Blackfoot River Fly Fishing Report - September 20, 2026

Fly Fishing Report

BLACKFOOT RIVER

Report
SEP 20 — 27, 2026
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Flow
662CFS
Blackfoot River near Bonner MT
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Water Temp
57.4°F
Updated 2026-09-20
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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.
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
Report generated September 20, 2026 — Next update: September 27, 2026