Fishing Season: All Year; Tributaries closed December 1-third week of May.

Blackfoot River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

55

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

This week’s tip is all about efficiency. 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 or nymphs. 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.

Directions open in app

Map of Blackfoot River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Blackfoot River Outfitters
Blue Damsel Lodge
PRO Outfitters
Bitterroot Fly Company

5-Day Outlook as of 5/17/24

Break out your warm layers again if you’re planning to fish the Blackfoot in the next week. Lows near freezing with highs anywhere from 50F-60F. More rain is expected later in the week, but we should see flows stabilize and fishing improve.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/17/24

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 single dry or tandem dry fly rig. If visibility is less than 2’ stick with nymphs and streamers. Be prepared for Blue Wings, March Browns, Drakes, Mother’s Day Caddis, Goldens and even Salmonflies.

Local Species Available All Year; Tributaries closed December 1-third week of May.

  • Fish Icon

    Trout: rainbows

  • Fish Icon

    West Slope cutthroats

  • Fish Icon

    browns

  • Fish Icon

    bulls and white fish.

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Cripple Dun BWO N/A #16-20
Bead Head Prince N/A #8-12
Bead Head Rubber-Legged Orvis CJ N/A #08-12
Vernille San Juan Worm N/A #08-10
Duracell N/A #12-16
Jig Sparkle Minnow N/A #6
TH 20 Incher N/A #08-12
Bead Head Soft Hackle Hare's Ear Nymph N/A #12-14
Thin Mint N/A #06-10
TJ Hooker N/A #08-12

Cripple Dun BWO

This BWO dry fly will prove itself over picky trout.

2.49

Item #79Y8

Buy Now

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Gear

Description: About Blackfoot River

Bottomless emerald pools, boulder strewn pocket water and diamond chop riffles all shaded by moss covered cliffs and towering ponderosa pines combine to make this the epitome of Montana fly-fishing. Thanks to a diligent concerted effort between neighboring landowners, government agencies, conservation organizations and concerned anglers, restored spawning tributaries are continually enhancing trout populations – especially those native to the river. Combining such exceptional juvenile trout recruitment with restrictive creel limits results in a Blackfoot teeming with fish like biceps. Nymphing here is just plain deadly, especially from a boat. We aren't talking about spending the day untangling two pinhead size flies spun tight with 6X tippet around a stick of soft lead and a Don King indicator – this is no tailwater. 4X is as light as we go with 1X common place and bugs often the size of small rodents. Then imagine the same terminal tackle for dries! No stress, just fun. In spite of its familiarity as the inspiration for the big screen hit, "A River Runs Through It," compared to other world class destinations fishing pressure remains relatively light.

Nearest Airport:

Missoula International Airport (MSO)

Hatches:

Caddis. BWOs. March Browns. Grey Drakes.

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon

Best Stretch:

The entire river.

Best Access:

Multilple access points all along river.