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, it still doesn't feel quite like spring yet. Nighttime temperatures will continue to be cold and there is some rain and light snow in the forecast through the weekend. The forecast shows that the sun will peek out of the clouds as we get into early next week.
Best Techniques:
In the Blackfoot Corridor, fishing has been pretty a bit slow but as it continues to warm up anglers should start having more productive outings. Trout are feeding on nymphs throughout the day and many are keen on pursuing a passing streamer as well. Consider using larger stonefly nymphs and streamers in dark colors to give some contrast in the tinted water. The Blackfoot is low and access is a bit challenging right now.
*Traveling or in a hurry? Let our knowledgeable staff pick a fly selection for you!
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 - White, Black
A slim-bodied version, featuring a hot spot, of a few top notch parachute patterns. We love to fish these when a simmer profile is necessary to get the attention of those big picky sippers.
A fly designed specifically for the rivers around Missoula. The Plan B in Olive is a phenomenal choice for anglers wanting Skwala dry eats. It sits extremely low to the water making it float very r...
The Brindle Chute, from legendary Bitterroot angler and fly tyer Chuck Stranahan, was developed to match the mayfly hatches on our local waters. The buoyancy and bug like characteristics make it ha...
This variation of a Chubby Chernobyl is one of Mike’s “deadly dozen.” Designed to fool the finicky trout of the Henry’s Fork, this fly will get them anywhere stoneflies are present. This pattern is...
"'Scuse me while I cast this dry!"... The most popular mayfly pattern in western Montana, hands down. It's capable of matching the hatch, prospecting, and being an all around confidence fly when it...
A cripple version of the famous Purple Haze pattern. In our experience this bug works really well on Stillwater and for those picky trout during thick mayfly hatches.
Hands down one of the best mayfly emergers in the game, the Film Critic shines on technical waters, especially spring creeks. It represents a hatching mayfly at its most vulnerable stage, giving ...
This pattern is another of those you should not be without. Caddis are a staple food for trout and are available many months per year. This can be fished many different ways to elicit a strike. Dea...
Same as the Stimulator, but has rubber legs and a poly wing for added attraction. This is one of those classic attractor patterns that are a staple fly here in Western Montana. The rubber legs he...
A variation of the Adams, this fly has been around for about a century now in various forms and recipes but the parachute iteration seems to be the most well loved. This fly is the fly you want p...
Whether the mottled tan or dark brown is better remains an ongoing guide debate. Both work exceptionally well. Our guess is trout mistake these for stonefly nymphs but they also resemble small cr...
Whether the mottled tan or dark brown is better remains an ongoing guide debate. Both work exceptionally well. Our guess is trout mistake these for Skwalla nymphs but they also resemble small cra...
Hot-bead worms are a mainstay in our rivers all year long but especially in late winter and early spring. For reasons unknown to us the hot bead and red color is always better in colder water. Fis...
Designed for optimal fly fishing performance, the Jig Perdigon features a tungsten bead for dense weight that ensures your flies get down quick in the water column. The eye-catching design and drop...
As a highly versatile and efficient fly, the Jig Napoleon boasts a quill body and Its tungsten material adds extra weight for getting down quickly. These quill body perdigons are lethal on the wate...
The Trusted Classic Stonefly Nymph. This pattern is excellent for imitating Stoneflies in their aquatic form. Before the hatch ramps up on the surface, Trout are sure to be feeding below. To dial ...
Another classic pattern that imitates Mayfly nymphs perfectly. This fly has been around for a long time and it's not going anywhere. This version is jigged with a tungsten bead and flash back to ma...
There is something about the Frenchie that just catches more fish than its mayfly nymph competitors. A simple fly that produces outstanding results.
Try the Yellow version in #16 for PMDs
The classic rubber leg stonefly with an orange bead, perfect for getting the attention of trout while winter fishing or, during runoff when the water is very off color.
We were fishing streamers long before fishing streamers was cool but we have to admit, Coffey’s sparkle minnow literally changed the game. There was a time when spring streamer action was limited t...
Same as the Woolly Bugger but with a beadhead for added weight. Good for lakes and rivers everywhere, from winter to summer. Our undying love of the woolly bugger isn't going anywhere, this is on...
If you've ever eaten a thin mint cookie, you know how good they are and how you can't just eat one. The Thin Mint Bugger comes with a tungsten bead and a tri colored marabou tail. Whether you swing...
It's the L-I-L to the K-I-M, baby. Cast and strip, or swing with a trout spey set up. No streamer box would be complete without the Lil' Kim. Get it in copper to keep things natural, silver for wat...
Essentially a full flash Clouser Minnow, the Kreelex has proven its worth as a fish catching machine wherever predators eat small baitfish. The slim profile and large dumbbell eyes allow it to sin...
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.
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