Big Hole River Salmonfly Hatch Update

The Big Hole River Salmonfly Hatch has started below Melrose. We have seen adult Salmonflies from Glen up to Melrose. Flows have slightly bumped due to rain which made for tough fishing yesterday. As of this morning the river is running with 3 feet of visibility and all signs point to a fishable river today. We think the heavy rain is behind us but we don’t know for sure. Once the river drops in flow we should get dry fly salmonfly activity below Melrose. The big bugs are out and we are ready to throw dry flies! We have not seen adult Salmonflies in the Maiden Rock Canyon yet, this should take a few days before the hatch moves into the canyon. Things change daily with this hatch so feel free to call for information.

Recommended Flies:

  • #4 Cat Puke
  • #4 Flutter Bug
  • #4 Double Stack Chernobyl Orange
  • #4 Pat’s Stone Orange/brown
  • #6 Sparkle Minnow J.J.
  • #6 Tungston Pancora
  • #4 Dungeon Yellow/Black

Big Hole River Salmonfly Hatch Report

June is here and the lilacs are in full bloom, which means Big Hole River Salmonflies are right around the corner. We have not spotted any adult Salmonflies yet, but on the lower Big Hole the Salmonfly nymphs are very close to the banks when we have overturned rocks. It is very close to GO TIME! The Big Hole is dropping in flows and as long as we don’t get substantial rain, the flows will continue to decline. We are fishing Salmonfly nymphs on the lower Big Hole and streamers. On the upper Sections of the Big Hole we are fishing streamers, caddis and San Juan Worms.

The Jerry Creek boar ramp is still under construction but should be done any day now. The Divide boat ramp is still far out from completion. We are crossing our fingers that both of these ramps will be completed soon. give us a call for the most up to date information 406-835-3474.

Recommended Flies:

  • #6 Jig Sparkle Minnow Light Olive
  • #4 Big Hole Bugger
  • #4 Sparkle Yellow Yummy 
  • #4 Barely Legal
  • #10 Pat’s Stone Black
  • #8 San Juan Worm 
  • #8 Wonky Worm
  • #8 Fish Finder Wine
  • #14 X Caddis
  • #14 CDC Caddis
  • # Tungston Pandora Olive/Orange

Big Hole River and High Water

The Big Hole River is in full runoff mode right now. Flows around Melrose are over 5,000cfs and flows on the upper river are around 2,600cfs. With all this said, fishing around Melrose is tough due to the high flows. The river has great clarity but it is just too high to fish it very efficiently. We are fishing above the Wise river where it is currently around 2,600cfs and fishing has been pretty good. We are seeing well fed fish lately that are packing on the pounds. On the upper river we are floating from Mudd Creek down. The Jerry Creek boar ramp is still under construction but should be done this upcoming week. The Divide boat ramp is in the same situation. We are crossing our fingers that both of these ramps will be completed soon.

Our best fishing has been with streamers and nymphs lately. We have truly had some fantastic streamer days on the upper Big Hole. Peak runoff should be coming soon and we will then be on the downward hydrographic waiting for Salmonflies. Currently we have caddis, March Brown’s and Blue Winged Olives hatching. We still have some guide openings for early June if you want to catch the pre Salmonfly fishing. Give us a call to get the most up to date report 406-8353474.

Recommended Flies:

  • #6 Jig Sparkle Minnow Light Olive
  • #4 Big Hole Bugger
  • #4 Sparkle Yellow Yummy
  • #4 Barely Legal
  • #10 Pat’s Stone Black
  • #8 San Juan Worm
  • #8 Wonky Worm
  • #8 Fish Finder Wine
  • #14 X Caddis
  • #14 CDC Caddis

Big Hole River Fishing In May

The Big Hole River fishing in May can be rewarding and humbling due to the environmental factors of runoff. We are having days right now that fishing has been good and some days have been darn tough. Flows around Melrose are over 4,000cfs and fishing has been difficult with these high flows. Fishing above the Wise River has been good some days and fair on other days. The Caddis on the lower Big Hole have started to hatch. On the upper Big Hole we have March Brown’s and Blue Winged Olives hatching. Our best success on the upper Big Hole has been with streamers and San Juan Worms. Visibility has remained around 3 feet on the banks, which is excellent. Flows and clarity can change daily due to the May runoff. The upper Big Hole is dropping in flows, which should bring good fishing conditions. High water means get your streamer box out and find some large brown trout.

