Montana ·
Blackfoot River Fly Fishing Report - September 20, 2026

BLACKFOOT RIVER
ReportSEP 20 — 27, 2026
🌊
Flow
662CFS
Blackfoot River near Bonner MT
🌡️
Water Temp
57.4°F
Updated 2026-09-20
☀️
Weather
46–80°F
Mostly Clear
💧
Clarity
Clear
Check post-storm
Flow is running 662 cfs at 2.2 ft on the Bonner gauge with water temps at 57.4°F — ideal fall conditions for both dry fly and nymph fishing with excellent clarity expected to hold through the weekend.
What's Working — Hot Flies

Egan's GTI Caddis - Olive #12
12

Bionic Hopper - Tan #12
12

Bionic Hopper - Purple #12
12

Parachute - Blue Wing Olive #22
22

Olsen's Straggle Stone Brown Barbless #12 - 32
12

Egan's Thread Frenchie Jig - Olive #12
12

Egan's Frenchie #12
12

Juju Baetis Tungsten #22
22

Top Secret Baetis #16
16

Coffey's CH Sparkle Minnow Sculpin #6
6

Sculpzilla - Olive #4
4

Bionic Ant 2.0 - Black #16
16
Hatch Chart
| Insect | Size | Activity | Prime Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| October Caddis | 6-8 | Heavy | 2 PM - 6 PM |
| Blue-Winged Olive (Baetis) | 20-22 | Moderate | 11 AM - 2 PM |
| Midge | 20-22 | Light | 8 AM - 11 AM |
| Mahogany Dun | 16-18 | Moderate | 12 PM - 3 PM |
| Sculpin / Streamer Forage | 4-6 | Moderate | 7 AM - 10 AM |
Best Time Window
- 7 AM - 10 AM: Low-light streamer window — swing sculpin and sparkle minnow patterns through deep pools and rocky shelves before the sun crests the canyon walls.
- 11 AM - 2 PM: BWO and Mahogany Dun overlap — watch tailouts and flat water for rising fish and match the hatch with small dry flies or emergers on fine tippet.
- 2 PM - 6 PM: Prime October caddis time — fish big caddis dries and swinging wet flies through riffles and along foam lines as the afternoon warmth peaks near 77°F.
Guide's Tip
From the benchWith flows at 662 cfs and water temps at 57.4°F, the Blackfoot is in a sweet spot for fall fishing. Focus your morning on streamer work through the deep pools and boulder gardens using a sink-tip — big browns are actively hunting before the sun hits the water. As the day warms toward the 70s, shift to a single nymph rig in the 3–5 ft depth range through the heads of runs, then watch for October caddis activity to pick up in the early afternoon along any riffle-to-pool transition. Note that floating from the Weigh Station is currently closed — treat it as your last takeout and plan your float accordingly.
Main Species
Westslope Cutthroat Trout
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
