Whoever is up the Blackfoot digging out cut banks with a back hoe, give it a rest. Where is this mud coming from? Yes, it is clearing up but I mean come on. A town of fisherman can only deal with so much mud. With that being said, hey the Blackfoot is fishing ok right now!

The Blackfoot is starting to look much better after the recent high-water push. Flows have dropped hard from last week, and the river is becoming more fishable by the day. There is still plenty of water moving, and wading should be done carefully, but the trend is definitely positive. Dropping flows, improving clarity, and water temperatures in the low 50s are all good signs for the week ahead.

The best fishing right now is still going to be in the softer water. Focus on inside bends, slow bank seams, foam lines, back eddies, soft pockets, side channels, and the slower edges below heavier riffles. With the Blackfoot still carrying good volume, fish do not need to be far from the bank. Work the close water carefully before stepping in, because plenty of trout will be holding tight to the edges.

Nymphing remains the most consistent way to find fish, especially when the sun is bright or the river has a little color. Stonefly nymphs, rubber-leg patterns, worms, jig-style attractors, caddis pupa, PMD nymphs, Green Drake nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, and Perdigons are all good choices right now. Use enough weight to get down, but keep your drifts in slower lanes where fish can actually move to eat.

Dry-dropper fishing is becoming a much better option as the Blackfoot continues to drop and settle. A larger foam stonefly, Chubby, Water Walker, or attractor dry with a nymph underneath is a good way to cover banks, soft seams, buckets, and pocket water. Full dry-fly fishing is still going to depend on the section, clarity, and cloud cover, but the window is opening. If you find calm edge water, soft riffles, or fish looking up, take your time and make the first cast count. Be on the lookout for Salmon Bugs any day now. They should be coming off on the lower sections and will be moving up the system in the next week or so. Always stay vigilent! The Salmon flies will be those humming bird sized prehistoric bugs flying straight into your face when you're not looking.

Bug activity is picking up with the improved river conditions. Salmonflies and Golden Stones are in the mix, and Yellow Sallies, Green Drakes, PMDs, and caddis are becoming more important. Caddis activity should be best toward evening, while PMDs and Drakes can be more noticeable during cloudy or softer-light periods. Bright sun may slow the surface bite in the middle of the day, but clouds or light showers could bring fish into the softer seams to feed.

Streamers are also worth keeping in the rotation, especially early, late, or anywhere the water still has some color. Olive, black, brown, white, and lightly flashy patterns can all move fish along the banks, around wood, through buckets, and tight to structure. The Blackfoot has plenty of ambush water right now, so focus on spots where trout can sit out of the main current and eat without working too hard.

The next few days look mixed but encouraging. Warmer weather gives way to thundershowers Tuesday and cooler, showery weather Wednesday, followed by a better stretch Thursday and Friday. If the Blackfoot continues to drop and clarity keeps improving, fishing should keep getting better. Stay careful while wading, keep an eye on the gauge, and focus on soft water, edges, and active bug windows as the river settles.

Top Patterns:

Pat’s Rubber Legs (#6-8)
TJ Hooker Stone (#6-8)
Zirdles (#6-10)
San Juan Worms (#10-12)
Wire Worms
Prince Nymphs (#12-16)
Pheasant Tails (#12-16)
Frenchies (#14-16)
Perdigons (#14-18)
Caddis Pupa (#12-16)
Green Drake Nymphs (#10-12)

Dry Flies:

Chubbies — yellow, purple, royal, black, and tan (#6-14)
Water Walkers (#6-10)
Golden Stone dries (#6-10)
Salmonfly dries (#4-8)
PMDs (#12-16)
Green Drakes (#10-12)
Purple Haze (#12-16)
Parachute Adams (#12-16)
Corn Fed Caddis (#12)
Elk Hair Caddis (#12-16)
X-Caddis (#12-16)
Yellow Sallies (#12-16)

Streamers:

Mini Dungeon
Sparkle Minnow
Peanut Envy
Thin Mint
Sculpzilla
Woolly Bugger
Kreelex
Barely Legal
Double Gonga
JJ Special