The Salmonflies on the Big Hole River are here! The arrival of the Western Tanagers on the banks of the Big Hole always signals the arrival of the stoneflies. The famed Big Hole Salmonfly hatch should be fantastic this year. We have seen adult Salmonflies from Glen up to Melrose. The next significant warm up will move the hatch into the Maiden Rock Canyon. The river flows have been dropping due to the cooler temperatures, currently the flow is 2,290cfs in Melrose. The trout below Melrose are keyed into the Salmonfly dries and you will find egg layers in the afternoons. Above Melrose we are having productive streamer fishing and nymphing on salmonflies. When we turn over rocks in the canyon you will find the stonefly nymphs ten feet off the banks. I predict by the weekend the hatch will move into the Maiden Rock Canyon. It’s time to grab your buddies and throw your foam flies tight to the willows and hold on for some dry fly action. We always see some fantastic trout caught on dries this time of the year.
We are open 7:00am – 6:00pm daily
Recommended Flies:
- Cat Puke Salmonfly #4
- Chubby Norman #6
- Salmonfly Half Down #4
- Water Walker #4 Black/orange
- Pat’s Stone #4 (Black/orange)
- Dungeon (Black #4
- Circus Peanut (Black) #6
- Jig Slum Lord (Black/Brown) #6