Beaverhead River Fishing Report

The Beaverhead River fishing report is fantastic lately. We have hatches of PMD’s, caddis, yellow sallies and some golden stones. Our guides have been doing very well from the dam down to Barretts. You will find fish up eating PMD’s and yellow sallies throughout the day. Nymph anglers have been hanging fish very well on PMD nymphs and yellow sally nymphs. This is the month to hit the Beaverhead river for the best dry fly activity of the year. We currently have guides open this month if you want to see this river in prime form.

Hoot Owl (2:00 p.m. – Midnight ) Fishing restrictions have been implemented on part of the Beaverhead River. From HWY 41 near East Bench Road to it’s confluence with the Big Hole River is on Hoot Owl Restrictions. This is not the section that we fish regularly. From the Dam down to Barretts park is open with no restrictions.

Recommended Flies:

  • #18 Split Back PMD Black
  • #16 Spanish bullet Yellow
  • #18 Mahen PMD
  • #16 Psycho May PMD
  • #16 Comparadun PMD
  • #10 Chubby Golden

Beaverhead River Fishing Report

The Beaverhead River has been fishing well lately. We are truly finding some excellent fish since the upper river has been open. Currently, it is all nymph fishing with sow bugs, scuds, and midges. Streamer fisherman are getting it done on the lower stretches with black and olive patterns. Water flows out of Clark Canyon Reservoir are currently 421cfs.

Beaverhead River Fishing Report

Fishing on the Beaverhead River has been pretty good lately. We have seen blue winged olives hatching and the Caddis will start in the next week or two. Streamer fishing on the lower end has been good on J.J.’s and black dungeons. We have seen very nice 16 inch – 18 inch brown trout in the Sections below Pipe Organ Bridge. These fish wintered well and it should be a nice fish year on the Beaverhead River. We are excited for the this month and the summer to come!

Reminder: The Dam down to Pipe Organ bridge is closed through May 17th. The opener on the upper Beaverhead is May 18th. Clark Canyon Reservoir is full and outflows are hovering at 250cfs. It is going to be a fabulous water year on the Beaverhead.

Recommended Flies:

  • #16 Spanish Bullet Olive
  • #16 Thread Frenchie
  • #8 San Juan Worm
  • #6 J.J. Special
  • #6 Dungeon Black

Hiring For The 2024 Season

Sunrise Fly Shop is hiring for the 2024 fishing season. Below are there positions that are available. We would like to hear from you and welcome enthusiastic employees who are passionate about fishing.

2024 JOB OPENINGS :
To inquire about or to apply for any of the open positions, please give us a call 406-835-3474 or email [email protected]

Shop Staff

Sunrise Fly Shop is seeking a dynamic individual to join our Fly Shop Team. As a key member of our passionate and knowledgeable staff, you will be responsible for various tasks, including sales, providing exceptional customer service, answering phones, operating the register, running shuttles, fulfilling online orders, and crafting engaging fishing reports. We require someone with a genuine passion for fly fishing, a willingness to learn about the rivers of Southwest Montana, the ability to thrive in a fast – paced work environment, and, most importantly, a positive attitude. If you are enthusiastic about sharing your love for fly fishing and providing top-notch service, we invite you to apply and be a part of our Sunrise Fly Shop staff.

Shuttle Driver

Looking for a fun Summer job? We are looking for hard working individuals to fill 3 open positions as a shuttle driver. You will need to be at least 18 years of age, good driving record and have a great attention to detail and safety. You will not need to use your own vehicle. A Company vehicle is provided for you.

Spring Special on the Beaverhead River

It is time to book your Spring Special on the Beaverhead River with Sunrise Fly Shop. We have been running spring trips for over 17 years. This should be a great year to fish the Beaverhead in April. You will find Blue Winged Olives hatching, solid nymphing and the opportunity to throw streamers. Contact us today to book your trip.

Spring fly fishing in Southwest Montana enables you to fish a variety of styles to produce fish. If you join us for a float trip on the Beaverhead Rivers this Spring we will be throwing dry flies, nymphs or streamers to catch fish. You will find this season to be uncrowded and rewarding. What makes the spring magical is that we get the first large hatches of the year and the trout are ready to eat. You can be the first anglers to tease these trout this spring. It is not uncommon to have your best fishing day of the season in April.

