We have about the same conditions as last week to report.

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We have about the same conditions as last week to report.  Our Big Hole River fishing report this week is filled with more winter like conditions on the water.  Flows have slightly come up at the Maiden Rock gauge but we are still experiencing ice on the river and freezing water conditions.  Snow is predicted Thursday and Friday and then a slight warm up is predicted for the weekend.  Wade fishing is still your only options.  Our Big Hole river fly shop is still closed for the winter.  Our projected opening is April 1st.  If you are getting on the water we suggest the spring fed areas and tail outs of runs.  Bring your midge box, San Juan worms, and Pat’s Stones with you.  As for our Montana snowpack and Big Hole snowpack we are still pilling snow in the high country.  Since we last reported a nice winter storm hit us.  Currently the Big Hole valley is at 140% snow/water equivalency and our total snowfall is 118% of normal.

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Big Hole River Fly Shop: New Product Shark Wave

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The Montana snowpack remains above average and the Big Hole snowpack continues to climb.  Currently the Big Hole snowpack has a snow/water content of 132% and a total precipitation of 106% of normal for this date in time.  With these numbers it is shaping up to be an excellent July and August on the Big Hole and Beaverhead Rivers.  Our Big Hole River guides are tying flies and gearing up for the Spring Skwala hatch, which hits the Big Hole in early April.

Our Big Hole river fly shop is carrying many new products this year.  We have new gear from Patagonia, Simms, Scott Fly Rods and Scientific Anglers.  One of the products that we are excited about is the new SharkWave Fly line from Scientific Anglers.  This product has not hit the market yet so we have not reviewed it.  We will be receiving the Shark Wave fly line on April 1st in our Big Hole River fly shop.

The SharkWave fly line combines the best elements of Scientific Anglers textured line technologies and the traditional smooth fly lines.  The textured Sharkskin fly lines came out in 2007 and brought fly line technology to the industry that we had never seen before.  The Sharkskin fly line has increased surface area to allow the line to sit higher in the water, and with less drag.  The micro-textured surface traps air, which allows increased shootability and flotation while decreasing friction.  After the Sharksin fly line Scientific Anglers came out with the Mastery Textured series fly lines.  These lines took the great qualities of the Sharkskin line and combined it with a more easy feel of traditional, smooth fly lines, which results in a textured line that is smoother to the touch than Sharkskin.

Scientific Anglers now has taken the Textured Series fly lines and combined the qualities of the Sharkskin fly line to come up with the first triple textured fly lines called the SharkWave fly line.  The SharkWave is also the first triple colored fly line in the industry.  This fly line should have a friction free feel with unparalleled floatation.  We will have feed back in April on this fly line when our Big Hole River guides test it out.  It sounds like the ultimate trout line for Southwest Montana.

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Beaverhead River Fishing Report

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Winter flows remain low on the Beaverhead.  This Beaverhead River fishing report hasn’t changed much all winter.  The flow out of Clark Canyon Reservoir is 27 cfs.  The flow at the Barretts guage has an improved flow of 114cfs.  If you find a need to harass these fish during the extremely low winter flows you basic midge box will get it done.  Zebra midges, micro may flies and scuds will fill the nymph recipe.  On the overcast days midge activity on the surface will be seen.

Stay up to date with our Beaverhead River fly shop updates on our Blog.  Spring fishing is around the corner with warming trends happening soon.

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Southwest Montana fly fishing finally has something positive to report.

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Southwest Montana fly fishing finally has something positive to report.  We have some valley temperatures above freezing.  These warmer day time highs above freezing will start to get the ice off the lower Big Hole River.  Right now we are still at winter flows and with the ice on the river you will not be able to get a boat down.  On the warmer days some midge activity will be getting some fish looking up.  Still your basic nymphing techniques of Pat’s Stones and San Juan worms in the tail out deep areas of the run will get you hooked up.  If you are looking to wade fish I would recommend being where springs enter the river.  Our Big Hole River fly shop is gearing up for a great Spring season and our Big Hole River guides are ready to get on the water.

the Big Hole Snowpack is looking very good.  We are at 140% snow/water content and 115% of normal snowfall for this date in time.

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Opening up soon

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Fishing season is almost here. The river-ice on the Big Hole is starting to recede and the river is starting to open up. The majority of the river is still under ice, but sections of the lower river are already starting to flow. It won’t be too much longer and we’ll be able to start fishing.

The winter snowpack is above 120% of average, and things are looking great as we get ready to start the 2014 season. If you haven’t booked your 2014 fly fishing vacation with Sunrise Fly Shop yet, call and reserve your dates soon.

The Sunrise Fly Shop will be opening its doors for the 2014 season on Monday March 31st

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Stamped with Approval

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Southwest Montana and the Big Hole Valley continues to be in a favorable weather pattern for snowfall.  The Big Hole and Beaverhead drainage is now reaching 98% snowpack for this date in time.  The snowpack has a snow/water equivalency of 121%, which is excellent for our Southwest Montana rivers.

Great news for Sunrise Fly Shop in the fly fishing industry.  We are now working with the #1 booking agent in the fly fishing world.  Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures has stamped Sunrise Fly Shop as one of their domestic destinations.  You will find our listing with Yellow Dog Fly Fishing Adventures in their 2014 catalog and on the Yellow Dog website.  The Sunrise Fly Shop Yellow Dog all inclusive package includes lodging at the Great Water Inn and your finest fly fishing guides at the Sunrise Fly Shop.