Recommended Flies:

  • Pat’s Stone Olive/Brown #8
  • Pat’s Stone Black #8
  • San Juan Worm Pink/Red #8
  • Rio’s Tractor Trailer Yellow/Brown #6
  • Jig Sparkle Minnow J.J. #4
  • Dungeon Yellow #4
  • Barely Legal Olive/Black #6

Big Hole River Fishing Report

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Big Hole Fishing Report

Fishing has picked up on the Big Hole. We are in a great window of spring fishing for the next several days. We have a stable weather pattern and the river has dropped and cleared. Fishing around Melrose has been good. We have not had dry fly fishing but the streamer bite and nymph action has been very productive. Look for the slower seems and edges of banks and you will find the fish. Our best streamers have been dark colored and the yellow favorites for the Big Hole. A few skwallas are still kicking around but we will be waiting for Caddis on the lower river soon.

COVID-19 Phase 1 Social Distancing and Sanitization Regulations

In accordance with the directives of both the State of Montana and Silver Bow County, below are the rules for entering the fly shop

  1. No customers with COVID-19 symptoms may enter the fly shop
  2. Only 3 customers may be in the fly shop at one time
  3. Mandatory to practice 6-foot social distancing guidelines while in the fly shop
  4. All customers must sanitize their hands using our provided sanitizer before entering the shop
  5. Before touching any flies, please get a pair of rubber gloves from an employee
  6. You are welcome to try on any clothing, but please let us know so that we can sanitize the product when you are finished
  7. Please wear a facial mask
  8. Restrooms will temporarily be unavailable to the public
  9. Fishing Licenses have to be purchased online. Click Here to purchase

We have a Pick-Up window for customers that would prefer doing take-out orders

Thank you for your cooperation. Together, we will make it through these difficult times

Currently we are in Phase 1 Business Requirements 

  • A 14 day quarantine for non resident business travelers will remain in effect. If residents or non residents leave the state of Montana and then come back into Montana they are required to self isolate and quarantine for 14 days before being able to visit a retail store or go on a guided fishing trip. Once the ongoing quarantine travel restriction requirements have been met, guides and outfitters may offer their services provided they adhere to social distancing guidelines and sanitation protocols.  Governor Bullock said “While we love our visitors, we would ask that you not come visit while Montanans are watching out for one another by staying at home. This is important not only to protect our health care system, but also to protect against the spread of COVID-19. As of today, travel from another state or country is the most common known source of COVID-19 infections in Montana. I am asking anyone who is in Montana and has recently traveled from another state or country to do the right thing and self-quarantine for 14 days,” The Directive applies both to Montana residents and non-residents entering the state for non-work-related purposes.
  • In establishments where customers wait in a line, non-household customers should remain physically distanced.
  • Physical Distancing of 6 feet must be maintained between non-congregate customers. This will require the reduction in capacity of our fly shop down to 3 customers at a time.
  • Customer and employees must sanitize their hands before entering the retail store.

Phase 1 and 2 Recreational Guidelines

  • Public lands, fishing access sites, and parks are encouraged to continue to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for local and regional users provided that users can adhere to strict social distancing guidelines and facilities follow frequent sanitizing protocols. Areas that cannot practicably implement social distancing requirements or sanitation needs will remain closed. Limited campground offerings, group-use facilities and playgrounds, may be opened at the discretion of local and state managers. Local, state and federal officials are strongly encouraged to coordinate on all reopening decisions. Guides and outfitters may offer services consistent with any ongoing quarantine travel restrictions provided they adhere to social distancing guidelines and sanitation protocols. Visitors should check the status of any closures and restrictions before traveling.

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#4 Smokin’ Mirrors
#4 Sparkle Minnow
#4 Walter’s Weakness
#8 Pat’s Stone
#6 Flash minnow
#8 Chubby Chernobyl (Olive)
#12 March Brown

#12 Purple Rooster
#12 Red Copper John
#12 Silver Lightning Bug
#18 Jiggy Worm
#14 Purple Haze
#16 Blue Winged Olive Comparadun

