Sunrise Fly Shop-Big Hole River Blog

Visiting Montana in the spring and summer for a fly fishing trip is something that many fly fishers only do a few times in their life. They want to make sure that their visit to the Big Hole River, Beaverhead River or Jefferson River enables them to not only enjoy the scenery but to also catch fish. Timing their trip to coincide with good weather and river flows is key to helping ensure a phenomenal fly fishing vacation. 

But all fly fishers should understand that every time we predict what the weather is going to be like, or what the flows will be, or how much water we will have in the Big Hole River come August, we are making little more than a guess. But with these tools and a basic knowledge of hydrology and meteorology, our guess is definitely an educated one. 

With all this said here is our 2012 prediction.  We are currently at about 90% snowpack in the Big Hole Watershed.  We have had a rather warm winter so our low elevation snowpack is very thin.  We predict that our spring fishing will be outstanding since we will not have huge river flow fluctuations in the spring due to low elevation snowmelt.  

Our high elevation runoff typically occurs around May 20th - June 5th.  We should see about an average runoff this year since our snowpack is at 90% of normal.  So this is an excellent year to hit the Salmonflies in June, which typically hatch around June 10th and last till June 25th.  The Big Hole Salmonfly hatch is one that all anglers need to hit in their lifetime and this year should be a good one!  We should have average summer flows due to our 90% snowpack going into spring.  2012 is shaping up to be a great season, especially after coming off of the last 2 above average water flow years, which have our trout healthy and big.      

April 1st we will start our  Big Hole River fishing reports, Beaverhead River fishing reports, and Jefferson River flow and fishing reports, Stay in touch and get out and fish in Southwest Montana in 2012.  

The days are finally getting longer and air temperatures are getting a bit warmer.  It has been a rather strange winter here in Southwest Montana.  We have not been pounded by the -20 degree nights and single digit day time highs, which I am not complaining about.  We all know that winter is far from over.  With all the lack of moisture around the country everyone has been asking me how the snowpack is doing in the Big Hole Valley.  Here is the current data that we have on the Montana snowpack.  

Currently the Big Hole snowpack is sitting at 88% of normal.  With three more months to gain more snowpack before runoff we are sitting rather well for good water flows this summer.  The Beaverhead River has had excellent water flows this winter to keep the trout habitat healthy for wintering fish.  The Clark Canyon Reservoir, which feeds the Beaverhead River is sitting at 93% full.  It is shaping up to be another banner year on the Big Hole and Beaverhead River.  The above photo is at Salmon Fly fishing Access and the below photo is at Brownes Bridge on the Big Hole River.    

It's time to start thinking about your next Montana fly fishing vacation this spring.  We are running our spring special again!  

3 nights lodging 2 days of guided fishing starting at only $500.00 per person from April 1st - May 15th.  Come on out and fish the first dry fly hatch of the year.   

It is hard to believe that August is coming to an end soon.  Southwest Montana fishing has been heating up.  We have had hot and dry weather, which has really gotten the hopper fishing on track.  We are looking forward to a September filled with exciting hopper fishing on the Big Hole, Beaverhead and Jefferson River.  I have been on all three rivers this week.  We still have Spruce Moth’s on the Big Hole River; the upper Beaverhead has been fishing excellent on PMD nymphs with hopper and Crane Fly fishing on the surface.  The Jefferson River has been streaky on the hopper bite.  Some days they have been crushing the hopper and other days the Jefferson River can be humbling.  Fall fishing is right around the corner.  Start planning your Fall fishing trip now! 

The upper Beaverhead River opens this Saturday.  I was on the river yesterday and we floated Pipe Organ to Barretts.  The river fished very well sub surface with Micro Mayflies and San Juan Worms.  The Caddis are out but fish were not keying into the dry fly very well.  Grasshopper Creek is running muddy but should clear up due to the cool down we are having.  Check with us for up to date information on the clarity.  Opening weekend should be stellar fishing up by the dam.  Let our Beaverhead River Guides show you the best fishing in Southwest Montana.   

Opening Day Special 3nights lodging and 2 days of guided fishing for just $500.00 per person May 21st - June 10th. 

Good Weather today.  Should be a nice Spring day to be on the Big Hole.  We are still sticking to the stretches below Melrose right now.  It is just to darn cold up the river.  I went for a drive last night to check it out up there and it seems like February on the upper Big hole.  With a Montana snowpack of 120% we are going to have excellent water this year on the Big Hole and Beaverhead Rivers.  We are floating in our drift boats on every stretch below Melrose with good Skwala dry fly action and the nymphing and streamer fishing has been solid.  Look for the Skwala hatch heating up this week as water temperatures reach 45-47 degrees.  2 -3 feet of visability right now.  