Cabin fever is definitely setting in for us here in Southwest Montana.  Here is a nice photo to get you excited for Spring fishing on the Big Hole River, which is coming soon.  This brown was caught last May on the Big Hole River in the East Bank section of the river. In the month of May you will find excellent streamer fishing for large aggressive brown trout and the famous Mother’s Day Caddis hatch.

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Big Hole River Spring Fishing Special

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It’s time to start thinking about the Big Hole River Spring fishing special.  This is our 5th year in a row running this great Spring discount.  The Big Hole River has unmatched dry fly fishing in April and early May.  The Big Hole River Skwala hatch gets the large browns looking up to eat dry flies.  If you are willing to deal with cooler weather and some possible snow showers you can be rewarded with some excellent top water fishing this Spring.  We also have hatches of Blue Winged Olives in the Spring.  You will find solitude in the Spring on the Big Hole River and aggressive fish wanting to shake the winter off and eat some large stoneflies.  The package rate we are offering includes your lodging and guided fishing based on double occupancy.  The lodging is right next to our fly shop at the Sportsman Motel in Melrose.  All of your dining and drinking needs can be satisfied at the HItchin’ Post right next to our Big Hole River fly shop.  Don’t let the spring pass you by without our Big Hole River guides showing you the best spring trout fishing you have experienced.

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Beaverhead River Fishing Report

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Date:    30-Oct-2013

Fishing Report:

The Beaverhead has dropped to winter flows.  Leave the boat at home and get the waders on since you will not get your boat down the river right now.  The fish are in the obvious places right now.  Blue Winged Olives are hatching and your basic Beaverhead nymphs are working well.

For winter updates stay in touch with our blog.

Files:

#18 Kyle’s Bent Sally, #18 Tungsten Sally, #18 Scuds pink/olive/tan #20 Micro Mayfly, #18 Splitback PMD, #18 Zebra Midge, #18 copper john #16 Snow Shoe Sally, 18 PMD Comparadun


Previous Reports

Date:    24-Jul-2013

Fishing Report:

Fishing remains very good on the Beaverhead.  Flows out of Clark Canyon Reservoir remains at 750cfs.  PMD’s and Yellow Sallies have been hatching well on the Beaverhead.  You will find good dry fly fishing in the slick and below High Bridge on PMD’s and Sallies.  The Nymphing remains very consistent.  Look for the fish sitting on the edges of runs and in the 3 foot chop water.

Flies:

The Most Up to Date, Accurate Fly Fishing Report for the Beaverhead River

Our Beaverhead River Fishing Report will prepare you for a great day of fly fishing on this fairly technical tailwater fishery.  With tiny bugs and selective trout, it is important that you know which flies and which sizes are producing the best fishing. If you are considering fly fishing Montana, the Beaverhead River is a must, and the Sunrise Fly Shop is committed to providing the most accurate Beaverhead River Fishing Report.   As the leading Beaverhead River fly fishing guide service and outfitter, our guides are on the river every day.  Check back often for the latest river information including flies, weather and flows for the Beaverhead River.

Click here for more information on fly fishing the Beaverhead River, or Contact Us today to plan your next Beaverhead River fly fishing vacation.

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Fishing Report

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Date:  1-Nov-2013

Shelf ice, and floating ice on the Big Hole, not a surprise since it is winter here.  We have a good start to the snowpack.  The upper Big Hole is reading 165% of normal.  It is still early in the snow season but it is a good start.  If you find the itch to get out this winter I would recommend finding the spring fed areas that stay ice free on the Big Hole.  Midges will be out on damp, mild overcast days and nymphing a San Juan Worm and a #10 Pat’s Stone will get ’em.

For winter updates stay in touch with our blog.  

Files:

#16 Micro May Fly, #16 Flashback Pheasant Tail, #12 Pat’s Stone Black #10 UV Chubby, #12 X Cadidis #12 Purple Haze #4 Pats Stone black, #8 San Juan Worm, #8 Prince Nymph, #8 pheasant tail, #10 Silver Lightning Bug #6 J.J. Special #6 Olive Beldar #6 Skiddish Smolt #4 Lil’ Kim Copper #6 Yellow Zonker, #4 Yellow Yummy, #4 Coffey Bugger #4 Home invader Yellow/black/white #4 Bad Boy natural/yellow/olive

USGS Current Big Hole River Water Flows

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Big Hole Snowpack Update

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We just finished up a bitter cold snap here in Southwest Montana.  We had ten days of sub zero temperatures, some of the lowest reading we had were -30 degrees.  Right now we are back on average temperatures and it is currently snowing in the high country.  We have a great start to the Montana Snowpack and the Big Hole River snowpack.  The mountains in the Big Hole watershed and Beaverhead watershed are reading about 130% of normal for this date in time.   We are pleased with good start to our snowpack as the first day of the official winter season isn’t until December 21st.

It looks like we are going to have a cold winter with above average snowpack according the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.  Here is a link to an informative article on the winter outlook.    2013 will be wrapping up here shortly and we are looking forward to great Big Hole River spring fishing come April.

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