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

Blackfoot River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Temperature 28°

Temp:

28°

Water Temp:

50

Blackfoot River Outfitters's Tip of the Week

As the spring comes to the Blackfoot corridor the whole river comes alive. To find success, you may need to try a few different techniques throughout the day. In the morning, when the water is still at its coldest, nymphing will be your best option as the fish won’t want to move too far to eat. As the day warms up you will notice the fish feeding more readily and you can swap to a dry, dry-dropper, or streamer set up, or just stick with the nymph rig! If you notice fish actively rising, a single or double dry fly rig will maximize your chances of success.

Directions open in app

Map of Blackfoot River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Blackfoot River Outfitters
Blue Damsel Lodge
PRO Outfitters
Bitterroot Fly Company

5-Day Outlook as of 4/12/24

We have a sunny and warm weekend in store on the Blackfoot. Next week will revert back to more normal spring weather, so make the most of the sunny days. We expect chillier, wet days with nighttime lows below freezing next week. Fishing in the morning will likely slow down as the nights get colder again.

Techniques & Tips as of 4/12/24

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 drifts 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 slow jigging retrieve, swing or dead drift. Streamers under an indicator can be deadly. As the water warms throughout the day you should see more action. There have been hatches Blue Wings in the afternoon with fish eating on top along the eddy lines and in the slicks. With the warmer weather we may see more March Browns. *Traveling or in a hurry? Let our knowledgeable staff pick a fly selection for you! *The Online Store is updated daily! Check it out! *Call us for up to the minute updates at 406.542.7411 or if you are in the area stop in for all your Orvis gear and the right bugs.

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):
Cripple Dun BWO N/A #16-20
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
Duracell N/A #12-16
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

Cripple Dun BWO

This BWO dry fly will prove itself over picky trout.

2.49

Item #79Y8

Buy Now

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:

Blue Wings. Midges.

Best Time to Fish:

Afternoon

Best Stretch:

The entire river.

Best Access:

Multilple access points all along river.