The Blackfoot River Fishing Report

Conditions At-a-glance

Our Report

Tip of the Week The Blackfoot is still flowing a little big and is pretty dirty. It is on the drop, so it should start to take shape next week the upper end should clear before the lower end. No Salmonflies are flying around just yet but we should see them pop any day now. With the rivers still running big, remember the creeks and stillwaters are open, and could be a good spot while the rivers are taking shape.

7 Day Outlook Up near Ovando, Saturday temps will be in the 60s and then Sunday it will be cool and rainy. The rest of the week looks to have highs in the 50s and 60s with rain possible a few of the days.

Best Techniques A heavy indicator rig is your best weapon for the weekend. Even though the hatch hasn't started on top, the large stonefly nymphs are highly active along the bottom. Fish a deep bobber rig with a heavy TJ Hooker, Rubber Legs, Sili-Leg Stone or a Prince Nymph through the slow, soft water. Streamers are also a highly effective tool for covering water and pulling fish out of the off-color tint. Be on the lookout for Green Drakes as well with the cooler rainy weather.

Conditions change fast! Call us at 406.542.7411 for the most recent updates on area rivers, fly selection, and gear recommendations. Local to Missoula? Swing through the shop to get dialed in with the best gear from Orvis, Patagonia, and Skwala, plus the exact bugs they're eating today.

Local Forecast

Deer Lodge, MT, USA

The Hatch

Salmonflies and Green Drakes

USGS Water Charts

Specifics

Link to Water Flow Graph

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

Visibility

Off Color

Water temperature at mid-day

54

Water Condition

High and off color

Best time of day to fish

Mid Morning through the evening

Best stretch

The whole river is in play.

Best access point

Multiple access points along the 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 Gold XP

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.