Fishing Report

by sunriseflyshop

[eye_row data_width=”container”][eye_column data_width=”0-12-0″][eye_text]

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

[/eye_text][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Big Hole Snowpack Update

by sunriseflyshop

[eye_row data_width=”container”][eye_column data_width=”0-12-0″][eye_text]

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.

[/eye_text][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Previous Reports

by sunriseflyshop

[eye_row data_width=”container”][eye_column data_width=”0-12-0″][eye_text]

Fall fishing has been solid.  The fishing is definitely better on overcast days, but you can still find a fish or two on the bright sunny days.  Slow stripping or dead drifting streamers and nymphing stone fly nymphs and San Juan worms have been the most successful techniques.  Yellow and brown have been the color of choice for the streamers.

With night temps frequently falling into the mid 20’s, there is no need to be on the water early.  Let the water warm up a bit before you start your day of fishing.

We will be closing for the season on 10/25/2013, so come fish the Big Hole before the season is officially over.

Files:

The Most Up to Date, Accurate Fly Fishing Report for The Big Hole River

Our Big Hole River Fishing Report will give you all the information you need to have a great day of fly fishing on this dynamic river with constantly changing conditions and hatches. If you are considering fly fishing in Southwest 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 Big Hole River fly shop, fly fishing guide service and outfitter, our guides are on the river every day. You can count on us to provide you with the most accurate, up to date, and honest Big Hole River fishing report available.  Whether you are planning a Big Hole River fly fishing vacation or just need an escape from work, nobody keeps you more connected with Southwest Montana fly fishing conditions than the Sunrise Fly Shop.  Check back often to get the latest river information, including flies, weather and flows for the Big Hole River.

Click here for more information on fly fishing the Big Hole River, or Contact Us to plan your trip today!

[/eye_text][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Big Hole River Fly Shop Fishing Report

by sunriseflyshop

[eye_row data_width=”container”][eye_column data_width=”0-12-0″][eye_text]

As we move into August we have cooler water temperatures and feisty trout on the Big Hole River.  Flows are below average for this time of year but we are enjoying great dry fly fishing.  Trico’s in the morning, with hopper and ant fishing in the afternoons.  This is the time of year that we hunt large browns in skinny water on the Big Hole River.  The Beaverhead River has been fishing well.  We are starting to do well with hoppers and the PMD fishing continues to produce nice fish on the upper Beaverhead.

 

Client Frank Szewczyk caught these two great Big Hole Browns while he fished with us recently.

[/eye_text][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Salmonfly Hatch Update Big Hole River

by sunriseflyshop

[eye_row data_width=”container”][eye_column data_width=”0-12-0″][eye_text]

The Salmonfly hatch is progressing up the river.  We had great fishing on Salmonflies from Brownes to Glen Yesterday.  The Salmonflies are all the way up to Maiden Rock right now.  The river flows are low for this time of the year 1700cfs at Maiden Rock right now.  With great water clarity the fish really want your patterns to be dead drifted with no drag right now. Get out there and have some fun.

[/eye_text][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Salmonflies on the Big Hole River

by sunriseflyshop

[eye_row data_width=”container”][eye_column data_width=”0-12-0″][eye_text]

Let the madness begin.  We saw our first Salmonflies on the Big Hole River this morning.  We had some shucks at the Glen Bridge.  The hatch will slowly start to progress on the lower Big Hole.  Water flows and clarity are perfect for a fabulous hatch this year.  It’s time to start chucking the big bugs on the fast banks and some of the biggest brown trout will be eating on the surface.  We will keep you updated on the hatch and where the bugs are.

[/eye_text][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Spring Big Hole Update

by sunriseflyshop

[eye_row data_width=”container”][eye_column data_width=”0-12-0″][eye_text]

The Big Hole River snowpack is sitting at about 95% of normal.  It is looking like an average water year but we still have a lot of winter storms that can hit the high country.  In the valley winter has been holding on with single digit lows this last week but more Spring like conditions are ahead of us this week.  Highs in the mid 40’s to lower 50’s and overnight lows in the 20’s is a recipe for much better water temperatures.  By the weekend the Skwala nymph fishing should start to pick up as they will get more active with the warmer water.  We will keep you posted and remember it is not too late to book your Spring Special.

[/eye_text][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Montana Snowpack update

by sunriseflyshop

[eye_row data_width=”container”][eye_column data_width=”0-12-0″][eye_text]

The Big Hole River drainage is currently at 102% of normal snowpack and the Jefferson drainage is currently at 106%.  It is a great start to our snowpack and we hope it continues to pile up.  Last year at this date in time we were only at 79% of normal snowpack.  We are happy with the improving start to winter this year.  Updates will come later this month.  It is still too early to tell what kind of a water year 2013 will bring but we are pleased with the current winter snowpack. The 2013 booking season has begun.  Time to start looking at the calendar and plan your next fishing vacation.  Give us a call or send an email to discuss the upcoming season.

[/eye_text][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Heating up on the Big Hole and Beaverhead

by sunriseflyshop

[eye_row data_width=”container”][eye_column data_width=”0-12-0″][eye_text]

Summer is officially here.  It is time to take the waders off, put on the the sunshirt and fish dry flies.  We have Yellow Sallies, PMD’s, Caddis, Green Drakes,  and Golden Stones Hatching on our Southwest Montana Rivers.

The Big Hole River has leveled off and is consistently producing PMD hatches in the morning, caddis throughout the day and Golden Stones.  Below is a nice brown caught on a golden stone dry fly pattern a few days ago on the Upper Big Hole.

Currently the Beaverhead River is fishing very well on Nymphs. We have hatches of Yellow Sallies and PMD’s. Flows are currently wader friendly up near the Dam. Our fishing has been the best below High Bridge. As the PMD and Sally hatch thickens the dry fly fishing will be very good on the Beaverhead. Below is a Rainbow caught on the Beaverhead on a PMD nymph a few days ago. Large rainbows are being found throughout the lower stretches of the Beaverhead, which is very exciting.

[/eye_text][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Big Hole Salmonfly Hatch Update

by sunriseflyshop

[eye_row data_width=”container”][eye_column data_width=”0-12-0″][eye_text]

Welll, the talk over the phone and in the shop these days consist of when are the Salmonflies going to hatch on the Big Hole.  Historically we see the Big  Hole River Salmonfly hatch start around June 10th – 15th.  I think because of a below average runoff we are having the big bugs should pop a little early this year.  Water temperatures are already climbing into the 50’s.  We just need some hot days to get the salmonflies to hatch during the night.  The key element for the bugs to start hatching is nighttime temperatures staying above 50 degrees for several nights in a row.

The Salmonfly hatch starts around Glen and works it’s way up river as the water warms.  We have had good stonefly nymph fishing from Melrose to Glen, which is a good indicator that the Salmonfly nymphs are moving closer to the banks getting ready to hatch.  We have very good clarity in the river right now and I don’t see any major bump in flows since we have already had peak runoff, unless we get big rain storms.  The Big Hole Salmonfly hatch should be a great one this year!

[/eye_text][/eye_column][/eye_row]