6/18/2026: Blackfoot River Fishing Report

2026-06-18 (June 18, 2026)

Regional summary

Western Montana is settling into real early-summer fishing. Flows have kept dropping across the region, clarity is improving by the day, and the stonefly show is the headline: Salmonflies are winding down (now mostly upper reaches) while Golden Stones take over everywhere, joined by Green Drakes, PMDs, Yellow Sallies, and caddis filling 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 rating: 5/5 | MAngler: 4/5 | Best window: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

The Blackfoot is in prime time. Flows have dropped into a manageable range, clarity is good, and the fishing has been excellent. Salmonflies are the big story, coming off in Box Canyon and getting fish looking up for the larger dries, with the hatch pushing upstream daily. Golden Stones are becoming more important each day, and PMDs, Green Drakes, Yellow Sallies, and caddis round out the bug activity. Fish are spreading into better summer holding water along banks, willow lines, buckets, soft seams, and softer riffles, with early and late windows and cloudy periods extending the dry-fly bite.

Best techniques

Dry-dropper is the go-to: a big Henry's Fork Salmonfly, dark Chubby Chernobyl, Juicy Stone, or Water Walker up top with a Sili Leg Stone, TJ Hooker, San Juan, Prince Nymph, or caddis pupa 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, Peanut Envy, Sculpzilla, 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: Dancin Rickys, Emma's Stones, Fools Golds, Purple Haze, Parachute Adams, Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis, Furminsky's Fluttering Foam Caddis, Hot Spot Para-Wulff

Streamers: Swim Coach, Thin Mint, JJ Special

Outlook. Warm, mostly stable weather through the week with highs in the 60s-70s near Ovando climbing toward the high 70s. As flows keep dropping and clarity holds, 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	All four rivers
Kingfisher Fly Shop	June 17, 2026	All four rivers
Grizzly Hackle	June 13, 2026	All four rivers
The Missoulian Angler	June 12, 2026	All four rivers
Lightweight Fly Shop	June 14, 2026	All four rivers, consolidated