[/eye_text][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”5″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Plenty of new streamers to choose from on our online store. ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com”]2477|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Streamer-Flies-1024×1024.jpg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row][eye_row data_width=”container” data_equal_height=”true” data_margin_row=”0,0″ data_padding_row=”50px,15px,0,15px”][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Customers are welcome to use our pick up window for in store shopping or web order pick up. ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com”]2476|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Pick-Up-Window-1024×978.jpg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right”]1479|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/gallery-two.gif|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Give us a call to enter into the raffle only 12 tickets left! 406-835-3474″]2478|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/10-raffle.jpg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Big Hole River Fishing Report

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The Big Hole River is off color due to the warm weather we have been having. This is not high elevation snowmelt runoff. The snow that is melting is valley floor and low to mid elevation snowpack. Once the river flushes this out it will clear and the fishing will be very good. We do not know when this will be, so we will keep you posted. The weather is nice for a float right now though. We have seen skwallas and March brown’s hatching as of late. The best tactic right now has been either streamers tight to the banks or a worm off the bank below a skwalla dry fly.

We have a pick up window on the porch of our shop for online “pick up” orders or for folks that want to shop through the window and not come into the shop. We are keeping the shop sanitized and employees are using all precautions possible during this time period. Below are the precautions we are taking.

COVID-19 Phase 1 Social Distancing and Sanitization Regulations

 

In accordance with the directives of both the State of Montana and Silver Bow County, below are the rules for entering the fly shop

 

  1. No customers with COVID-19 symptoms may enter the fly shop
  2. Only 3 customers may be in the fly shop at one time
  3. Mandatory to practice 6-foot social distancing guidelines while in the fly shop
  4. All customers must sanitize their hands using our provided sanitizer before entering the shop
  5. Before touching any flies, please get a pair of rubber gloves from an employee
  6. You are welcome to try on any clothing, but please let us know so that we can sanitize the product when you are finished
  7. Please wear a facial mask
  8. Restrooms will temporarily be unavailable to the public

We have a Pick-Up window for customers that would prefer doing take-out orders

Thank you for your cooperation. Together, we will make it through these difficult times

 

Currently we are in Phase 1 Business Requirements 

  • A 14 day quarantine for non resident business travelers will remain in effect. If residents or non residents leave the state of Montana and then come back into Montana they are required to self isolate and quarantine for 14 days before being able to visit a retail store or go on a guided fishing trip. Once the ongoing quarantine travel restriction requirements have been met, guides and outfitters may offer their services provided they adhere to social distancing guidelines and sanitation protocols.  Governor Bullock said “While we love our visitors, we would ask that you not come visit while Montanans are watching out for one another by staying at home. This is important not only to protect our health care system, but also to protect against the spread of COVID-19. As of today, travel from another state or country is the most common known source of COVID-19 infections in Montana. I am asking anyone who is in Montana and has recently traveled from another state or country to do the right thing and self-quarantine for 14 days,” The Directive applies both to Montana residents and non-residents entering the state for non-work-related purposes.
  • In establishments where customers wait in a line, non-household customers should remain physically distanced.
  • Physical Distancing of 6 feet must be maintained between non-congregate customers. This will require the reduction in capacity of our fly shop down to 3 customers at a time.
  • Customer and employees must sanitize their hands before entering the retail store.

Phase 1 and 2 Recreational Guidelines

  • Public lands, fishing access sites, and parks are encouraged to continue to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for local and regional users provided that users can adhere to strict social distancing guidelines and facilities follow frequent sanitizing protocols. Areas that cannot practicably implement social distancing requirements or sanitation needs will remain closed. Limited campground offerings, group-use facilities and playgrounds, may be opened at the discretion of local and state managers. Local, state and federal officials are strongly encouraged to coordinate on all reopening decisions. Guides and outfitters may offer services consistent with any ongoing quarantine travel restrictions provided they adhere to social distancing guidelines and sanitation protocols. Visitors should check the status of any closures and restrictions before traveling.

 

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#4 Smokin’ Mirrors
#4 Sparkle Minnow
#4 Walter’s Weakness (Rainbow)
#6 Pat’s Stone
#6 Flash minnow
#8 Chubby Chernobyl  (Purple)
#12 March Brown

#12 Purple Rooster
#8 San Juan Worm (Pink) (Red)
#12 Silver Lightning Bug
#8 Mr. Beam Skwalla
#14 Purple Haze
#16 Split Winged BWO
#16 Blue Winged Olive Comparadun

