Fly Fishing Clarks Fork Yellowstone River - Upper

Overview

The upper Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone flows through the Absaroka–Beartooth mountain country into northwestern Wyoming. Forested banks, boulder pockets and deeper pools create varied freestone trout water. Rainbow and cutthroat trout inhabit the reach, and short presentations beside rocks and bankside cover suit its broken current.

Mountain Water and Fishing

Snowmelt changes the river’s depth, clarity and pace. Work the softer margins of runs and pockets where boulders break the current. Nymphs can probe deeper holding water, while a dry-dropper covers a pocket when trout respond near the surface. Steep banks and abrupt depth changes can limit fishing positions; choose a reachable lie and keep a return route in view.

Spring midge and blue-winged olive activity leads into early-summer golden stoneflies. Caddis and pale morning duns provide summer opportunities, followed by terrestrials along the banks. Fall brings olive activity and chances to work a streamer beside deeper cover. Let visible insects and feeding fish guide the presentation rather than assuming the same hatch across the reach.

Access

Hunter Peak Campground sits beside the Clarks Fork and provides fishing access for a campground visit. From US 212, follow WY 296 roughly five miles to the campground. Parking is associated with individual campsites; it is not a general roadside fishing lot.