6/16/2026: Blackfoot River Fishing Report

Summary

Western Montana has shifted from runoff survival into real early-summer fishing. Flows are dropping across the region, clarity is improving by the day, and the Salmonfly hatch is the headline story, joined now by Golden Stones building everywhere, plus Green Drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and caddis filling in the dry-fly windows. Big-bug dry-dropper fishing is the dominant game on all four rivers. Rock Creek and the Blackfoot are the standout dry-fly options; the Bitterroot is the safest all-around bet; the Clark Fork is improving and rewards careful water selection. Warm afternoons are in the forecast, so fish the late-morning-through-early-afternoon window and watch water temperatures.

At a glance: Dropping, slightly off color, ~54°F midday, ~3,010 CFS at Bonner | GH 5/5 | Missoulian Angler 4/5 | Best window 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m

The Blackfoot has come into prime time. The runoff mud is gone, flows have dropped into a realistic range, and the river is fishing very well. Salmonflies are the main event, coming off in Box Canyon and spotted throughout the system, with the bulk of the hatch on the lower and middle river and pushing upstream daily. Golden Stones are becoming more important, and PMDs, Yellow Sallies, caddis, and Green Drakes are adding variety. Fish are looking up consistently along banks, willow lines, soft seams, buckets, and slower edges.

Best techniques

Dry-dropper is the go-to: a big Henry's Fork Salmonfly, dark Chubby Chernobyl, or Juicy Stone up top with a Sili Leg Stone, TJ Hooker, San Juan, or Prince Nymph underneath. Nymphing stays most consistent early or under high sun, where Yuk Bugs, Double Bead Stones, Pat's Rubber Legs, Frenchies, Shuck Its, Hare's Ears, and Jig PTs all produce. Streamers are picking up fast: dead-drift or strip Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex Minnows, Mini Dungeons, and Woolly Buggers through deeper buckets and shaded banks.

Hatches

Salmonflies (#4-6), Golden Stones (#6-10), Green Drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and caddis.

The Fly Box

Nymphs: Zirdles, Psycho May, Split Case PMDs, Duracells

Dries: Water Walkers, Dancin Rickys, Emma's Stones, Fools Golds, Purple Haze, Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Furminsky's Fluttering Foam Caddis

Streamers: Swim Coach, Peanut Envy, Sculpzilla, Thin Mint, JJ Special

Outlook. Warm, mostly stable weather through the week with highs in the 60s to 70s near Ovando climbing toward the high 70s. As flows keep dropping and clarity improves, the Blackfoot should keep fishing well. The salmonfly window will not last forever, so get in on it now; expect excellent dry-dropper fishing for the next couple of weeks as Golden Stones take over.

Sources and Thanks

Shop	Report date	Coverage
Blackfoot River Outfitters	June 12, 2026	Blackfoot River
Kingfisher Fly Shop	June 15, 2026	Blackfoot River
Grizzly Hackle	June 13, 2026	Blackfoot River
The Missoulian Angler	June 12, 2026	Blackfoot River
Lightweight Fly Shop	June 14, 2026	Blackfoot River