Conditions At-a-glance
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Our Report
BRO’s tips of the week:
Nymphing the slow, knee to mid chest deep water, and riffle drop offs will be your best bet. Those choosing to roll with streamers should consider trailing a small rubber leg or worm behind it. Remember in the cold spring water low and slow, even dead drifted, is your best best.
7 day outlook:
Highs jumping into the mid 60’s this week with overnight temperatures warming as well. Just about the time the river started fishing last week flows jump and the river went off color. Hopeful the flows continue to stabilize and the silt rolls on out.
Our recommendations for techniques and patterns:
Double nymphing rigs with Princes, Rubberlegs/TJ Hookers, Double Bead Stones, Perdigons and San Juans in the deep inside bends, slower drop offs and pools will be your best option. If you want to run a streamer use a leggy bug and trail it up with a smaller pattern.
Call or email us for up to the minute updates at 406.542.7411 or if you are in the area stop in- WE HAVE MOVED TO OUR BRAND NEW LOCATION AT 275 N. RUSSELL STREET IN MISSOULA- for all your Orvis gear and the right bugs.
USGS Water Charts
Conditions
The Foot was out a few day ago but is just coming back into shape now. Fingers crossed the warm weather doesn't change the trend.
The Hatch
Little brown stones and black stones, midges, blue winged olives, skwalas will show up any time.
Fly Patterns
DRIES - Chubbies and the like for attractors in olive, purple or red #8-6, BWO's #16 on cloudy days, Midges in the slicks.
NYMPHS - Worms - Red or Pink, Princes #10-#16, Rubber Legs/TJ Hookers #8-#12, Jig Perdigons/Spanish Bullets in #14-16, Frenchies #12-16, Duracells #14-16, Jig Yellow spot, Pheasant Tails #14-16, Spanish Bullet #14-16.
STREAMERS - Sparkle Minnow #6, Zonkers #6 & #8 in Natural, Olive, or Yellow, Kreelex Fly #6 in Copper/Gold.
Specifics
Water Flow
1340cfs (above normal for this time of year, but dropping from the higher flows from last week)
Visibility
24"
Water temperature at mid-day
39-41 degrees
Water Condition
Clear
Best time of day to fish
Warmer water temps in the afternoons and evenings should help to make the fish more active.
Best stretch
Remember that the Blackfoot, unlike other area rivers, typically clears the lower on the river you are. If you are driving up the river and it starts looking like it's on the edge for your dirty water angling comfort, do't expect it to get better up stream.
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
2x top bug and 3x for second or 3x to 4x for smaller rigs. We use 0x and 1x for streamers.
Best fly fishing rod
9ft 5 or 6 weights for nymphing and dries - 7wt for streamers
Best floating fly line
WF 5wt or 6wt
Best sinking fly line
3ips
