Blackfoot River Fishing Report: June 5, 2026

Overview: Last week's rain-on-heat event blew out every river in the Missoula area; all four are now dropping and trending the right way. Rock Creek is the clear play (Grizzly Hackle has it at a 5/5 with the salmonfly hatch in full swing), the Bitterroot has the best clarity of the big rivers, the Blackfoot is waiting on its salmonflies, and the Clark Fork is, as usual, the last to clear. Best window: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Lightweight, 5/31). Weather: sunny and warm today, rain moving in Sunday (NWS, 6/5).

At a glance: High and off color, ~6,000 CFS at Bonner and dropping · 50–55°F · Grizzly Hackle: 3/5 · MAngler: 3/5 · Best window: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Kingfisher's verdict this morning: "muddy as all hell." The Blackfoot took a big push of water and the salmonfly hatch has been delayed a few days, with lower-section water temps dipping to 50°F as flows spiked. The trend is now positive: flows are dropping, conditions are stabilizing, and the famous Blackfoot salmonfly hatch should pop any day. Wade fishing is tough; target soft pockets, slow inside bends, bank seams, foam lines, and back eddies. Fish are tucked close to the bank, out of the main push.

Best techniques:

• Nymphing is the most dependable approach. Heavy indicator rigs with a big stonefly nymph up front: TJ Hooker, TB Pat's Rubber Legs, Sili-Leg Stone, Jigglers, or a Double Bead Stone. Behind the big bug, Grizzly Hackle is running Jig SJ Worms, Wire Worms, Chicago Overcoats, Jig Prince nymphs, and Hares Ears. The salmonfly nymphs are very active and will be migrating to the banks any day.
• Streamers are a good way to find fish with more water in the river. Dead-drift a Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex Minnow, Dungeon, or Woolly Bugger through slow, clean water. Fish aren't tippet shy right now; leave the 4X and 5X at home.
• Dry-dropper works in the shallow, slower water up near the willows as the river drops.

Hatches: Salmonflies (imminent), Mother's Day caddis, Golden Stones, Yellow Sallies, and PMDs. Blackfoot River Outfitters' dry box for when fish look up: Elk Hair Caddis, Furminksy's Fluttering Foam Caddis, Goddard Caddis, Carlson's Purple Haze, MFC Hot Spot Para-Wulff (Brindle and Green Drake), and Stranahan's Brindle Chute.

Outlook: Favorable for the next few days. Warm with a small shower chance through Saturday, then rain arrives Sunday with a cooler stretch behind it. If flows keep dropping and clarity improves, the Blackfoot keeps getting better. Stock up on salmonflies now.