Fishing Outlook & Conditions
Water Temp:
49
Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week
This week’s tip is all about being flexible. Being prepared to fish a combination of dry flies, nymphs, and streamers will allow anglers to take advantage of whatever is thrown their way this week as we transition into runoff conditions. If you’re fishing with a buddy or have a spare rod available to you, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have one rod rigged up for a dry/dry dropper setup and the other rod set up to fish streamers. Alternating between these setups could be the ticket if you’re having trouble honing in on what the fish are feeding on. Just remember, wait until after you’ve done your due diligence with your dry/dry dropper setup before you throw your streamer through a hole to ensure you’re not spooking the dry fly eaters with a big streamer *See our 7 Day Outlook for updates on blockages jamming up the Bitterroot.
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Water Flow Data
Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby
Blackfoot River OutfittersBlue Damsel Lodge
Montana Hunting and Fishing Adventures
Triple Creek Ranch
5-Day Outlook as of 5/10/24
7 Day Outlook: We are looking at some hot weather in the Bitterroot valley this week with not a whole lot of precipitation in the forecast. If you are floating please use extreme caution. This river changes rapidly and is known for producing fatal log jams. Give us a call for an updated obstruction report. If you see any issues be sure to call us or send pics so we can share the same. Thanks. *There are currently MANY obstructions on the Bitterroot. Hannon-Wally: Several sweepers in this section. It is getting tougher as water drops. Wally-Anglers: flows over Sleeping Child dam are always dicey! Don’t consider running after a scout unless you are highly skilled. The channel around the left side is too low to consider. Vets-Woodside: More wood down between New Bridge and Blodgett Park. The river right channel will require careful scouting and likely boat dragging. Woodside-Tucker: New tree down in right channel need to stay left here. The left channel at the split is open but be sure to choose your splits wisely, and the right channel over the diversion dam may need to be portaged. Have a look before you run it. Tucker-Bell: Very sketchy in the channel through the woods now that the water has come up. Consider going somewhere else until runoff subsides. Bell-Stevi: Follow the sign that says “GO LEFT” to miss the log jam. A new log is exposed in the “clear” channel so proceed with caution. Stevi-Florence: Clear. Follow the water at any splits. As the river fluctuates it is smart to pull over and check for any potential changes. When In Doubt, Eddy Out! As always, we want anglers to know that they are responsible for their own wellbeing when they are on the water. As an outfitter, we will try our best to bring known dangers to light, but conditions and obstructions are always changing and we can't possibly keep up with every danger that may present itself. When in doubt, eddy out and walk downstream to get a good look at what you're dealing with!
Techniques & Tips as of 5/10/24
Best Techniques: Once again, nymphing or fishing a dry-dropper will be effective in the mornings and then as hatches start to fire up in the afternoon you can switch to a tandem rig. As the water starts to get dirty this week, don’t be afraid to bust out your favorite streamers in the evenings! We’re not seeing too many Skwalas as of late, however we are continuing to see Blue Wings, March Browns and Midges. There are some Gray Drakes in the mix, and Mother’s Day Caddis should start being on your radar in the coming weeks. *Traveling or in a hurry? Let our knowledgeable staff pick a fly selection for you! *The Online Store is updated daily! Check it out! *Call us for up to the minute updates at 406.542.7411 or if you are in the area stop in for all your Orvis gear and the right bugs.
Local Species Available Year round; some tributaries closed December 1-third week of May. Check regulations before fishing.
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Trout - rainbows
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browns and cutties - whitefish
Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Fly Patterns
"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:
Name: | Colors: | Size(s): |
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Stimulator | N/A | #10-14 |
Chernobyl Ant | N/A | #10-14 |
Cripple Dun BWO | N/A | #16-20 |
Sparkle Dun | March Brown | #12-14 |
TJ Hooker | N/A | #08-12 |
Sparkle Minnow | N/A | #04-08 |
TH 20 Incher | N/A | #8-12 |
Tungsten Jig Bugger | N/A | #06-10 |
Thin Mint | N/A | #06-10 |
Duracell | N/A | #12-16 |
Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Gear
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Best Leader:
Super Strong Plus Leaders
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Best Tippet:
SuperStrong Plus Tippet in 30- and 100-meter spools
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Best Fly Fishing Rod:
5-Weight 9' Fly Rod
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Best Floating Fly Line:
WF Trout Fly Line
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Best Sinking Fly Line:
Bank Shot Sink Tip Fly Line