Montana ·
Blackfoot River Fly Fishing Report - May 31, 2026
BLACKFOOT RIVER
ReportMAY 31 — JUN 7, 2026
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Flow
—CFS
🌡️
Water Temp
—
☀️
Weather
42–62°F
Rain
💧
Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
USGS real-time gauge data is unavailable for this report; per local guide sources, the Blackfoot near Bonner is running elevated and pushy with improving clarity as runoff eases — primarily a subsurface and streamer game with sporadic dry-fly opportunities on warmer, calmer stretches. Persistent rain through Monday (90–100% PoP, highs 56–62°F) will keep flows elevated and color in the water, but overcast skies are ideal for BWO hatches and will keep fish active in soft holding water.
What's Working — Hot Flies
Tungsten Pat's Rubber Legs - Tan & Brown
#6
Olsen's Straggle Stone Brown Barbless
#12
Wiggly Worm (TBH)
#8
Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin
#6
Tungsten Jig Bugger - Olive - Barbless
#14
Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail Jig - Barbless
#12
Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive
#12
Juju Baetis Tungsten
#22
Egan's Silver Bullet - Baetis
#14
Parachute - Blue Wing Olive
#22
Corn-fed Caddis (CDC) Tan
#20
Black Zebra Midge (TBH)
#20
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Stonefly Nymph (pre-hatch) | #6–10 | Active subsurface — nymphs drifting all day in current seams | All Day |
| Salmonfly (Giant Stonefly) | #4–6 | Approaching / Sporadic — adults beginning to appear on warm afternoons; high water delaying full emergence | Midday–Afternoon (weather-dependent) |
| Mother's Day Caddis (Little Black Caddis) | #16–18 | Active and increasing — best in evenings along softer edges | Late Afternoon–Evening |
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | #18–22 | Moderate — overcast rainy conditions this weekend are ideal for strong BWO activity | Midday–Afternoon |
| March Brown | #12–14 | Sporadic — showing on warmer afternoons when rain breaks | 11 a.m.–3 p.m. |
| Midge | #20–22 | Steady — consistent morning producer in back-eddies and tailouts | Early Morning |
Best Time Window
- 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. — Prime nymphing window; BWO and March Brown hatches most likely during midday lulls between rain showers on overcast days
- 5:30 p.m. – Dusk — Evening caddis (Mother's Day Caddis) window; best dry fly opportunity of the day along softer bank edges and back-eddies
- First Light – 9:00 a.m. — Steady midge activity in back-eddies and tailouts; streamer fishing most productive in low-light conditions before full daylight
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith the Blackfoot still running high and pushy after recent runoff, forget the main current — it's a freight train. Concentrate entirely on inside bends, soft shelves along cut banks, and any back-eddy with real depth; that's where the fish are stacked and conserving energy. Run a heavy anchor nymph (Pat's Rubber Legs or Wiggly Worm) set 5–7 feet under a large indicator with enough split shot to tick the bottom, and keep your drifts short and controlled. The persistent overcast and rain this weekend is actually your friend — BWO hatches will fire during midday lulls between showers, and the evening caddis window can surprise you with rising fish tight to protected banks.
Main Species
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