[/eye_text][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”5″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Pick Up Window for Web Orders or Storefront Customers. Browse our online store and select ″Store Pick Up″ In the shopping cart ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com”]2476|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Pick-Up-Window-1024×978.jpg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row][eye_row data_width=”container” data_equal_height=”true” data_margin_row=”0,0″ data_padding_row=”50px,15px,0,15px”][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Buy your Raffle ticket for this awesome set up. Call us to purchase raffle tickets 406-835-3474 “]2478|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/10-raffle.jpg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Great New Streamer Patterns in stock on our online store. Shop today and utilize our pick up window for in store pick up. ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com”]2477|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Streamer-Flies-1024×1024.jpg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com”]2455|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PatagoniaInsta.jpg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Book your Spring Special Trip

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Spring will be here before you know it. Come fish some of our first hatches of the season. Spring in Montana means longer days, warmer weather, and the start of the fishing season. When it comes to trout fishing, April and May really don’t get the recognition they deserve. If you are willing to throw on an extra layer and hit the water, you are likely to be rewarded with some of the finest fishing of the year.

With Skwala hatches, BWO, Mother’s Day Caddis, and arguably the best streamer fishing of the year, the spring has something to offer every angler. Book a Spring fishing trip with Sunrise Fly Shop and experience the magic of Spring in Montana for yourself.

[/eye_text][/eye_column][/eye_row][eye_row data_width=”container” data_equal_height=”true” data_margin_row=”0,0″ data_padding_row=”50px,15px,0,15px”][eye_column data_width=”5″][eye_image align=”none” link=”https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/big-hole-river-fly-fishing-special/”]2338|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/SunriseNewsBlast2020-1-300×300.jpg|medium[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row][eye_row data_width=”container” data_margin_row=”75px,0″ data_padding_row=”0,15px,0,15px”][/eye_row][eye_row data_width=”container” data_margin_row=”75px,0″ data_padding_row=”0,15px,0,15px”][/eye_row][eye_row data_width=”container” data_equal_height=”true” data_margin_row=”0,0″ data_padding_row=”50px,15px,0,15px”][/eye_row]

Fish On! In the Big Hole River

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Flows on the Big Hole are starting to come up daily due to some snowmelt but not enough to put the fishing down. Fishing has been pretty darn good lately even with the slight bump in flows. Clarity remains around 4 feet. We have some skwalas around and March Brown mayflies. Our Big Hole River guides have been fishing on the upper Big Hole, Canyon stretches and the lower Big Hole. All three sections of the Big Hole has been fishing well. Water temperatures are hitting the magic number of 50 degrees lately, which has gotten the streamer junkies excited. We have done well on black, olive, and tan streamers. As we all know, conditions this time of year can change quick. Give us a call for up to date information. 406-835-3474.

Book your Spring Special fishing package today! 

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Recommended Flies: #10 Water Walker Olive; #8 Mr. Beam; #12 Parachute Adam’s; #8 T.J. Hooker; #8 Pat’s Stone; #12 Prince Nymph; #10 Squirmy Worm; #8 San Juan Worm Pink/Red #6 Smokin’ Mirrors Black; #6 Flash Minnow Yellow; #6 She Deamon;  Sex Dungeon Black/Yellow/White

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Big Hole River Fishing Report

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During last week we saw some colder temperatures that stopped some of the spring snowmelt and we saw the river drop back down near historical averages. With the drop in flows the visibility improved and we started having some really good fishing. We started seeing a few skwalas flying around, and as a result  fish were coming up for a dry fly. Our best fishing for the last few days has come while using a dry/dropper with a Skwala dry and a San Juan worm. The forecast for the next week is calling for some warmer daytime temperatures and as a result we might see the river start to bump. Hopefully any increases will be minimal and we will continue to see good fishing on the Big Hole. Give us a call at the shop to get the most up to date report on the river condition.

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We have kicked off the 2019 fishing season on the Big Hole ….

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We have kicked off the 2019 fishing season on the Big Hole with a stellar week of fishing and then the river blew out yesterday and is worse today due to an incredible valley floor snowpack that has been melting. This is by no means the “runoff” for the season but things are not good at the moment. The Maiden Rock gauge and lower river gauges on the Big Hole River are all rising and the river around Melrose has only about a foot of visibility. This is a great time to take a break on the freestone rivers and head to tailwater fisheries. We have trips this week heading up to the Missouri River. Here is a link to guide trips on The Land of The Giants. 

Book Your Spring Special Today! 

Sunrise Fly Shop Guide Chris “Romo” Getting after it between guide days

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