Conditions At-a-glance
good
Our Report
With average daytime temps dropping into the mid 60’s and the night time length increasing every day we are definitely in fall mode on the Blackfoot river now. Fires are going out and snow is flying on the higher passes and mountains.
BEST TECHNIQUES – Hopper/dropper is still the “go-to” set up for the Blackfoot….the surface activity will pick up once things warm up a bit and the hoppers start moving around again. The worm and a smaller pheasant tail have been working well lately.
OUR TIPS FOR THE WEEK – Roll with the chubby or hopper with a long (3′) tungsten bead dropper. Concentrate on the deep green cuts and boulder field. Look for October caddis when it’s warmer – try an orange stimulator for best results.
7 DAY OUTLOOK – It appears the things will be quite a bit cooler for the next week…highs in the 60’s and maybe 70 here and there. Clouds and rain predicted for the next few days. This should result in good mayfly fishing. Watch for hoppers once the sun is out.
Stop in, say hi to Terri, John, Matthew, Matt or Fred and we will give you the run down at Blackfoot River Outfitters 3055 North Reserve Street — 406.542.7411.
We are open from 8:30am – 6pm Monday-Friday and 8:30am-5pm Saturdays and 8:30 – noon Sundays.
Conditions
Water temps are falling hard. Fall weather predicted for rest of season. The afternoons will fish better than the mornings with these cool temps.
The Hatch
trico mayflies, nocturnal stones, a few psuedos and pmds.
Fly Patterns
DRIES - Chubbies or other large attractors that will hold up deep tunghead nymphs, Spruce moth patterns in #16/14, traditional hoppers, haze or brindles #16-14
NYMPHS -Prince, pheasant tails, and north forks in #14-12, red worms still ok
STREAMERS- Freshwater Clouser, Tunghead Marabou Muddler, Sparkle Minnow, Articulated Sculpins
Specifics
Water Flow
609 cfs at Bonner
Visibility
5 feet
Water temperature at mid-day
Upper 50's on lower river... cooler closer to the North Fork
Water Condition
Perfectly clear
Best time of day to fish
The Foot has been fishing reasonably well but afternoons tend to be better than later in the fall.
Best stretch
The whole river is fishing well.....a bit colder the further up river you go.
Best access point
Multiple access points all along river.
Fish species
Rainbows, West Slope cutthroats, cutbows, browns, bulls and white fish
Fishing season
All Year
Nearest airport
Missoula International Airport (MSO)
Recommended fly fishing leader
9 Foot Leader
Recommended fly fishing tippet
4X Tippet
Best fly fishing rod
9' 5 Weight Fly Rod
Best floating fly line
WF Trout Fly Line
Best sinking fly line
Streamer Stripper Sink Tip Fly Line
