Conditions At-a-glance

Our Report

Tip of the Week:

For the committed dry fly angler, a two-fly nymph rig can be a bit intimidating. For those willing to double up on their nymphs, the results can make it more than worthwhile to put in the additonal effort. We'll leave it to John to show you how it's done in this informative video: https://youtu.be/I1CMS1h76Wo

7 Day Outlook: 

This week in the Blackfoot Corridor, the forecast may be described using a variety of different words, "warm" not being one of them. With nighttime temperatures staying below freezing all week long and daytime temperatures peaking at around 50*F, water temperatures will likely drop even more this week. This week we'll also see a bit more wind and we may even see some snow.

Best Techniques:

In the Blackfoot Corridor, fishing has been pretty productive. Trout are feeding on dry flies and nymphs throughout the day and many are keen on pursuing a passing streamer as well. The Blackfoot is still very low, so floating is not as enjoyable as it could be. Unless you're seeing fish rising, an indicator rig with one or two nymphs (maybe even a worm pattern) should produce. Streamers continue to be productive and other than making sure you're fishing the right pattern (see our reccommended patterns) it's important to make sure you're finding holding water, that's where the streamer eaters should be. On the Blackfoot, these places shouldn't be difficult to identify with such low flows. Make sure you are stocked up with of recommended October Caddis, Mahogany, and BWO patterns as opportunities to fish dry flies appear throughout the week. Anglers saw even more dry fly activity this past week however it may not last long!

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

*The Online Store is updated daily!  Check it out!

*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. 

DRIES
Para. Adams Sparkle Purple #12-18
Clook's Beefcake Hecuba #12
Morrish October Caddis Adult #12
Mahogany Sparkle Dun #14-16
Parachute BWO #18-20
Missing Link BWO #13-20

NYMPHS
TJ Hooker #8-12 - Brown/Coffee
Hot Bead Power Worm #06-10
Jig Prince #8-12
Frenchie #12-14
Perdigons and Bullets #12-14
Duracell #12-16
Hot Bead Rubber Legs #8-12 - Black

STREAMERS
Lil' Kim #04-08
Wooly Bugger/Thin Mint #6-10
Sparkle Minnow #04-08
Kreelex #04-06
Micro Dungeons #10 - Tan, Olive, White
Mini Ice Pick #6
Double Gonga #4-8
Drunk & Disorderly #4-8 - Olive, Black

Local Forecast

Deer Lodge, MT, USA

Conditions

Good.

The Hatch

Mostly Mahoganies and BWOs. Some October Caddis.

USGS Water Charts

Specifics

Link to Water Flow Graph

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

Visibility

60"+

Water temperature at mid-day

42F

Water Condition

Clear & low.

Best time of day to fish

Noon to late afternoon is best!

Best stretch

Most of the river is fishing well right now, but some sections are pretty bony!

Best access point

Multiple access points all along river

Fish Species

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

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 Grand

Best sinking fly line

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

About This Water

The Big Blackfoot River is everything it’s cracked up to be.  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.