The Blackfoot River Fishing Report

Updated Thursday, September 14 at 5:57PM
The Big Blackfoot River is everything it’s cracked up to be.  Wild canyons, deep green boulder choked channels and healthy wild trout.

Conditions At-a-glance

Our Report

Tip of the Week:

Cut off the dropper if you are getting refusals on your hopper pattern.  Sometimes this can be the key to an aggressive hopper eat.  Also, if your ultra-realistic pattern isn’t enticing the trout, try something more general, like a Plan B or a Chubby.  We like to fish bright colors like purple, pink and peach during hopper season.  Don’t be afraid to mix it up.

7 Day Outlook:

Water temps are ideal on the Blackfoot right now, but flows are low.  Be prepared for a busy day on the oars.  Weather for the upcoming week is looking great.  Definitely consider getting out on the Blackfoot in the next week.

Best techniques:

Terrestrial fishing has been good, but not not great.  Try an ant or beetle pattern behind your hopper to fool the pickier fish.  We’ve seen smaller fish nibble at chubby when fishing a dry-dropper rig, but most fish have been coming on the nymph.  Rubber legs and San Juans are still producing, but the Duracells, Frenchies and Perdigons/Bullets have been most effective.  Flashy and light colored streamers fished fast or deep.  Streamer fishing will be best in the earliest hours of the day.

*Traveling or in a hurry?  Let our knowledgeable staff pick a fly selection for you!

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*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 Forecast

Deer Lodge, MT, USA

Conditions

Conditions are good on the Blackfoot and will continue to improve with cooler temperatures.

The Hatch

Terrestrials. A few October Caddis around.

Fly Patterns

DRIES

  • Chubby Chernobyl #08-12
  • Micro Chub #12-16
  • Plan B #08-12
  • Purple Haze #12-16
  • Henneberry Hopper #10-12
  • Juicy Hopper #06-12
  • Foam Beetle #12-14
  • Para-Ant #14-16
  • Trico Spinner #20-22
  • October Caddis #08-10

NYMPHS

  • TJ Hooker #10-14
  • Perdigon #14-18
  • Spanish Bullet #14-18
  • Frenchie #12-16
  • Duracell #12-16
  • Prince Nymph #10-14
  • Hare’s Ear #12-16
  • Jig PT #14-18
  • October Caddis #08-10

STREAMERS

  • Double Gonga
  • Godzilla Sculpin #04 & #10 in Natural, Olive, or White
  • Buggers #06-12
  • Dungeon and Mini-Dungeons in Natural, Cream, White and Olive
  • Sparkle Minnows #04-08
  • Kreelex #6

USGS Water Charts

Specifics

Water Flow

580cfs (slightly below average for this time of year)

Link to Water Flow Graph

http://on.doi.gov/1Tp3aKZ"

Visibility

36"+

Water temperature at mid-day

62F

Water Condition

Clear

Best time of day to fish

Mornings to early afternoon. Evenings.

Best stretch

The entire river is fishing well right now. Low flows make for very busy rowing some sections. Keep your head up.

Best access point

Multiple access points all along river

Fish Species

Rainbows, westslope cutthroats, cutbows, browns, bull trout and whitefish.

Fishing Season

All Year - Winter can be tough.

Nearest airport

Missoula International Airport (MSO)

Recommended fly fishing leader

From a boat - 7.5' 3x-4x. Wading step it up to 9'

Recommended fly fishing tippet

3X, 4X and 5X will cover 90% of our fishing applications. 1-2X is great for punching out large, wind resistant dries in high dirty water. Don't drop lower than 10lb for streamers (we recommend a 4-5' 10lb tapered leader with a sink tip fly line). Leave the 6X at home.

Best fly fishing rod

The 9' 5WT is our do it all rod. Fast action rods will be best for most of our fishing; foam dries, dry-dropper fishing and nymphing. A fast action 6WT will be useful for large foam dries, small streamers, heavy nymph rigs and punching bugs through the afternoon wind. Bring a 7WT if you plan to fish large articulated streamers.

Best floating fly line

Scientific Anglers MPX or Rio Gold

Best sinking fly line

Scientific Anglers Trout Express or Rio Predator F/I/S3

Recommended Gear based on this report

Orvis Encased Stream Thermometer
Orvis
Orvis Encased Stream Thermometer
Price
$11.95
Scientific Anglers Sonar Trout Express Fly Line
Scientific Anglers Sonar Trout Express Fly Line
Scientific Anglers
Scientific Anglers Sonar Trout Express Fly Line
Price
$99.95
Scientific Anglers Absolute Fluorocarbon Trout Tippet Clear - 30M
Scientific Anglers
Scientific Anglers Absolute Fluorocarbon Trout Tippet Clear - 30M
Price
$16.95
Scientific Anglers Absolute Trout Leader 3-Pack
Scientific Anglers
Scientific Anglers Absolute Trout Leader 3-Pack
Price
$19.95
Scientific Anglers Absolute Trout Tippet Clear - 30M
Scientific Anglers
Scientific Anglers Absolute Trout Tippet Clear - 30M
Price
$8.95
High and Dry Gel Floatant
High N Dry
High and Dry Gel Floatant
Price
$9.95
High N Dry Liquid Spray Floatant
High N Dry
High N Dry Liquid Spray Floatant
Price
$9.95
High N Dry Powdered Floatant & Desiccant
High N Dry
High N Dry Powdered Floatant & Desiccant
Price
$9.95
Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth MPX
Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth MPX
Scientific Anglers
Scientific Anglers Amplitude Smooth MPX
Price
$99.95
Rio Gold Premier Fly Line
Rio Gold Premier Fly Line
Rio Products
Rio Gold Premier Fly Line
Price
$99.99
Summer Fly Assortment
Summer Fly Assortment
Blackfoot River Outfitters
Summer Fly Assortment
Price
From $36.95
Streamer Assortment
Streamer Assortment
Blackfoot River Outfitters
Streamer Assortment
Price
From $39.95