Fishing Season: All Year; Tributaries closed December 1-third week of May.

Blackfoot River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Temperature 38°

Temp:

38°

Water Temp:

36

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

Long drifts close to structure are the name of the game when fishing Skwala imitations. We are talking about inches making the difference between a hungry fish crushing your foam bug or not. Cutting off the dropper and committing to the dry fly will certainly reward you with more dry fly eats, and potentially your best fish of the year. Tuck it in tight and don’t forget to twitch it!

Directions open in app

Map of Blackfoot River

Water Flow Data

5-Day Outlook as of 3/15/24

The Blackfoot is going to experience a significant warmup in the next week. Nighttime temps will still be chilly, so no need to be out at first light, but we should see fishing improve with more fish chasing streamers and rising to midges.

Techniques & Tips as of 3/15/24

Nymphing will always be your best technique for early season fishing. Cold water fish are lazy and will not move far to eat a fly so make sure you are getting multiple difts through the fishiest water. Deep and slow is the name of the game until temps warm up. We like to fish our “meat and potatoes” flies this time of year: San Juans, Stoneflies and large Mayfly nymphs. If you want to fish a streamer try a very slow swing or dead drift. Streamers under an indicator can be deadly. As the water warms throughout the day you should see more action.

Local Species Available All Year; Tributaries closed December 1-third week of May.

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    Trout: rainbows

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    West Slope cutthroats

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    browns

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    bulls and white fish.

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig N/A #12-14
Bead Head Prince N/A #8-12
Bead Head Rubber-Legged Orvis CJ N/A #08-12
Vernille San Juan Worm N/A #08-10
Frenchie N/A #12-18
Jig Sparkle Minnow N/A #6
TH 20 Incher N/A #08-12
Bead Head Soft Hackle Hare's Ear Nymph N/A #12-14
Thin Mint N/A #06-10
TJ Hooker N/A #08-12

Tunghead Pheasant Tail Jig

You'll want this proven jig fly pattern on hand at all times.

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Recommended Gear

Description: About Blackfoot River

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.

Nearest Airport:

Missoula International Airport (MSO)

Hatches:

Midges.

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon

Best Stretch:

The entire river.

Best Access:

Multilple access points all along river.