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

Blackfoot River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

49

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

With the cold, start your day later and let the water warm up. ***There is an obstruction below Harry Morgan on the North Fork of the Blackfoot that has caused a few boat accidents. We recommend either walking your boat around it or putting in at River Junction instead***

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 10/9/26

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect for the upper Blackfoot from Saturday evening through early Monday. Near Ovando, Saturday starts with rain and a high near 52, turning to snow Saturday night with a low around 20. Sunday is snowy with a high near 41, and Sunday night drops to the upper teens. Expect 2–3 inches of total snow around Ovando. Monday clears out with a high in the upper 40s. Tuesday through Thursday look mostly sunny with highs in the mid-to-upper 50s, warming to the low 60s by Friday. Overnight lows stay in the teens and 20s all week.

Techniques & Tips as of 10/9/26

Streamer fishing should be your best bet heading into the front, so strip a Sparkle Minnow or Sculpin through the deep pools and along the ledges. Once it's cold and gray, fish a BWO dry in the slower water or run a nymph rig with a Frenchie, Duracell, or Spanish Bullet through the deeper runs. On the warmer afternoons later in the week, an October Caddis dry-dropper can still move fish.

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

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    Trout: rainbows

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    West Slope cutthroats

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    browns

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    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):
Elk Wing Caddis N/A #12-16
Vernille San Juan Worm red/pink #8-12
Fly Formerly Known As Prince N/A #12-14
TH 20 Incher N/A #8-12
Bead Head Soft Hackle Hare’s Ear Nymph N/A #12-14
TJ Hooker N/A #8-12
Trina's Worm N/A #8-12
Jig Sparkle Yummy N/A #6-10
Jig Mini Bugger N/A #10-12

Elk Wing Caddis

The must-have Elk Wing Caddis dry fly offers the realistic presentation of an insect irresistible to trout.

2.49

Item #0378

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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:

BWO, Mahogany, October Caddis

Best Time to Fish:

All Day

Best Stretch:

The entire river is in play

Best Access:

Multiple access points all along river