If you are looking for a fun brown trout stream, you have several options across Montana. Flint Creek is a small stream, but it does hold some promise for anglers. Despite the name, it is not located in the Flint Creek Range.
Don’t neglect this stream if you plan a Montana fly-fishing trip. Check out other rivers in the area and make them part of your trip.
Below, we will examine the creek, its special features, and the most important things you should remember if you go there. It might not be the world-famous Rock Creek or the fabled Big Hole River, but fly fishing could still be worth some time.
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About Flint Creek
This stream could be interesting for brown trout fishermen in the southwestern part of Montana in the Philipsburg Valley.
Flint Creek flows from Georgetown Lake and is a small tributary to the Clark Fork River. The creek tends to be too narrow and too shallow to float. You will also find fences that cross the river, making it even harder to float. Wade fly fishing is the name of the game when you fish here.
Type of Fish in Flint Creek
Several types of fish can be found here, but most people try to catch brown trout. Brown trout in the 12 to 16-inch range are common in the creek, and larger brown trout are occasionally caught as well.
You may also catch rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and whitefish in the creek. The rainbow and cutthroat are usually found near Georgetown Lake’s upper end.
What to Expect?
One of the first things you will realize about the stream is that it mainly flows through private land. This means that you are only going to have a few access points.
Of course, this is a blessing and a curse. The only areas that get pressure are the access areas near bridge crossings.
If you want luck in this stream, you must walk a bit up and down the stream and stay below the high water mark to avoid getting onto private property. However, excellent fishing is often within walking distance of bridges.
Fortunately, you will find that this is a good trout habitat. You can find the occasional deep pools, undercut banks, and runs. The banks of the creek tend to be brush and grass.
Flint Creek Map and Fishing Access Sites
Get Directions to the Fishing Access Points shown above with the DIY Fly Fishing Map
Public Access Points on Flint Creek
Most public access to Flint Creek is from bridge crossing and a couple walk-in access points on state and BLM land, including:
- Flint Creek Dam (below Georgetown Lake)
- Flint Creek Campground
- Hackley Lane Bridge
- Rock Creek Road Bridge
- Black Pine Road Bridge
- Route 1 State Land Access
- Route 1 BLM Access
- Main Street Access Road
Best Time to Fish Flint Creek
Late spring and the summertime can provide decent fishing on Flint Creek. However, the fall tends to be the best option for fishing this stream.
The brown trout spawn during the fall, and you have a better chance of catching some nice, large fish during the fall. Try to plan your trip then if this is the fish you are after.
Stream Flow and Current Conditions
Check the stream conditions before fishing Flint Creek. The USGS stream gauge at Maxville, MT, provides a good indication of current conditions.
The graph below shows the stream flow (discharge) for the past seven days. If flows are considerably above or below historical norms (yellow triangles on the chart), fishing conditions may not be ideal.
Best Flies for Flint Creek
Since you will be after browns in this stream, minnow imitations and streamers tend to work well. In late summer, though, hopper imitations work well, as there tend to be many grasshoppers in the area.
Here is a list of general fly pattern recommendations for Flint Creek:
Dry Flies
- Yellow Sally (#12 – 16)
- Yellow Humpy (#10 – 18)
- Parachute Sulphur (#14 – 18)
- Parachute Adams (#12 – 22)
- Light Cahill (#10 – 18)
- Elk Hair Caddis (#8 – 16)
- Yellows Stimulator (#8 – 14)
- Chernobyl Ant (#8 – 12)
- Griffith’s Gnat (#16 – 24)
Nymphs
- Pheasant Tail (#12 – 20)
- BH Hare’s Ear (#12 – 20)
- Rainbow Warrior (#14 – 22)
- Pat’s Rubber Legs (#4 – 12)
- Golden Stonefly (#6 – 10)
- Tellico Nymph (#12 – 18)
- Zebra Midge (#16 – 22)
- WD40 (#16-20)
- Y2K Egg (#12 – 16)
Streamers
- BH Wooly Bugger (#2 – 6)
- Sculpzilla (#4)
Gear Recommendations
A 9-foot 5-wt fly rod and matching fly reel with a floating fly line are perfect for fishing for trout on Flint Creek. A tapered 9-foot leader, with tippet size 3X to 5X to match the flies you are throwing, is pretty standard.
Flint Creek Fishing Report
Area fly shops, guides, and websites that can provide a Flint Creek fly fishing report and update on current conditions are listed below:
Fishing Regulations
Montana requires all people 12 years and older to have a valid fishing license. Both resident and non-resident sport fishing licenses are available.
You can purchase a Montana state fishing license and learn about the most current regulations through the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Trip Planning Tips
When you take your fly rod and head to southwestern Montana to Flint Creek, you have options for where to stay.
The nearest Montana towns are picturesque Philipsburg and Maxville, and you should be able to find a range of lodging options within driving distance of the stream or lake you want to fish, such as Georgetown Lake.
Of course, you can choose to camp near one of the streams you will fish. Keep planning your trip, check the fishing reports, and have a great time.
Looking for more places to fish? Check out our DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing in Montana
