!! Floating From Weigh Station Closed until October 31st

Treat Weigh Station as the Last Takeout!!

The Blackfoot is holding steady in low, clear late-summer shape. The Bonner gauge is around 634 cfs, which is about the same as the last report, and the morning water temperature is cool enough to give anglers a solid start to the day. Even with better temperatures, the river is still low, so fish are holding in defined water rather than scattered across every bank.

The biggest access note remains the lower river 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 Clark Fork confluence area, 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 section.

For fishing, concentrate on deeper buckets, willow-lined banks, riffle edges, boulder pockets, inside seams, shaded shelves, and oxygenated current. A hopper-dropper or Chubby-dropper is still a good searching rig, especially with a compact mayfly, caddis, or jig nymph underneath. In softer water, be ready to switch to smaller dries if fish are rising.

The big late spring and early summer hatch cycle is over, and the Blackfoot is now in its mid-to-late summer rhythm. Hoppers, ants, and beetles are important around grassy banks, willows, and undercut shade. Late-stage PMD spinners and Tricos can show in calmer morning water, while caddis remain a good evening option along banks and riffle edges.

This weekend’s cooler, wetter weather should help the Blackfoot. Bonner is forecast for highs in the upper 60s Saturday, mid-60s Sunday, and upper 50s Monday, with showers and thundershowers possible. That should improve trout comfort and may keep fish active beyond the first few hours of daylight.

Streamer fishing could be a smart call if the sky stays dark or showers add a little stain. Try smaller olive, black, tan, or white patterns through buckets, undercut banks, and 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
• 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