of some of the crystal | | | | area's rivers. During July and August, the Flathead |
| clear lakes and streams, the wild trout. The Flathead | | | | River is the mainstay. |
| region is home to the strongest population of | | | | Fly Fishing is still a very popular activity here in |
| Westslope Cutthroat trout in the state of Montana. | | | | Montana for both beginners and experienced |
| This fish was first recorded in the journals of Lewis | | | | fisherman. Many of the guests who fish with |
| and Clark, and is now our state fish. The Flathead | | | | Northern Rockies Outfitters are beginners. All of |
| River is a beautiful free-stone river that drains Glacier | | | | Rich's guides are certified instructors. They take both |
| National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness. The | | | | accomplished fisherman who fish all over the world to |
| main stem of the river is just Minutes from Whitefish | | | | kids who have never fished before. |
| and Kalispell. The Flathead River forms where its | | | | There are two basic types of fly fishing, one is |
| three stems come together, between West Glacier | | | | nymph fishing and the other, more popular type is |
| and Columbia Falls. The North Fork of the Flathead | | | | dry-fly fishing. Nymph fishing means the fly is |
| originates in British Columbia and flows south, forming | | | | sub-surface. You are imitating an aquatic insect that is |
| the western boundary of the park. The Middle Fork | | | | in the nymph stage of its life and therefore has not |
| of the Flathead begins deep in the Great Bear | | | | yet reached the surface of the water. This is a very |
| Wilderness and flows north and west eventually | | | | effective way to catch trout. Dry-fly fishing is much |
| forming the southern boundary of the park. The | | | | more popular. In this type of fishing you are casting a |
| South Fork of the Flathead is born deep in the 2.8 | | | | larger fly that sits on the surface of the river and is |
| million acre Bob Marshall Wilderness and flows north. | | | | much more visible. When the fish takes the fly it is |
| The fly fishing on the Flathead is fantastic. For those | | | | often with such aggression that there is quite a large |
| who want to catch feisty trout on dry flies, this river | | | | splash. Most find this very exciting and will test ones |
| system is perfect. | | | | reflexes to set the hook. Once a fish is hooked, the |
| The best way to fish the river is from a driftboat. By | | | | fight is on. This is one of the many reasons people |
| hiring a guide, one can float downstream in a boat | | | | find fly fishing so attractive. One must experience |
| allowing them to fish all the best water and see the | | | | this to really appreciate it. |
| surrounding landscape while casting a fly line. | | | | If you are planning a trip to Montana, you should plan |
| Rich Birdsell started Northern Rockies Outfitters in | | | | on spending a day on the river. |
| 1995 after spending several years as a whitewater | | | | It is wild, free flowing, and teaming with trout. The |
| rafting guide and fly fishing instructor. Although the | | | | way mother nature intended. |
| Flathead is his home river, Rich now guides fisherman | | | | |