spawn mode creates additional opportunity for
anglers.
But, the Bitterroot’s fish get smart quickly,
figuring out which dry flies bite back. That’s why
my guides closely watch the water temperature
in other nearby drainages, such as the Black-foot,
Rock Creek and the Clark Fork, so they can take
advantage of trout that haven’t been overly educated
or had a barbed T-Bone sunk into their jaws.
WARMING BLUE WATER ON THE BLACKFOOT
The Blackfoot River is one of our options for
escaping the spotlight. We like it best when it is
low, clear and “Blackfoot blue.” Lower flows mean
there’s less water volume to heat, and on warm,
sunny days an afternoon temperature spike creates
a nice afternoon feed window.
On the Bitterroot, those conditions can
detrimental to fishing, as those magical spring days
are beautiful for a float but sometimes remarkably
bad for the fishing. Those conditions often drive
the fish deeper and they shy away from the dry
fly. On the Blackfoot, however, which doesn’t see
the pressure that the Bitterroot receives, the fish
stay aggressive to the dry. And that clear and bluish
water also allows us to drive nymphs through
medium-depth riffles that connect to deeper
holding water.
Part of the appeal are the Blackfoot’s trout.
You’ll catch lots of rainbows and cutthroats and
some l