Remember our spring special ends May 15th.  $500.00 for 3nights lodging and 2 days of guided fishing!   

Sunrise Fly Shop is opening it's doors for the 2011 fishing season On Friday April 1st.  We are looking forward to a great season in Southwest Montana.  Snowpack in the Big Hole River and Beaverhead River drainage are well over 115% of normal.  Currently, Clark Canyon reservoir is over 90% full.  The season starts with the Skwala hatch on the Big Hole River.  We will keep you up to date throughout the spring to the progress of the hatch.  Look for an updated Big Hole River fishing report starting April 1st. 

We have already had some good fishing on the Big Hole below Melrose, it has just been darn cold still.  The river is ice free below Melrose and once we get a few more day time highs in the upper 40's to lower 50's fishing will improve.  Get that gear ready, and start to think  about booking your trip with our Big Hole River guides and Southwest Montana River Guides at the Sunrise Fly Shop.    

Winter has been harsh in Southwest Montana this year.  Plenty of snow with bitterly cold temperatures.  The snowpack in looking great for this years fishing season.  The Big Hole / Beaverhead drainages are @ 109% snowpack for this date in time, and we still have another couple months to gain more snow in the high country.  The big story this winter has been the ice jams on the rivers.  The Big Hole River, Beaverhead River, Madison, Jefferson, and Gallatin Rivers have all had major ice jamming events this winter.  This has created some low valley flooding at times, and scouring of the banks and rivers.  Last week a rancher on the Big Hole River lost several cows due to a break in the ice, the cattle fell through and were lost to the frozen river.  

Day time temperatures are now getting above freezing which is starting to break up the ice on our rivers.  We will start to get some days of productive fishing later this month.  With the healthy snowpack we are looking ahead to another great late summer fishing season.  August will be filled with great terrestrial hopper fishing with good water flows.  August has been an overlooked month of Southwest Montana fishing in high water years.  Take advantage of this in 2011, our Big Hole River guides and Beaverhead River guides will make a memorable fishing trip for you!          

Sunrise Fly Shop is happy to announce the new website for Sheerwater Guide Service.  Owner and operator Karl Jones is an exceptional guide and wooden drift boat builder.  Sheerwater Guide Service operates in Western Montana on the Clark Fork River, Bitterroot River, and Blackfoot River.  Karl also guides for the Sunrise Fly Shop on the Big Hole River and Beaverhead River.  If any of you are looking for an early Spring dry fly fishing fix, contact us for some March Skwala fishing on the Bitterrroot River.  The Bitterroot River starts to fish earlier than our rivers in Southwest Montana due to the valley floor being lower in elevation.  If you are looking to fish in Western Montana, Sheerwater Guide Service will take care of all your Western Montana angling needs and your wooden boat building needs at Bitterroot Boat Works. 

It is late January and the Montana snowpack is looking good.  Right now the Big Hole River snowpack and Beaverhead River snowpack is sitting at 116% of normal for this date in time.  We have had three years in a row of excellent water conditions throughout the summer.  It is looking like we are going to have another great water year on Southwest Montana Rivers.  Right now the Clark Canyon Reservoir is sitting at 91% full.  Winter flows on the Beaverhead River have remained above average which helps keep the fishery healthy.  Last year we saw a great age class of 17-19 inch rainbows in the Beaverhead that were about 3 to 4 pounds.  Look for this age class of trout to be in the 18-20 inch range and up to 5 pounds.  It is going to be a banner year on the Beaverhead and high flows will make for a great late summer hopper season in the Big Hole River.  

I am off to the Western Canadian Fly Fishing Exposition in Calgary, Alberta. We will have a booth at the show.  If you are attending the show stop by to check us out.  The Event is January 28^th-30^th.   

Winter has set into southwest Montana with our first significant snowfall last week. After the snow and cold has pushed us off the river we are finally able to take a deep breath after a fabulous season of fly-fishing.  A short recap of the 2010 season was water, water and more water.  Above average flows and steady hatches made for great fishing this season.  The dog days of summer never came this year.  We are in a cycle of great water flows in Southwest Montana.  This was our third year in a row of above average flows in the Big Hole River.  Clark Canyon reservoir above the Beaverhead River will again have above average winter flows, which we saw this summer made a huge difference in the health of the fishery. 

We would like to take the time and thank all of the people that made the 2010 season a successful one.  We enjoyed giving advice, hearing big fish stories, and guiding clients with smiling faces.  Look for consistent blog posts this winter on fly-fishing advice, fly-fishing tactics, and stories about the rivers we fish; the Big Hole River, Beaverhead River, Madison River, and Jefferson River.