The Blackfoot is fishing well as flows continue to drop and clarity improves. The river still has plenty of push, but it is much more manageable than it was during peak runoff. Water temperatures are sitting in a productive range, fish are looking up more often, and trout are starting to spread into better summer holding water along banks, buckets, seams, and softer riffles.

Salmonflies are the big story right now, especially in Box Canyon where they are coming off and getting fish interested in larger dries. Golden Stones are also becoming more important each day, and PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and caddis are filling in the rest of the bug activity. Early and late windows should be productive, while cloudy periods can help extend the dry-fly bite.

Dry-dropper rigs are a great way to cover water right now. A Salmonfly, Chubby, or Water Walker on top with a stonefly nymph, caddis pupa, or PMD dropper underneath will fish well along banks, pocket water, and soft edges. Nymphing will still be the most consistent option when the sun is high or the wind makes dry-fly fishing difficult.

The weather is a little mixed, with some wind to work around, but overall conditions are trending in the right direction. If flows continue to drop and clarity holds, the Blackfoot should keep fishing well. Focus on Salmonflies in Box Canyon, Golden Stones throughout the system, and be ready for PMDs, caddis, Yellow Sallies, and Green Drakes as the day warms.

What's Working

Dry Flies

• Salmonflies #4-6
• Golden Stones #6-10
• Water Walkers #6-10
• Chubby Chernobyls #6-12
• PMDs #14-18
• Green Drakes #10-12
• Yellow Sallies #14-16
• Elk Hair Caddis #14-16
• X-Caddis #14-16
• Purple Haze #14-18
• Parachute Adams #14-18

Nymphs

• Pat's Rubber Legs #6-8
• TJ Hooker #6-8
• Zirdles #6-10
• Double Bead Stones #6-10
• Frenchies #14-16
• Psycho May #14-18
• Split Case PMDs #14-18
• Green Drake Nymphs #10-12
• Caddis Pupa #12-16
• Perdigons #14-18
• Pheasant Tails #14-18

Streamers

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

Fishing should continue to improve as flows drop and fish spread into more traditional summer holding water. The Salmonfly hatch will continue pushing upstream while Golden Stones become increasingly important throughout the river. Expect excellent dry-dropper fishing over the next couple of weeks, with opportunities for both quality trout and consistent numbers of fish. Anglers who focus on softer water near the banks and cover plenty of water should find success throughout the drainage.