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
- 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
The Fly Box
Nymphs: TJ Hooker, Pat's Rubber Legs, Sili-Leg Stone, Jiggler, Double Bead Stone, San Juan Worm, Wire Worm, Squirmy Worm, Pheasant Tail Nymph
Dries: Elk Hair Caddis, Furminksy's Fluttering Foam Caddis, Goddard Caddis, Purple Haze, Hot Spot Para-Wulff, 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.
