Big Hole River Fishing Report

Welcoming October Fishing on The Big Hole River

by sunriseflyshop

October fishing on the Big Hole River is here and we are excited for the month of fall foliage and active trout. Fishing has been very good lately on the lower stretches of the Big Hole River. We have had guide boats out from Brownes to Glen and Glen to Notch Bottom and the fishing has been excellent. You will find blue winged olives and mahogany duns hatching during the day. Dropper fishing with a blue winged olive nymph has bee very good. The streamer fisherman have been pleased with the activity from large brown’s chasing the sculpins and minnow imitations.

Reminder: Maiden Rock (BLM) to Brown’s Bridge is closed from October 1st through March 31st. You can fish above Maiden rock BLM and below Brownes Bridge. Please call us if you need any clarification (406) 835-3474.

Recommended Flies:

  • Spanish Bullet (Olive) (Black) #16
  • Psycho May (Olive) (Brown) #16
  • Jig Blowtorch (Black) #16
  • San Juan Worm #8
  • J.J. Special #6
  • Barely Legal #6
  • Split Wing Blue Winged Olive #16
  • Hot Spot Para Wulff #16 #14
Big Hole River Fishing Report

Big Hole Closure Uplifted on Section 4 of River

by sunriseflyshop

The Big Hole River Fall fishing has remained good this week. Flows have come up on the Big Hole and section 4 of the river is now open to fishing. Section 4 is from Maiden Rock (FWP) down to Notch Bottom (Tony Shoonen access). We have seen good hatches of Blue Winged Olives and Mahogany Duns lately. Streamers have also been working in the tail outs of the runs. Nymphing has remained consistent in the slow tail outs of the runs and near the riffles.

Open Section of the Big Hole:

Currently from Dickie Bridge down to Notch Bottom (Tony Shoonen access) is open to fishing. Please call us if you need any clarifications. (406) 835-3474

Recommended Flies:

  • Spanish Bullet (Black) (Olive) #16 
  • Lucent Tag Perdigon – Olive #16
  • Jig Iron Lotus #16
  • Green Machine #16
  • Micro Mayfly #16
  • Psycho Mayfly (Olive) #16
  • Split Wing BWO #16
  • Purple Haze #16
  • Mahogany Dun #14
  • J.J. Special #6
  • Lil Kim #6
  • Mini Loop Sculpin #6
Big Hole River Fishing Report

Big Hole River Fall Fishing Report

by sunriseflyshop

Fall fishing on the Big Hole River is in full swing right now. As you can see above a few large brown trout are being caught as we move into the falls season. We currently have cooler water temperatures and flows have slightly bumped due to some rain. We are still well below historical average flows for September. Hopefully we continue to receive some moisture to get the river flows up. We are starting to see some of the Fall hatches on the Big Hole River. You will find Blue Winged Olives and Mahogany Dun’s hatching. Small flying ant’s are also taking fish on dry flies in the afternoons. Streamers in the shallow rifles and pools are working. We have done best on darker colored streamers. Keep your streamer moving slow and deep for the best results.

From Dickie Bridge down to Lower Maiden Rock FWP is open to fishing the entire day. All other sections of the Big Hole are currently closed to fishing due to low flows. Please give us a call for any clarification or the most up to date information. 406-835-3474.

Recommended Flies:

  • Spanish Bullet (Black) (Olive) #16
  • Jig Iron Lotus #16
  • Green Machine #16
  • Micro Mayfly #16
  • Psycho Mayfly (Olive) #16
  • Split Wing BWO #16
  • Purple Haze #16
  • Mahogany Dun #14
  • J.J. Special #6
  • Lil Kim #6
  • Mini Loop Sculpin #6

Beaverhead River Fall Fishing Update

by sunriseflyshop

The Beaverhead has been fishing pretty tough lately. Clark Canyon outflows are set to winter flows already due to the reservoir being only 26% full. The Winter Clark Canyon Reservoir outflows are down to 25 cfs. In response to these low flows Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks has closed the Beaverhead from the Dam down to Pipe Organ Bridge. This closure will remain into affect all fall.

The Beaverhead River is open to fishing from Pipe Organ Bridge down to the Mouth (Confluence to Big Hole). Flows are low in these sections and are better for the wade angler. Floating any of the stretches below Pipe Organ is not recommended due to low flows. You will find Blue Winged Olives hatching and a few hopper opportunities in the afternoons.

Recommended Flies:

  • Split Back BWO #18
  • Micro Mayfly #16
  • Bubble Back BWO #18
  • Spanish Bullet Olive #16
  • Jig Frenchie Blue #18
  • Green machine #18
  • J.J. Special #6
  • Sparkle Minnow J.J. #6
  • Lil Kim’ #6
Big Hole River Fishing Report

Searching for Rising Fish

by sunriseflyshop

The Big Hole has been tough some days for our guides and fishing well on other days. We are still seeing good Trico hatches in the mornings. You can hunt sipping trout on the surface during the spinner fall. After the trico hatch we have been prospecting the riffles with a spruce moth, hopper or ant pattern with a paragon dropper nymph off the back. We are seeing a tremendous amount of hoppers in the valley this August. Flows remain low and well below average for this time of the year. We have some hoot owl closures on sections and some full fishing closures on some sections of the Big Hole. Below is all the information on fishing restrictions. Section 3 remains open all day. This section is from Dickey Bridge down to Maiden Rock FWP (Lower Maiden Rock).

