Blackfoot River Fishing Report: May 31, 2026

Runoff is back across the region after another warm push. The Bitterroot is the most fishable mainstem; Salmonflies have arrived on lower Rock Creek but high, off-color water is throttling the dry-fly bite everywhere. Nymph heavy, fish the soft edges, and treat dries as opportunistic until flows drop.

Conditions: High and off-color · Bonner ~6,520 CFS · 50–55°F · Grizzly Hackle: 2.5/5 · Best window: 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Big-water program. Keep wading conservative and skip fast pocket water that can't be controlled.

The Blackfoot took a big push and is running around 6,000+ CFS into the weekend. Clarity is improving — that signature "Blackfoot green" is starting to show — but wade fishing will be tough. No Salmonflies flying yet, though they should pop within a couple weeks; the Salmonfly nymphs are very active. Focus on soft pockets, slow inside bends, and willow-lined edges. Creeks and stillwaters are a smart pivot while the main river is up.

Best techniques

• Indicator nymph rigs with a big stonefly + worm dropper — get down in soft pockets and slower seams
• Streamers slow and deep along banks and structure as visibility improves
• Dry-dropper in shallow willow water for opportunistic fish

Hatches & flies

• Salmonfly nymphs — TJ Hooker, Pat's Rubber Legs (TB), Sili-Leg Stone, Jiggler, Double Bead Stone
• Worms — San Juan Worm, Wire Worm, Squirmy Worm
• Mayflies — Pheasant Tail Nymph, generic perdigon
• Dries (as risers appear) — Elk Hair Caddis, Furminksy's Fluttering Foam Caddis, Goddard Caddis, Carlson's Purple Haze, MFC Hot Spot Para-Wulff, Stranahan's Brindle Chute
• Streamers — Sparkle Minnow, Kreelex, Woolly Bugger

Outlook: Cool and wet through the weekend (highs in the 50s near Ovando with rain Saturday/Sunday); warming back into the 60s and 70s by Tuesday. The Salmonfly hatch is the prize — likely a couple weeks out as the river finishes shaping up.