Blackfoot River
river in Montana
Immortalized in "A River Runs Through It," the Blackfoot is a vibrant freestone river flowing through a mix of forested and open country. It offers a classic Montana experience with good numbers of rainbow, brown, and westslope cutthroat trout, excelling in dry fly fishing during summer hatches.
River flow last 30 days
What's working on Blackfoot River
- 01The Blackfoot is fishing well as fall patterns begin to dominate.
- 02Terrestrial activity, particularly hoppers and ants, is still drawing strikes, especially in warmer parts of the day.
- 03October Caddis are increasingly active, with larger dry flies becoming a key player.
- 04Fall mayfly hatches, including Blue-Winged Olives and Mahogany Duns, are starting to emerge.
- 05Subsurface presentations with BWO and Caddis nymphs are proving highly effective.
Past reports week by week
6 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
October Caddis (Dry)
Regional intelligence signals indicate October Caddis are becoming a significant factor and are actively beginning to appear, making this a prime fall dry fly.
Buy at AmazonBaetis Nymph
With BWO hatches starting, their nymphs are highly active subsurface, providing a consistent food source for trout year-round and particularly in the fall.
Chernobyl Ant
Alongside hoppers, Chernobyl Ants are noted as effective large terrestrial attractors still drawing strikes in early fall.
Buy at AmazonHopper
Terrestrial fishing remains strong in early fall, with regional reports explicitly mentioning hoppers as effective patterns.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Regional signals confirm that Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) are beginning to appear and their activity will increase in the fall, making this an essential emerger/dun pattern.
Mahogany Dun
Regional intelligence indicates Mahogany Dun patterns are beginning to appear, signaling this important fall mayfly hatch.
Buy at AmazonBlack Woolly Bugger
Fall is prime streamer season for aggressive trout. This classic pattern imitates leeches and baitfish, effective for enticing larger fish.
Glo Bug
As fall spawning season begins, opportunistic trout will key in on egg patterns drifting in the current.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Clearwater Junction
Good access to the main river and the Clearwater River confluence.
Russell Gates Fishing Access
Well-maintained access with boat launch and wade opportunities.
Weigh Station
Popular put-in/take-out, offering varied water and good access.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Montana Trout Outfitters
Grizzly Hackle Fly Shop
Freestone Fly Shop
Kingfisher Fly Shop
Get Blackfoot River reports by email
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Montana season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Best Fly Fishing Waders of 2025 – Breathable vs. Neoprene
Expert comparison of breathable and neoprene waders with top 2025 models for every budget and fishing condition.
Felt vs. Rubber Sole Wading Boots: What's Legal Where
Essential guide to felt vs. rubber sole wading boots, plus state-by-state regulations to keep you legal on the water.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Quick answers
Common questions about Blackfoot River.
What flies work best on Blackfoot River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Blackfoot River right now are Stimulator (95% confidence), Chubby Chernobyl (95% confidence), October Caddis (Dry) (95% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Blackfoot River?
Blackfoot River holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Westslope Cutthroat Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Blackfoot River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Blackfoot River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Blackfoot River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Blackfoot River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.