Despite some weather earlier this week, the Blackfoot is back to decent shape. Flows dropped a few days ago, and are now down to just above 800 cfs. The damn tubers still hold the lower river, but their numbers should start to drop once school starts.
Fish are taking dry flies, but not with the reckless abandon they had earlier in the year. Hoppers are a good choice from noon on till night. Look for mayflies in the mornings and evenings. A purple haze is a hot fly right now, so better stock up on some. Caddis are coming off in the evenings, and that is when your chances for catching a big fish on a dry fly are the best.
If it is big fish you are after, go subsurface. Nymphing tactics have been pulling some larger fish out all day. Think stonefly nymphs, san juan worms, princes, pheasant tails, hare’s ears, caddis emergers and soft hackles. I know it is hard to fish anything but dries in August, but when you landing pigs and everyone else nothing but dinks you’ll get over it.
Tags: River - Blackfoot
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