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BLACKFOOT RIVER

Everything that the Missouri River is not, the Blackfoot is a sometimes underrated gem. Considered one of the most beautiful rivers in Montana, its fishing struggled for years, but has been improved dramatically due to better management involving landowner cooperation, and the removal of the fish stopping dam at Bonner. The river holds nearly all species of trout found in Montana, but is noted for its healthy populations of native Westslope Cutthroat and Bull Trout. Warming weather and decreased flows threaten both populations, but for the time being they are both prolific. Headhunters only does a few trips each year on the Blackfoot, mostly for longtime customers who are looking for some different scenery. And they will find it among the shadowed cliff walls and heavy timber that the river courses through. 

Marty Thomas gets out of the boat to enjoy some wade fishing in the Blackfot Canyon.

RIVER of NATIVES

INTRO | The “Big” Blackfoot River was immortalized in Norman Maclean’s novelette A River Run’s Through It. While many Montanan’s blame the resulting movie for our often overcrowded trout rivers, no-one denies that the Blackfoot River is an incredible place. It belongs on every anglers to-do list. An un-damed freestone river, the Blackfoot is diverse in character, fish species and hatches. Like many west-side freestones, the fishing can be inconsistent, but when it’s on you don’t want to miss it. And if it’s not, you’ll enjoy one legendary and beautiful Montana trout stream.

WHERE | Located between Craig and Missoula, the Blackfoot drains the western slope of the Continental Divide, flowing from Rogers Pass to its meeting with the Clark Fork near Missoula. The river generally follows Hwy 200, but is rarely in view of it. The Blackfoot Valley is gorgeous country comprised of scattered timber, meadows and ranches, framed by the Mission Mountains and the southern edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Wildlife abounds here, and besides the usual suspects, you could possibly sight a Grizzly Bear or Mountain Lion in the valley. The most popular floating stretches of the Blackfoot are near the town of Ovando, which requires about a 1-1.5 hour drive from either Craig, Helena or Missoula. There are many other stretches of the Blackfoot, and all are popular at different times of the year. The Blackfoot isn’t a secret, and when the conditions are prime, the river can get quite crowded, often with fly anglers on the upper stretches, and the recreational “splash & giggle” crowd packs the lower river near Missoula.

PHYSICAL | The Blackfoot is a medium sized river, with good fishing flows in the 1200-2500 cfs range. A wide variety of fishing water includes steep, timbered canyon walls and plunge pools that give way to meadow stretches interrupted by the occasion technical rapid. Though you’re constantly floating through private land, much of it feels like wild public lands. The famous and often busiest section is a canyon stretch near Ovando. Incredible scenery is found around every bend here, as the river flows through crystal clear pools with rock shelfs, boulder gardens and the occasionally sandy beach. The Blackfoot typically has high banks and flows through heavily forested country. It’s definitely the antithesis of the Missouri River.

THE FISH | The Blackfoot offers a smorgasbord when it comes to trout species. Cutthroat, Bull Trout and Whitefish are the natives, and can be found in abundance. Introduced Rainbow, Brown and Brook trout can also be found, and it’s not unheard of to catch all of these species in a single day. Natives rule, and we love to see the slow rise of a big Westslope Cutthroat. As the primary target on the Blackfoot, “Cutties” are found throughout the system - including all tributaries - and are found in trophy dimensions for the species. Bull Trout are typically seen, either laying on the bottom, or when they attack a smaller trout on the end of your line. Rainbow and Brown trout are found in moderate numbers, increasing as you get further down the river.

WHEN | Pre-runoff fishing begins in April, and provides some decent fishing until runoff, typically occurring in May and/or June. When the Blackfoot is in runoff, it is generally un-fishable. As the river begins to fall back into shape, anglers immediately are drawn to the impending Salmonfly hatch. Salmonflies and Golden Stones hatch into July. While there are a variety of mayfly and caddis hatches throughout the summer, the “Spruce Moth” hatch is the next big event. Spruce Moth’s are an aquatic moth that fish cannot resist. This hatch provides some great mid-day fishing in late summer and early fall. Autumn fishing is great on the Blackfoot, but by late September the water cools significantly at night, leaving only a few hours in the afternoon that are productive.

