Blackfoot River Fishing Report | June 30, 2025
The report at a glance
Presentation
Dry fly early and midday, before the sun gets high. On the Blackfoot, a size 14 Chubby Chernobyl ant trailed by a size 16 Cornfed Caddis. On the Clark Fork, the dropper became key as the sun rose.
Lures and baits
Blackfoot: size 14 Chubby Chernobyl ant with a size 16 Cornfed Caddis trailer
Missouri: small nymphs like Psycho May and Frenchie, with tiny trico clusters up top
Pale morning duns still flying
Non-Catch America fly patterns
Best time
Early morning, before the sun gets high
Water level
Flows low for this time of year.
Weather
High, hot, sunny day.
Advice for this week
Go early and beat the crowds, not the fish. Fish the shaded morning water hard, then switch to droppers as the sun climbs. On hot days, expect the bigger fish to sit tight.
What is changing
Flows are low for this time of year. Salmonflies are still around. Hoot owl conditions expected soon as water temps climb.
Next week
Hoot owl closures are likely coming as water temps hit the high 60s to 70. Early starts will matter more each week. Cold-water rivers like the Flathead should stay strong through the heat.
Dry fly fishing on the Blackfoot River is good in late June 2025 even with low water. Fish a size 14 Chubby Chernobyl ant trailed by a size 16 Cornfed Caddis. Most fish are small on hot, sunny days, with the bigger trout hiding out. Salmonflies are still around. Fish early and mid-day before the sun gets high.
What is biting on the Blackfoot River right now?
Trout are rising well to dry flies on the Blackfoot River, though most are small fish. Ryan Stultz reported lots of fish to the boat on June 30, 2025. The bigger trout stayed hidden on a high, hot, sunny day. Salmonflies were still flying, with a few landing in the boat.
What flies are working on the Blackfoot River?
A size 14 Chubby Chernobyl ant trailed by a size 16 Cornfed Caddis is the go-to setup. The dry fly action was strong through early and mid-day. These are fly patterns, not products we carry, so match them from your own box or a local fly shop.
What are the water conditions on the Blackfoot?
The river is running low for late June, but that has kept the dry fly bite good rather than blown out. It was a hot day with the sun high. Early and mid-day fished best. Exact flows and water temperature were not specified in this report.
When is the best time to fish the Blackfoot in summer?
Fish early and mid-day before the sun climbs too high. On hot, sunny days the bigger trout get elusive, so the morning window is your best shot at quality fish. Ryan expects hoot owl conditions soon, which close fishing after 2 PM once water temps climb.
What is the outlook for the Blackfoot River?
The bite is good now but may not sustain with a hot spell settling in. Ryan expects hoot owl restrictions to arrive quickly as water temperatures rise. Go early to beat both the heat and the crowds. Longer-term conditions were not specified in this report.
Watch the full report
Blackfoot River June 30, 2025 FAQ
Yes. Dry fly fishing is good despite low water, with lots of fish rising, though most are small on hot, sunny days.
A size 14 Chubby Chernobyl ant trailed by a size 16 Cornfed Caddis produced the most fish for Ryan Stultz.
A few salmonflies were still flying, with a couple landing in the boat, but the main hatch is winding down.
It was a high, hot, sunny day, which pushed the bigger trout to hide out. The smaller fish stayed active on top.
The river is low for late June. Exact flow numbers were not specified in this report.
Ryan expects hoot owl conditions soon, which shut down fishing after 2 PM once water temperatures hit the threshold for several hours.
