!! Floating From Weigh Station Closed until October 31st

Treat Weigh Station as the Last Takeout!!

The Blackfoot is still low, but the cooler Labor Day weekend weather helped the river feel more like early fall than late August. Recent flow reports near Bonner have ranged from the low 600s into the low 700s cfs, which keeps the river technical but very fishable. The cooler nights and passing rain helped trout comfort, and the next stretch of weather should continue to support better morning and cloudy-day fishing.

The major access note remains the same. 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 to the confluence of the Clark Fork, so Weigh Station should be treated as the final takeout above the closure. Plan floats carefully and do not continue downstream through the closed lower stretch.

For fishing, focus on deeper buckets, willow-lined banks, riffle edges, boulder pockets, soft inside seams, shaded shelves, and oxygenated current. Fish are not everywhere at these flows, but they will use the best holding water consistently. A hopper-dropper or Chubby-dropper is still a good searching rig, especially with a compact mayfly, caddis, or jig nymph underneath. In softer bankside water, a single ant or beetle can be a better choice than a bulky foam fly.

The big late spring and early summer hatches are behind us, and the Blackfoot is moving toward fall. Terrestrials are still very relevant, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks, willows, and undercut shade. Late-stage PMD spinners and caddis can still bring fish up in the right windows. As cooler weather continues, watch for BWOs to get started, and begin thinking about October Caddis, Mahogany Duns, and Hecubas in the weeks ahead.

The weekend forecast is cool and unsettled, with Bonner highs mostly in the 50s and 60s and rain chances. That should help fish stay comfortable and could improve the streamer bite. Streamers are a good idea this weekend, especially under cloud cover, in buckets, along undercut banks, and around boulder edges.

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
• BWO Dries #18-22
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18
• X-Caddis #14-18
• October Caddis Adults #8-12
• Mahogany Duns #14-16
• Hecubas #10-12
• Purple Haze #14-20
• Parachute Adams #14-20

Nymphs

• Zirdles #8-10
• Pat’s Rubber Legs #8-10
• Frenchies #14-18
• Perdigons #14-20
• Pheasant Tails #14-20
• BWO Nymphs #18-22
• Caddis Pupa #12-18
• October Caddis Pupa #8-12
• Jigged Hare’s Ears #14-18
• Small jig nymphs #16-20

Streamers

• Sparkle Minnows
• Swim Coach
• Mini Dungeons
• Sculpzilla
• Thin Mint
• Woolly Buggers
• JJ Special
• Olive streamers
• Black streamers