TACTICS | Like most western freestone rivers, the dry/dropper rig is the most popular way to fish the Blackfoot. A wide variety of stonefly, terrestrial and attractor patterns are used as a top fly, and an equally diverse assortment of beachhead dropper are used on the point.Streamer fishing is also popular, especially during the pre-runoff period. Keep in mind that intentionally fishing for - or targeting - Bull Trout is illegal. The best opportunities to target surface feeding fish is from late-August through early October, when Spruce Moth’s and a mixed bag of Trico’s, BWO’s and Mahogany Dun’s bring fish up to the surface on warm afternoons. The Blackfoot ices up in the winter and get’s very little fishing pressure.

  • While the main sections are technically open, the Blackfoot is not considered a “winter” fishery. It’s typically covered with ice, and access points are a bit far apart for floating during the short winter days. You will see some wading anglers on the upper and lower stretches during periods of unseasonably nice weather.

  • Pre-runoof fishing can be very good on the Blackfoot, though cool water temperatures and shorter days can result in limited productivity. So pick warm days, and bring big streamers, buggers, stonefly nymphs, worms and popular beadhead nymphs. Have a few cluster midges Skwalas and March Brown patterns on hand, just in case. Flows are often low, so the days can be long. Be mindful of fresh logjams on the upper sections.

  • Excellent fishing will be interupted by Runoff. When the Blackfoot blows out, she’s typically unfishable and can be dangerous to inexperienced floaters. If you are close, you. can keep your eye on the clarity to find those windows of green water that can make for amazing streamer fishing. Pre and post runoff you’ll be doing lots of nymphing, but dry fly fishing can be great on lower water years. At the end of June, you’ll want to start looking for Salmonflies, and carry the appropriate nymphs and dries.

  • Excllent fishing and floating conditions can create some crowded conditions on the Blackfoot. We like to gt out there as early as possible. Salmonflies and Giant Golden Stones draw anglers from around the region, and the “Canyon” section from Ovando to Russell Gates will be busy most days. You’ll also want to carry some smaller attractors - both foams and parachutes - and some beadhead droppers. If the weather is nasty, streamer fishing can be productive. If the weather is warm - and it typically is - the state of Montana will likely impose “Hoot-owl” restrictions.

  • Fishing pressure will slow a bit in August, but recreational floating traffic rolls on. The Spruce Moth hatch is the biggest draw in late summer, but there are a variety of smaller mayflies and caddis that also bring the rivers Cutthroat to the surface. We’ve found some really fun and technical “Trico pod” fishing in September. By the end of September, nightime lows cool tot he point that fishing won’t be great until after noon. Using streamers or nymphs in the morning will be most productive in the mornings, but sometimes you just need to wait for the sun. Hopper fishing can also be productive in the afternoons. Like July, Hoot-owl restrictions are likely.

  • If the weather is unseasonably warm at the beginning of the month, afternoon fishing can be excellent, and the autumn colors can be spectator on the Blackfoot. Likely, the fishing won’t be great, but you will have the place to yourself. You’ll want to choose shorter floats, which often requires a raft to use some of the “drag-out” boat ramps like Scotty Brown and Sunset Hill.

  • The fishing won’t be very good, and there are som many better places to fish then why would you try here? If we were going to fish at this tie, we’d do it on foot.

Mark Raisler with a typical Westslope Cutthroat from the Blackfoot River.

EXPLORING THE BLACKFOOT

The Blackfoot is a lengthy river, with about 85 miles of float fishing, with enough boat ramps to keep you busy for the summer. The upper Blackfoot and its several tributaries near Lincoln and Ovando probably offer another 100 miles of small stream wade fishing for those who want to hike away from the crowds. The area has excellent campgrounds as well, making it a great spot for DIY explorers. Shuttles and services are available in Ovando and Missoula. Living in Craig, we spend most of our time guiding and “day-off” fishing on the upper stretches of the river. We freely admit that guides and outfitters in Missoula are more familiar with the middle and lower stretches, and are a better source of information.

The Blackfoot River during early summer at the popular Russell Gates FAS.