Fishing continues to be ok on the Big Hole. The Big Hole Valley is still seeing higher than normal temperatures, but with strong trico hatches we have had good dry fly fishing in the mornings. After the trico spinner fall ends, we have been using spruce moths and hoppers with a variety of different droppers. Black Spanish Bullets and Pat’s Rubber Legs have been the most consistent droppers. With the hot weather continuing, the river temps are getting quite warm in the afternoon and Hoot Owl restrictions are still in place. Also, because of low flows, two sections of the Big Hole are closed for fishing until the reopen criteria is met.
Recommended Flies:
- Spruce Moth #12
- YFG Spruce Moth #12
- Bloom’s Spruce Moth #12
- Comparadun Trico #18
- Trico Spinner #18
- Chernobyl Ant #8
- Morrish Hopper #8
- Fat Albert #8
- Pat’s Rubber Leg #10 (Black)
- Spanish Bullet #16 (Black)
- Thread Frenchie #16 (Black/Olive)
Full Fishing Closures on the Big Hole River
- Section 1 Closed – Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to North Fork Big Hole River mouth
- Section 5 Closed – Tony Schoonen FAS (Notch) to confluence with Jefferson River
Hoot Owl restrictions prohibit fishing each day between 2 p.m. and midnight in the following sections of the Big Hole River:
- Section 2 Hoot Owl – From the North Fork of the Big Hole to Dickie Bridge FAS
- Section 4 Hoot Owl – From FWP’s Maiden Rock FAS (Lower Maiden Rock) to Tony Shoonen FAS (Notch)
Dickie Bridge down to FWP’s Maidenrock FAS (Lower Maiden Rock) is open to fishing all day. Even though this section is open all day please take water temperature readings and if the water temperature exceeds 68 degrees please stop fishing for the day. If these restrictions confuse you, please give us a call and we can clarify the locations. 406-835-3474.
