!! Floating From Weigh Station Closed until October 31st

Treat Weigh Station as the Last Takeout!!

The Blackfoot is in a steady September rhythm. The Bonner gauge is around 705 cfs on the latest verified reading, which is about the same as the last report and still a good early-fall level. The river has dropped and cleared from the larger rain bump, but the cooler weather has kept conditions much more comfortable than the hot, low-water days of August.

The access note remains important. 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, so treat Weigh Station as the final takeout above the closure and plan floats accordingly.

The cooler, wet weather that came through over the weekend helped the Blackfoot by freshening the river and improving trout comfort. With cooler mornings and mild afternoons, fish should be more willing to use banks, buckets, riffles, and soft shelves instead of being locked only into the deepest shade.

For fishing, focus on willow-lined banks, boulder pockets, riffle edges, deeper buckets, soft inside seams, shaded shelves, and current breaks below heavier water. Hopper-dropper rigs are still a good search setup, but do not overlook smaller ants and beetles in soft bank water. Fish are not everywhere, so spend time on the best holding water.

The hatch menu is shifting toward fall. Terrestrials are still relevant, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles around grassy banks, willows, and undercut shade. Keep an eye out for BWOs during gray, cool, or showery weather. Anglers are already seeing October Caddis, and Mahogany Duns and Hecubas are worth having ready as September moves along.

Streamer fishing could be productive as the fall pattern builds. Clouds, cooler water, and a little stain can move better fish. Try olive, black, tan, or white streamers along banks, boulder edges, buckets, and soft seams.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Hoppers #8-12
• Ants #12-18
• Beetles #12-16
• Chubby Chernobyls #8-14
• Water Walkers #8-12
• 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