Fishing Outlook & Conditions
Water Temp:
36
Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week
Long drifts close to structure are the name of the game when fishing Skwala imitations. We are talking about inches making the difference between a hungry fish crushing your foam bug or not. Cutting off the dropper and committing to the dry fly will certainly reward you with more dry fly eats, and potentially your best fish of the year. Tuck it in tight and don’t forget to twitch it!
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Water Flow Data
Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby
Blackfoot River OutfittersBlue Damsel Lodge
PRO Outfitters
Bitterroot Fly Company
5-Day Outlook as of 3/15/24
The Blackfoot is going to experience a significant warmup in the next week. Nighttime temps will still be chilly, so no need to be out at first light, but we should see fishing improve with more fish chasing streamers and rising to midges.
Techniques & Tips as of 3/15/24
Nymphing will always be your best technique for early season fishing. Cold water fish are lazy and will not move far to eat a fly so make sure you are getting multiple difts through the fishiest water. Deep and slow is the name of the game until temps warm up. We like to fish our “meat and potatoes” flies this time of year: San Juans, Stoneflies and large Mayfly nymphs. If you want to fish a streamer try a very slow swing or dead drift. Streamers under an indicator can be deadly. As the water warms throughout the day you should see more action.
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): |
---|---|---|
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig | N/A | #12-14 |
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 |
Frenchie | N/A | #12-18 |
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 |
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig
You'll want this proven jig fly pattern on hand at all times.
2.99
Item #3R76
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