Canyon floats · Bonner to Clearwater
Blackfoot River Fishing Guide
Cutthroat and rainbows in some of the most beautiful canyon country in Montana, 30 minutes from Missoula.
The river that made Montana fly fishing famous
The Blackfoot is one of the most beautiful rivers in all of Montana, full of cutthroat and rainbow trout, and the country Norman Maclean wrote about in A River Runs Through It.
The Blackfoot flows west from the Continental Divide and joins the Clark Fork at Bonner, just east of Missoula. Its lower river runs through a corridor of canyon walls, ponderosa pines and big boulder runs. It’s a scenic float as much as a fishing trip, and Tom times it for the bugs.
When to fish the Blackfoot
- June: the salmonfly hatch as runoff drops. Big bugs, big fish and the most exciting dry-fly fishing of the year.
- July: golden stones, PMDs and spruce moths.
- August and September: hoppers and attractor dries in the canyon.
- Fall: October caddis and quiet, uncrowded floats.
Fish of the Blackfoot
Westslope cutthroat are the stars: beautiful, eager and willing to eat a dry fly. Rainbows and browns fill out the river, and bull trout are protected and released immediately.
Who it’s for
Anglers who want a classic Montana day: canyon scenery, eager cutthroat, and a guide who knows exactly where the fish hold in big boulder water.
On the Blackfoot River
From the boat
“I have fished with Tom on the Bitterroot, the Blackfoot, and the Clark Fork for over 10 years. Tom always made the day fun and very productive. I call Tom every time I go to Montana, and I’ve even fished with him in Mexico.”
“Have spent many hours on the water with Tom and enjoyed every minute. His knowledge of the west slope Montana rivers rivals anyone on the water. Warning: repeat use of this guide will likely result in your funniest fishing stories to share with family and friends.”
Questions
Fishing the Blackfoot River: FAQ
When is the salmonfly hatch on the Blackfoot?
Usually in June as runoff drops, but it moves each year with snowpack and water temperature. Tom watches flows closely and lets you know the best window.
How far is the Blackfoot from Missoula?
The lower Blackfoot near Bonner is about 15 minutes from Missoula. Popular floats in the canyon are 30 to 45 minutes away.
Is the Blackfoot the river from A River Runs Through It?
Yes. Norman Maclean’s novella is set on the Big Blackfoot, though the movie was filmed mostly on other Montana rivers.
Can I keep fish on the Blackfoot?
Tom fishes catch and release to keep the river healthy. Montana FWP sets the regulations for each river and season.
More water
The other rivers we fish
The Bitterroot
Montana’s best dry-fly river and a real shot at a big brown. Skwalas in March, PMDs and drakes in summer, streamers in fall.
Fish this river
The Clark Fork
The hardest-fighting rainbows in the area, big summer dry-fly days, and pike on the fly when the mood strikes.
Fish this river
The Missouri
A fish factory below Holter Dam. Consistent flows, thick bug life, and dialed-in dry-fly and nymph fishing almost all year.
Fish this river