Blackfoot River Fishing Report + Rating

3/5

May 5, 2024

The Blackfoot is fishing well and the fish are starting to look up consistently!  Gray Drakes, March Browns and BWO’s are out, with caddis too.  The afternoon dry fly action has been steady, and most consistent in the afternoon during the warmest part of the day.  Be ready with Brindle Chutes, Carnage Drakes, Extended Bodies, P-Hazes and Parachute Adams.  Skwala/Dropper fishing is a good idea before and after the hatches.  Don’t be afraid to nymph a big stonefly nymph with a worm behind it in the morning, as the big fish are pretty sluggish early on. Later in the day, keep your eyes peeled for mayflies and caddis and alternate nymphs to match what you’re seeing emerge on the surface. We will likely see some high water on the horizon with rain forecasted for the next few days. If the flows do bump as forecasted, the next few days may be tough fishing. Be careful out there. As the river starts to clear up, your bigger flies can be the ticket. Streamer fishing is good, and will get better with the weather in the forecast.  They still need to be fished on the slower side or even dead drifted, but fish are getting more aggressive. Dalai Lama’s, Zirdles, Yum Yums, Lil Kim’s, Dungeons and Jig Sparkle Minnows.

1/2 off Friday’s are still happening, every Friday all year long. (1/2 off your first dozen dries or nymphs)

Current Recommended Flies For Blackfoot River Fly Fishing

Find flies for Missoula fly fishing at our Missoula fly shop or online fly shop.

Blackfoot River Weather Forecast

See the Blackfoot River fishing reports weather forecast for the next 7-days. For more information on the forecast or detailed weather data, please visit NOAA Weather Data – Bonner, Montana.

Montana SNOTEL Current Snow Water Equivalent % of Normal

SWE is an acronym for Snow Water Equivalent, signifying the quantity of liquid water present in snow. Essentially, if you were to take a certain snow depth and melt it, the resulting water height would be representative of the SWE. This is how we can predict river flows and water levels for fishing season.