Blackfoot River Overview Below Map
See also...
Regional Fly Shops and Guide Service
By John Herzer
Timeless cliff walls and ponderosa pines tower over deep, clear runs and boulder strewn riffles -- the Big Blackfoot is trout water. Affording both wading and floating angler opportunity for nearly sixty miles, the Big Blackfoot River is as diverse as the Montana landscape it shapes. Harboring good populations of Montana's only two "native" salmonids, cutthroats and bull trout, the Big Blackfoot is also abundant with rainbow, cutbows, browns and mountain whitefish throughout its length.
The Big Blackfoot's optimum fishing starts at
River Junction Campground, at its confluence with the North Fork, just south of
Ovando. Although initially rumbling past rolling ranch land, the river soon
takes on its' more characteristic bank side vegetation, winding around canyon
walls and house size boulders only ending at its confluence with the Clark Fork
River five miles east of Missoula. All but the final ten miles of the Big
Blackfoot are tucked away from busy roadways and housing developments, astonishing
seclusion in light of its proximity to Montana's third largest population
center.
Over looking a
few local "I-flyfish-every-week-of-the-year-and-in-any temperature"
hard cores, the Big Blackfoot action starts picking up around the middle of
March. Anglers dredging nymphs and steamers realize surprising catches on into
May and the onset of runoff. The much anticipated salmon fly hatch usually
kicks off when the river is swollen and colored in early to mid June and bank
fishing quickly becomes all but impossible. As the water starts to subside,
savvy boat antlers able to mirror bushy dry flies and weighted streamers with
the bank are rewarded with the Big Blackfoot's trophy browns ranging from
18" - 24".
With the
dropping and clearing water of July comes a number of lesser stone fly, caddis,
and a few may fly hatches -- together with more obvious holding areas. Dead
drifting most any classic western attractor of moderate size motivates strikes
from eager 10" - 16" rainbows and cutthroats. Use similar patterns
(with the noted additions of hoppers with beadhead nymph droppers and uncertain
cyclical hatches of spruce moths) on through August for similar action. By
virtue of the Big Blackfoot's rapid speed, pool drop configuration and powerful
size (even at low flows), its fish are rarely "selective" as compared
to those of the Clark Fork or the Bitterroot. They have to eat the bugs passing
over them right now or get very skinny waiting for easier targets.
The Big
Blackfoot browns start to show themselves again in September and October as the
aggression of their upcoming spawning run becomes apparent. The river is gin
clear and at minimum flow as significant hatches rebound, including the giant
orange sedge (October caddis). Days shorten, morning frosts the boats, elk
bugles echo down to rivers edge, as mountain mahogany turns brilliant shades of
red and yellow. Autumn is a great time to fly fish the Big Blackfoot.
Thanks to an
unprecedented cooperative effort between public and private interests and more
stringent fishing regulations, the Big Blackfoot River is quickly returning to
the quality fishery that inspired Norman McLean's novel A River Runs Through
It, and Robert Redford's subsequent big screen hit. Scarcely seven years ago
only sun soaked tubers and an occasional bait fisherman utilized the Big
Blackfoot. Today Highway 200 hums with numerous, eager guide rigs wheeling up
river from Missoula with boats in tow.
Unfortunately,
the Big Blackfoot's future isn't as clear as its waters. Just when it appears
that people understand a river of such splendor is an important resource,
planning begins for one of North American's largest cyanide heap leach gold
mines at its headwaters! More information on how you can help continue trout
fishing on this spectacular river is available at the address below.
Fly Box for the
Big Blackfoot: Here is the very minimum selection anglers should carry with
them when fishing the "Foot".
Dries: Wulffs
and humpies (#14-10); parachute adams (#16-12); Goddard's and elk hair caddis
(#14-8); stimulators; madam-x and parachute hoppers (#12-6)
Nymphs: prince,
hare's ear, zug bug and pheasant tail all of which work better with beadheads
in #16-12; golden and black stones (#10-4)
Streamers:
olive, brown and black woolly buggers (#8-4); olive and black zonkers (#8-4)
WORDS OF
CAUTION TO FLOATERS AND WADE FISHERS: The Big Blackfoot is a powerful,
challenging river at any level. Float fishing is undoubtedly the most efficient
means of angling, but not just any oars person should attempt this challenge.
While high water covers many obstacles, it, in turn, exponentially increases
force and reduces reaction time. Although low flow slows the pace a great deal,
the exposed boulder fields require expert boat handling to negotiate rapids.
Wading during run off is not recommended as the river is bank full, often up
into willows and shrubs, and the visibility is poor. During low summer flows
bank angling can be a delight for sure footed individuals. Felt soled boots are
recommended; careful wading is required while traversing the varying river
bottom. When booking an outfitter to float fish the Big Blackfoot, be assured
their guides have not only experience on this section but that they also have
experience under similar conditions for that particular time of year.
About the
author:
After pushing oars for the over twenty years across the American West and in
Zimbabwe, Africa, John Herzer still spends over 100 days a year on the water.
He and his wife, Terri Raugland, own and operate John Herzer's Blackfoot River
Outfitters Inc. 610 Speedway, Missoula, Montana. E-mail address trout@mssl.uswest.net
The Blackfoot River has steadily improved as a fishery during the last decade thanks to the concerted efforts of environmentalists, ranchers and local members of Trout Unlimited. Popularized by Norman McLean's novel, A River Runs Through It, the Blackfoot's real legacy is that it is host to two of Montana's native salmonids, the westslope cutthroat and the bull trout. Although restrictions exist for purposely fishing for bulls, the river is rich in trophy-size browns and hefty rainbows and cutthroats in the 14- to 17-inch range. Although the river is approximately 130 miles long, the best fishing stretches start at Ovando down to the confluence with the Clark Fork River at Bonner. After spending years on this river, it is only fair to add a disclaimer. Blackfoot River trout sometimes skip a meal!
Spanning
26 miles, the Blackfoot River Recreation Corridor provides both picnicking and
camping at 13 locations. Both improved and unimproved camping spots exist all
up and down the Blackfoot River. For the camper who wants to fish with younger
children, I would recommend the unimproved campground at River Junction on the North
Fork of the Blackfoot. Regardless of which one you select, the beauty of the
Blackfoot River overwhelms the first-time visitor. Carving its way through the
canyon, the river flows by 100-foot cliffs. Ocher in color, the tinted shades
and moss-lined shadows make the Blackfoot one of the most scenic rivers in
Montana, as well as offering good fishing.
