!! Floating From Weigh Station Closed until October 31st

Treat Weigh Station as the Last Takeout!!

The Blackfoot is lower and more defined than it was in the last report. The Bonner gauge is around 593 cfs, down from 612 cfs, and the river is sitting right in a clear, technical fall range. It is still very fishable, but fish will be more concentrated in the best holding water rather than spread evenly along every bank. Slow down and spend more time on the spots that offer depth, shade, structure, and oxygen.

The lower river floating closure is still the major 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 to floating from Weigh Station to the confluence of the Clark Fork, so Weigh Station should be treated as the final takeout above the closure. Plan floats carefully and do not continue downstream through that closed reach.

For fishing, look for willow-lined banks, deeper buckets, boulder pockets, riffle edges, inside seams, shaded shelves, and soft current breaks below heavier water. A hopper-dropper, Chubby-dropper, or October Caddis-dropper can still cover water well, but in slow bank water smaller ants and beetles may be more convincing than big foam. If fish are not looking up, small nymphs under a dry or indicator should stay productive.

Today’s cooler, showery weather should help fish comfort and may make the Blackfoot feel more like fall. The weekend turns sunnier and warmer, with highs moving into the low-to-mid 70s. That should keep terrestrials in play during the afternoon while cool nights keep water temperatures in good shape.

The fall hatch mix is building. Terrestrials are still worth fishing, especially hoppers, ants, and beetles around grassy banks, willow shade, and undercut edges. BWOs should become more important during gray, damp, or cooler periods. October Caddis are already showing, and Mahogany Duns and Hecubas are worth carrying as October approaches.

Streamer fishing should be part of the plan now. Cooler water and lower light can get better fish moving. Try olive, black, tan, or white streamers through buckets, boulder seams, bank edges, 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