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)

Fishing Restrictions/Closures:

  • Section 1 Closed – Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to North Fork Big Hole River mouth
  • Section 4 Closed – From FWP’s Maiden Rock FAS (Lower Maiden Rock) to Tony Shoonen FAS (Notch)
  • 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 3 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.

Clark Canyon Reservoir Update

by sunriseflyshop

The Beaverhead River has been fishing very tough lately. Outflows from Clark Canyon Reservoir are 450cfs and dropping daily. The difficult fishing is due to how low Clark Canyon Reservoir has been. Currently the reservoir is 29% full. The outflow into the Beaverhead River is dirty and extremely mossy. The outflow from Clark Canyon is also warm water since the reservoir has turned over. Between the extremely poor clarity and the moss mats on the surface, fishing has been very difficult. Hopefully conditions improve soon and we have a better report next week.

Fly Recommendations:

  • Hunchback Infrequence PMD #18
  • Split Back PMD #18
  • Barr’s Emerger #18
  • Tungsten Sunkist #18
  • Bubble Back PMD #18
  • Micro Mayfly #16
  • Comparadun PMD #18
  • Split Wing PMD #18
Big Hole River Fishing Report

Tricos and Spruce Moths

by sunriseflyshop

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.

Big Hole River Fishing Report

Big Hole Spruce Moth Hatch

by sunriseflyshop

Fishing has been good the last few days and should continue as we are seeing good hatches. We have Spruce Moth’s from Jerry Creek down to Maiden Rock (BLM). We also have been seeing tricos hatching around 10:00 in the morning from Maiden Rock (BLM) down to Glen. You can hunt rising fish with Spruce Moth’s and then switch to Trico’s in the morning. The Spruce Moth’s have been hitting the water throughout the entire day from Jerry Creek down to Maiden Rock (BLM). On the Lower River we are starting to see hopper activity in the afternoons. We have been catching nice trout against the grassy undercut banks. Remember on the lower Big Hole you have to be done fishing at 2:00pm due to Hoot Owl Closures.

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
  • Spanker #16
  • Spanish Bullet #16 (Black)
  • Thread Frenchie #16 (Black/Olive)
  • Hoot Owl restrictions prohibit fishing each day between 2 p.m. and midnight in the following sections of the Big Hole River:
    • From Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadow Road to Dickie Bridge FAS
    • From the confluence of the Beaverhead River to FWP’s Maidenrock FAS (Lower Maiden Rock) 

From 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. 

Big Hole River Fishing Report

Big Hole River Heats Up

by sunriseflyshop

Fishing Has been ok on the Big Hole River lately. We find ourselves in the dog days of summer during this scorching heat wave we are having in Montana and in other parts of the country. You will find PMD’s hatching in the mornings and then you will have to go to an attractor dry fly and nymphs in the late morning/early afternoon hours. We have not seen any trico’s on the river yet but the hatch will be coming soon. Some hoppers are starting to click around the banks so look for the hopper fishing to pick up soon. Sculpin patterns in the riffles have been good in the morning hours and PMD soft hackle nymphs swinging through the riffles.

Recommended Flies:

  • Chubby Chernobyl #12
  • Comparadun PMD #16
  • Purple Craze #16
  • Mcgrubber #16
  • Spanish Bullet #16
  • Thread Frenchie #16
  • Mini Loop Sculpin #6
  • Trevors Sculpin #6

Hoot Owl restrictions prohibit fishing each day between 2 p.m. and midnight in the following sections of the Big Hole River:

  • From the North Fork of the Big Hole to Saginaw Bridge FAS to Dickie Bridge FAS
  • From the confluence of the Beaverhead River to FWP’s Maidenrock FAS (Lower Maiden Rock)

From 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.

Beaverhead Fishing Heat Wave

by sunriseflyshop

The upper Beaverhead is is still holding strong with good fishing. We have been doing the best from the dam down to Pipe Organ Bridge. Flows out of Clark Canyon Reservoir are currently up to 804 cfs. Wade fishing spots are tough right now but drift boat fishing is ideal at these flows. The river clarity is a bit off right now but that can be a day to day affair from outflows out of Clark Canyon Reservoir. We have had some PMD dry fly fishing the morning in the slick. Nymphing has been consistent in the upper Beaverhead. We have done well with various PMD Nymphs.

Fly Recommendations:

  • Hunchback Infrequence PMD #18
  • Split Back PMD #18
  • Barr’s Emerger #18
  • Tungsten Sunkist #18
  • Bubble Back PMD #18
  • Micro Mayfly #16
  • Comparadun PMD #18
  • Split Wing PMD #18

Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction from the mouth of the river (Near twin Bridges to Selway Park in Dillon

From the mouth to Selway Park FAS at Dillon

The hoot-owl fishing restriction, which prohibits fishing each day between 2 p.m. and midnight, will go into effect at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 29 for the Beaverhead River from the mouth to Selway Park FAS at Dillon. Maximum daily water temperatures on the Beaverhead River at USGS gauge 06023100 Beaverhead River near Twin Bridges exceeded 73 degrees for three consecutive days, satisfying angling restriction and fishing closure criteria. This restriction will remain in effect until lifted by FWP administrative action in consultation with the Big Hole Watershed Committee, or until September 15.