!! Floating From Weigh Station Closed until October 31st

Treat Weigh Station as the Last Takeout!!

The Blackfoot is dropping into a lower, clearer September level. The Bonner gauge is around 627 cfs, down from the last report’s 648 cfs reading. That is still fishable, but trout will be concentrated in the best holding water rather than spread evenly across every bank. Spend time on deeper buckets, willow-lined banks, riffle edges, boulder pockets, soft inside seams, shaded shelves, and current breaks below heavier water.

The lower river floating closure remains 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, so Weigh Station should be treated as the final takeout above the closed stretch. Plan any float carefully and do not continue downstream through that reach.

The weekend’s cooler, showery weather helped the Blackfoot by improving water temperatures and giving fish more comfortable conditions. Bonner warms into the mid-70s and low 80s through Friday, then cools sharply Saturday and Sunday, with highs near 60 and the upper 50s. That cooler weekend weather should improve trout comfort and may keep fish active longer through the day.

The hatch picture is turning toward fall. Terrestrials are still a good option, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles along grassy banks, willow shade, and undercut edges. BWOs are the hatch to watch when clouds, cooler air, or damp weather line up. Anglers are already seeing October Caddis, and Mahogany Duns and Hecubas are worth carrying as September moves along. A hopper-dropper or Chubby-dropper is still useful, but smaller ants and beetles may be better in slower bank water.

Streamer fishing should be part of the program now. Cooler water, cloud cover, and a little stain can make bigger fish more aggressive. Try olive, black, tan, or white streamers along boulder edges, deeper buckets, bank seams, and soft inside water.

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