6/23/2026: Blackfoot River Fishing Report

Summary

Western Montana has dropped into a strong early-summer pattern. Flows are receding across the region, clarity is good, and the salmonfly hatch is winding down into a golden stone, PMD, Green Drake, yellow sally, and caddis show. Dry-dropper is the all-around search rig; single dries when fish are clearly up. Region-wide best window is roughly 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and that matters this week: highs push toward 90°F Tuesday through Thursday, so start early and carry a thermometer. Cooler weather with a thunderstorm chance returns Friday and Saturday.

At a glance: Slightly off color, ~59°F midday, ~2,400 CFS near Bonner | GH 5/5 | Missoulian Angler 4/5 | Best window 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m

In prime shape and fishing great. Slightly off-color with about 2,400 CFS near Bonner and mid-day water temperatures around 59°F. The river has dropped into a dependable early-summer range.

Best techniques

Throw a dry-dropper into soft inside seams, slow bankside eddies, and willow lines. A dark Chubby Chernobyl, Juicy Stone, or Henry's Fork Salmonfly up top with a Sili-Leg Stone, TJ Hooker, Frenchie, or Jig TNT PMD underneath. Straight dries work when fish are tight to the banks. Streamers are very effective right now for covering water: dead-drift or strip something flashy.

Hatches

Salmonflies are fading day by day and are now mostly a canyon and upper-river story (still good around Box Canyon). Golden Stones are taking over as the main event, with PMDs, Yellow Sallies, Green Drakes, and caddis filling in as the day warms.

The Fly Box

Nymphs: Pat's Rubber Legs, Sili-Leg Stone, TJ Hooker, Double Bead Stone, Yuk Bug, Zirdle, Frenchie, Jig TNT PMD, Split Case PMD, Jig PT, Prince Nymph, Duracell, Shuck It, Hare's Ear, Perdigons

Dries: Chubby Chernobyl, Juicy Stone, Henry's Fork Foam Stone, Water Walker, Dancin' Ricky, Emma's Stone, Fool's Gold, On Point Para Wulff, Rio's Film Critic, Flash Cripple, Elk Hair Caddis, X-Caddis

Streamers: Sparkle Minnows, Kreelex, Swim Coach, Mini Dungeons, Peanut Envy, Sculpzilla, Thin Mint, JJ Special, Woolly Buggers

Outlook. Great fishing should hold through the rest of the month. The salmonfly hatch will keep pushing upstream while golden stones become increasingly important throughout the river. Expect excellent dry-dropper fishing for the next couple of weeks.

Sources and Thanks

Shop	Report date	Coverage
Blackfoot River Outfitters	June 19, 2026	All four rivers
Kingfisher Fly Shop	June 22, 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 21, 2026	All four rivers