Message from FWP as of 6-25-26:

ATTENTION FLOATERS: Advised to unload and walk your boat through "The Strainer Tree Area" approxamitley 1 mile below Harry Morgan campground - rough coordinates 46.98791, -113.11272. There have been numerous accidents in this area in the last few weeks including hung up boats on strainers. Be very aware, keep your hands on the oars, and be vigilant. 

The Blackfoot is fishing well as flows continue to drop into a very workable summer range. The river still has enough volume to keep fish happy, but it is much more approachable than it was during runoff. Clarity has improved, fish are looking up, and trout are holding along banks, willow lines, soft inside seams, buckets, riffle edges, and slower shelves below heavier water.

Salmonflies are fading in most places, but there may still be a few around higher in the system and around the canyon sections. Golden Stones are now the main big-bug focus, and they should continue to move fish to the surface. PMDs, Yellow Sallies, caddis, and Green Drakes are also active and will help keep dry-fly fishing productive throughout the day.

Dry-dropper rigs are a great choice right now. A Golden Stone, Chubby, Water Walker, or leftover Salmonfly dry with a stonefly nymph, caddis pupa, or PMD nymph underneath will cover banks and buckets well. Nymphing will still be the most consistent option when the sun is high, water has color, or fish are not fully committing to the surface.

The weather near Bonner looks cooler and wetter through the weekend, with showers and thunderstorms Friday and Saturday, then a cooler rain chance Sunday into Monday. Cloud cover could help the bite, but heavier rain may briefly affect clarity. As long as the river stays clear, the Blackfoot should continue to fish well.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Golden Stones #6-10
• Chubby Chernobyls #6-12
• Water Walkers #6-10
• Salmonflies #4-6
• PMDs #14-18
• Green Drakes #10-12
• Yellow Sallies #14-16
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
• X-Caddis #14-16
• Purple Haze #14-18

Nymphs

• Pat's Rubber Legs #6-8
• TJ Hooker #6-8
• Double Bead Stones #6-10
• Zirdles #6-10
• Frenchies #14-16
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Green Drake Nymphs #10-12
• Caddis Pupa #12-16
• Perdigons #14-18
• Pheasant Tails #14-18

Streamers

• Sparkle Minnows
• Swim Coach
• Mini Dungeons
• Peanut Envy
• Sculpzilla
• Thin Mint
• Woolly Buggers
• JJ Special
• Olive and black articulated streamers

Fishing should continue to improve as flows drop and fish spread into more traditional summer holding water. The Salmonfly hatch will continue pushing upstream while Golden Stones become increasingly important throughout the river. Expect excellent dry-dropper fishing over the next couple of weeks, with opportunities for both quality trout and consistent numbers of fish. Anglers who focus on softer water near the banks and cover plenty of water should find success throughout the drainage.