Beaverhead River August Fishing Report

The Beaverhead River has continued to fish well for us lately. The Flows out of Clark Canyon Reservoir have been dropping recently, which is great news. Outflows this morning were 557 cfs and dropping. Clark Canyon Reservoir has turned over and clarity on the upper Beaverhead has diminished. The upper sections of the Beaverhead has been nymphing well with Tungsten Sunkist’s, Hunchback’s, and split back’s. The hopper fishing has picked up lately on the lower sections of the Beaverhead River. We have brought up some massive fish lately on Chernobyl ant’s and hoppers.

Currently we have no fishing restrictions on the Beaverhead River. All sections are open to fishing.

Recommended Flies:

  • #16 Hunchback PMD
  • #18 Tungsten Sunkist
  • #16 Split Back Olive
  • #8 Chernobyl Ant Tan
  • #8 Black Magic
  • #8 Morrish Hopper

Beaverhead River Fishing

The Beaverhead River is fishing well for us lately. The flows out of Clark Canyon Reservoir are 886cfs. The Beaverhead is flowing bank full and fast at these flows. Wade fishing is not an option for most anglers but the boat fishing has been good. We are seeing hatches of PMD’s, Caddis and yellow sallies. Dry fly fishing has been tougher at these high flows for most anglers. The best tactic lately has been nymph fishing with PMD’s and yellow sallies. Fish are holding on the edges and in the shallow zones where you find gravel bottom. If you are looking to get out on a guide trip this up coming week give us a call. We currently have a few guides available.

The Beaverhead River is on Hoot Owl restrictions (2:00 PM to midnight) from the confluence of the Big Hole River to Anderson Lane on the Beaverhead beginning 2 PM on July 19.  This section is on the far lower reach of the River. From Barretts State Park to the Dam is “not” under Hoot Owl restriction, you can fish this section all day. Please call us if you have any questions 406-835-3474.

Recommended Flies:

  • Split Case PMD #18
  • Trigger Nymph PMD #18
  • Hunchback PMD #18
  • Psycho Prince #12
  • Comparadun PMD #18
  • Tilt Wing PMD #16

Beaverhead River Fishing Report

The Beaverhead River continues to fish very well this month. The outflow from Clark Canyon Reservoir is 580 cfs as of this morning. The flows have been bumping daily in the afternoon for irrigation demands. We have had excellent dry fly fishing lately on the Beaverhead River. Hatches of PMD’s, yellow sallies and caddis are getting the fish active. The fish have been elevated and chowing. Nymph fisherman have been successful throughout the day on the upper river near the dam. It is time to get down to the Beaverhead and enjoy the splendor of this tailwater. July is our peak season on the Beaverhead River. We have some dates available for guide trips this month. Give us a call to book your trip/lodging (406) 835-3474.

Recommended Flies:

  • #18 Mayhem PMD
  • #16 Split Case PMD
  • #16 Tilt Wing PMD
  • #16 CDC Caddis
  • #18 Comparadun
  • #16 McGrubber
  • #16 Thread Frenchie

Beaverhead River Fishing Report

The Beaverhead River has been fishing very well for us. The hatches on the Beaverhead are starting to heat up! We are seeing pale morning dun’s, yellow sallies and caddis on the river. Dry fly fishing has picked up over the last few days and will continue to be productive this week. Flows out of Clark Canyon Reservoir are around 300 cfs. We are seeing fantastic rainbows and brown trout this year on the Beaverhead River. We hope everyone gets out on the river for the holiday weekend.

Recommended Flies:

  • # 18 Mayhem PMD
  • #16 Barr’s PMD
  • #18 Split Case PMD
  • #16 Jig Frenchie
  • #16 Tilt Wing PMD
  • #18 Comparadun PMD
  • #16 Bubble Back PMD
  • #10 Chubby Chernobyl Gold
  • #8 Plan B

Beaverhead Is Fishing Well

The Beaverhead River has been fishing well while other freestone rivers are experiencing runoff. We have had our best fishing on the Beaverhead from the Dam down to Henneberry access. The flows out of Clark Canyon Reservoir are 376cfs today. this is a great flow for wading and a decent flow for floating the river. We have had good activity on sow bugs, scuds and PMD nymphs. Hatches are not thick yet but look for that to improve in the next week. On the cloudy days we have had excellent streamer fishing. We have been finding a lot of healthy fish near the dam and they will continue to pack on the pounds as the hatches thicken.

Recommended Flies:

  • #16 Pandemic Mayfly
  • #16 Split Back olive
  • #16 Soft Hackle Sow Bug
  • #18 Ray Charles
  • #18 Thread Frenchie
  • #16 Sow Bug Grey
  • #6 Mini Dungeon
  • #6 Jig Sparkle Minnow
  • #6 Little Kim Olive