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

The Blackfoot has been on the drop for the past week but is still high and pushy! When river flows rise, fish often move out of their usual lies and into softer, slower-moving water where they can conserve energy. Focus your efforts on prime holding water and make multiple clean, drag-free drifts to maximize your chances.

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 5/23/25

The Blackfoot River is running high due to continued spring runoff, a pattern likely to persist through the weekend. We have chances of showers following warmer weather coming through the weekend that may accelerate snowmelt. Fishing is still possible in slower water near the banks, but visibility is limited. Double nymph rigs with patterns like Pat’s Rubber Legs and San Juan Worms are your best bet, while dark streamers can be effective on cloudy days. Keep an eye out for evening hatches of BWOs, Gray Drakes, and Mother's Day Caddis if the water clears. Use caution when wading, as high flows and debris can make conditions unpredictable.

Techniques & Tips as of 5/23/25

Time to bobber up again. With high dirty water double your chances of finding fish with a double nymph rig. Go BIG on your flies until clarity is greater than 2 feet of visibility. As clarity improves we may have the opportunity for good dry fly fishing on Caddis and Drakes. If you’re fishing a dry dropper try running a foam salmonfly pattern or a chubby. 1) the fish might see the dry and move for a big meal, and 2) it’ll hold up a big dropper. This is 6wt season! Streamers: Dungeons of all sizes, Double and Baby Gongas, Kreelex, Lil Kim, Buggers and Sparkle Minnows. Nymphs: Worms, Trina’s Squirm, Hot Bead Stone, TJ Hooker, Girdle Bugs, Jig Caddis Pupa, Duracell, Blowtorch, Jig Mini Bugger Dries: BWOs: On Point BWO, Purple Haze, BWO Cripple #18-20 March Brown: Brindlechute, Parachute PT, March Brown Cripple #12-14 Grey Drakes: Film Critic, Flash Cripple, Carnage Drake Mothers Day Caddis: Elk Hair Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis, X-Caddis #12-14

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):
March Brown N/A #12-14
Blue Winged Olive N/A #18-20
CDC Caddis N/A #12-14
Vernille San Juan Worm N/A #8-10
TJ Hooker N/A #8-12
Trina's Worm N/A #8-12
TH 20 Incher N/A #8-12
Bead Head Soft Hackle Hare's Ear Nymph N/A #12-14
Jig Sparkle Yummy N/A #6-10
Jig Mini Bugger N/A #10-12

March Brown

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Item #0346

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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:

BWOs: On Point BWO, Purple Haze, BWO Cripple #18-20 March Brown: Brindlechute, Parachute PT, March Brown Cripple #12-14 Grey Drakes: Film Critic, Flash Cripple, Carnage Drake Mothers Day Caddis: Elk Hair Caddis, Corn Fed Caddis, X-Caddis #12-14

Best Time to Fish:

Mid-day to early evening

Best Stretch:

The entire river is in play

Best Access:

Multiple access points all along river