!! Floating From Weigh Station Closed until October 31st

Treat Weigh Station as the Last Takeout!!

The Blackfoot is low, clear, and technical. The Bonner gauge is around 634 cfs, down from 712 cfs in the last report, with the latest morning water temperature around 61 degrees. That is still a decent morning temperature, but lower flows are concentrating trout into more defined holding water. Focus on early starts, shaded banks, riffle oxygen, deeper buckets, soft inside seams, and willow-lined edges.

None of this river is currently on hoot owl restriction, but the Blackfoot still has an important floating closure. From July 15 through October 31, you cannot put in at or float past the Weigh Station boat launch/takeout. The Blackfoot is closed to floating from Weigh Station downstream toward the I-90 crossing and Clark Fork confluence area, so Weigh Station should be treated as the final takeout above the closure.

The big late spring and early summer hatches are behind us, and the Blackfoot is now in a mid-to-late summer hatch cycle. Terrestrials are increasingly important along grassy banks, undercut edges, willow shade, and soft seams. Hoppers, ants, and beetles should all be in play. Late-stage PMD spinners, Tricos, and caddis are the main aquatic bugs to watch.

PMD spinner action is worth looking for in the morning on soft slicks, tailouts, foam lines, and gentle riffle edges. Tricos may also show in calmer water. Caddis fishing can still be good when the sun starts to set, especially along banks, riffle edges, and softer seams. Weather near Bonner warms into the upper 80s and low 90s midweek, but the weekend cool-down should help, with Sunday dropping back into the mid-70s.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Hoppers #8-12
• Ants #12-18
• Beetles #12-16
• Chubby Chernobyls #8-14
• Water Walkers #8-12
• PMD Spinners #14-18
• Tricos #18-22
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18
• X-Caddis #14-18
• Purple Haze #14-20
• Parachute Adams #14-20
• Small attractors #12-16

Nymphs

• Zirdles #8-10
• Pat’s Rubber Legs #8-10
• Frenchies #14-18
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Perdigons #14-20
• Pheasant Tails #14-20
• Caddis Pupa #12-18
• Jigged Hare’s Ears #14-18
• Small jig nymphs #16-20

Streamers

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