Blackfoot River : Fly Fishing.gif)
A
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Blackfoot River : Cedar Meadows FAS to River Junction FAS
This section of
the Blackfoot River runs for twelve-miles. For anyone who
ends up on this section of the water by way of floating down
from further upstream, this stretch of the Blackfoot River
will be a relief. The river straightens out significantly
and the flow increases somewhat. While some stretches of slow
water will still be found, they are not nearly as extensive
as found just upstream.
 Once
again, brown trout dominate in this section of the Blackfoot
River, although some more rainbow trout will start to show
themselves just upstream from River Junction. Similar to fly
fishing further upstream, streamer imitations fished in the
holes, along the undercut banks and around downed timber and
other natural cover provide the best fishing spots.
Access on this
stretch of the Blackfoot River is also spotty. No designated
fishing access sites between Cedar Meadows and River Junction,
although one bridge crossing on Road 124 can provide access
for the wade angler.
Blackfoot
River: River Junction to Clearwater Crossing
Beginning at River
Junction, refreshed as it is by the flows of the North Fork
Blackfoot River and a steeper gradient, the Blackfoot River
begins to have excellent rainbow trout fishing. The Blackfoot
River in this section flows through a wide variety of terrain.
Initially it continues flowing along the southern end of the
broad valley that it entered into way back at Mineral Hill
FAS. This section in the valley lasts for twelve miles. The
Blackfoot River then enters Box Canyon, a five-mile long section
of river with lots of riffles, pools, larger waves and one
whitewater section near the end. Following its emergence from
Box Canyon, the Blackfoot River travels through another small
valley for a couple of miles before reaching Clearwater Crossing
FAS.
For anglers willing
to brave the fanciful weather of a Montana spring, fly fishing
on this section of the river can begin as early as the middle
of March, assuming spring-run off hasn't started yet (usually
spring-run off begins on the Blackfoot anywhere between mid-April
and mid-May and can last up until late May or early June).
During the spring before spring-run off occurs, this section
of the Blackfoot River (as well as the sections found further
downstream), dry fly fishing with common flies such as the
Parachute Adams, Sparkle Dun and Olive Cripple all work well,
although good presentation is important. Popular nymph imitations
for early season fishing on the Blackfoot River include the
Hare's Ear Nymph and the Pheasant Tail Nymph, all in sizes
16-20.
Following this
short period of fishing, the Blackfoot River generally turns
turbid as spring-run off hits. However, during some years
(warm springs or low snow years) spring-run off can happen
early, leading to clear water by late May. When this happens,
it is perfect timing since a salmon fly hatch occurs on the
Blackfoot River in June. If you happen to be lucky and be
on the Blackfoot River in late May through the middle of June
with clear water, large salmon fly imitations such as the
Bitch Creek Nymph and the Stimulator (sizes 2-8) all work
well when fished on the bottom right along the riverbanks,
especially around deep holes, gravel banks and undercut banks.
 Eventually,
spring-run off will end. When it does, the Blackfoot River
joins Rock
Creek as one of the premiere summer dry fly fishing rivers
in Montana. Common caddisfly imitations such as the Elk Hair
Caddis and the X-Caddis all work well. Additionally, attractor
dry flies such as the Olive Stimulator and a Green Renegade
also work very well. Finally, common mayfly patterns such
as the Adams also work on this section of the Blackfoot River.
Dry flies can be fished successfully on the Blackfoot River
all summer long, although the best success during the middle
of the summer will generally be found in the mornings and
evenings when the water temperature is cooler.
When fly fishing
dry flies during the summer, it is worth remembering that
presentation is very important on this section of the Blackfoot
River - particularly between River Junction and Russell Gates
FAS. The current is still fairly slow in this section, giving
the trout some time to look a bit more closely at the fly
than is the case further downstream. Thus, a drag free float
on light leaders can mean all the difference between success
and failure when fishing dry flies on this stretch. In Box
Canyon, due to the riffles, waves and faster current, perfect
presentation, while important (its always important!), is
not as crucial as found just upstream.
If you grow tired
of fly fishing dry flies or really want to increase your chances
of tagging into a large rainbow, then get rid of that dry
fly and put on a grasshopper imitation. Like seemingly everywhere
else in Montana, grasshopper imitations work very well from
July to early September on the Blackfoot River. Grasshopper
imitations are best fished right along the shore, essentially
imitating a grasshopper that got stuck in the water. It also
never hurts to put a few twitches into the hopper through
light jerks on the line (this imitates a grasshopper struggling
to break free). That said, if you see an appealing place further
out in the water, don't be bashful about hurling the hopper
imitation out into the middle of the river. Large trout will
readily come off the bottom of the river for a large meal
like a hopper. Hopper imitations work best in sizes from 2-8.
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