!! Floating From Weigh Station Closed until October 31st

Treat Weigh Station as the Last Takeout!!

The Blackfoot is low, cold, and clear after the weekend storm. The Bonner gauge was last verified around 580 to 586 cfs, down from about 593 cfs in the last report. That is not a huge drop, but the colder weather and snow changed the feel of the river. Morning water temps were reported around 49 degrees, which is excellent for trout comfort but cold enough that the river may not start quickly first thing in the morning.

The lower river closure is still the most important access note. From July 15 through October 31, you cannot put in at or float past the Weigh Station boat launch/takeout. The Blackfoot River is closed from Weigh Station to the confluence of the Clark Fork for floating. Treat Weigh Station as the final takeout above the closed reach and do not continue downstream through that section.

The weekend rain and snow should help the Blackfoot fish more like true fall. Cold mornings may make the early bite slower, but fish should become more active once the water warms slightly. Look for trout in deeper buckets, willow-lined banks, boulder pockets, riffle edges, inside seams, shaded shelves, and slower current breaks below heavier water.

The fall hatch mix is shifting away from summer and toward smaller mayflies. There is still a chance to find fish on terrestrials, especially beetles and ants along soft banks if the afternoon warms, and a hopper can still work as an indicator-style searching dry. Still, BWOs are now the bug to watch during gray, damp, cold weather. October Caddis are already showing, and Mahogany Duns and Hecubas should stay in the box through this stretch of October.

Nymphing will be reliable, especially during the colder morning window. Fish small mayflies, Perdigons, Frenchies, Duracells, stonefly nymphs, and October Caddis pupa through deeper runs and bucket water. When clouds linger, be ready for BWO risers in softer foam lines and slower edges.

Streamer fishing is a very good idea now. The recent weather gives anglers a better chance at moving fish with olive, black, tan, or white streamers. Work boulder seams, deep banks, soft inside water, and bucket edges.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• BWO Dries #18-22

• October Caddis Adults #8-12

• Mahogany Duns #14-16

• Hecubas #10-12

• Parachute Adams #16-22

• Purple Haze #16-20

• Elk Hair Caddis #14-18

• X-Caddis #14-18

• Beetles #12-16

• Ants #14-18

• Hoppers #10-12

Nymphs

• Frenchies #14-18

• Duracells #14-18

• Perdigons #16-20

• Pheasant Tails #16-20

• BWO Nymphs #18-22

• October Caddis Pupa #8-12

• Pat’s Rubber Legs #8-10

• Zirdles #8-10

• Small stonefly nymphs

Streamers

• Sparkle Minnows

• Sculpzilla

• Thin Mints

• Woolly Buggers

• Mini Dungeons

• Swim Coach

• JJ Special

• Olive streamers

• Black streamers