Thompson River
river in Montana
The Thompson River is a medium-sized freestone river that runs through a mix of forested and agricultural lands. It's a great choice for anglers seeking native westslope cutthroat trout, along with some rainbow trout, in a less pressured environment, providing good wade and small boat access.
Conditions right now
No USGS gauge is linked to this water yet, so we can't chart flows.
October Caddis are making a strong appearance
- 01October Caddis are making a strong appearance, drawing aggressive strikes.
- 02Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and Mahogany Duns are actively emerging, especially in the afternoons.
- 03Terrestrial patterns like hoppers and ants remain effective, particularly along grassy banks.
- 04Subsurface nymphing with general attractor patterns is productive in deeper runs.
- 05Water levels are expected to be seasonally low, requiring careful wading and stealthy approaches.
Past reports week by week
5 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
October Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis are a dominant presence in fall, and trout are actively keying in on these larger insects, as indicated by regional intelligence.
Buy at AmazonSchroeder’s Parachute Hopper
Terrestrial activity, particularly hoppers, remains strong in early fall, providing a substantial food source along grassy banks. Regional reports confirm hopper effectiveness.
Chernobyl Ant
Chernobyl Ants, as a large terrestrial, are still a factor in early fall, drawing aggressive strikes from opportunistic feeders, supported by regional intelligence.
Buy at AmazonPurple Haze
The Purple Haze is a reliable attractor pattern, explicitly mentioned in regional reports as effective, making it a strong choice for curious trout.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) are actively emerging in fall, especially on overcast days, and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
Mahogany Dun
Mahogany Duns are actively appearing as a fall hatch, providing crucial dry fly opportunities for rising trout, supported by regional reports.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Hare's Ear Nymph
This is a classic and versatile searching nymph, mimicking various active aquatic insects, and is a strong general fall pattern for subsurface feeding.
Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
This heavy stonefly imitation is crucial for getting deep in the current where larger insects are dislodged, providing a significant calorie source for trout in fall.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Little Thompson River Bridge
Access point providing wade fishing opportunities in the upper section.
Thompson Falls Area
Access near the confluence with the Clark Fork, with diverse water.
Get Thompson River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Montana season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Best Fly Fishing Waders of 2025 – Breathable vs. Neoprene
Expert comparison of breathable and neoprene waders with top 2025 models for every budget and fishing condition.
Felt vs. Rubber Sole Wading Boots: What's Legal Where
Essential guide to felt vs. rubber sole wading boots, plus state-by-state regulations to keep you legal on the water.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Quick answers
Common questions about Thompson River.
What flies work best on Thompson River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Thompson River right now are October Caddis (Dry) (95% confidence), Schroeder’s Parachute Hopper (90% confidence), Chernobyl Ant (90% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Thompson River?
Thompson River holds Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Thompson River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Thompson River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.