Category: Beaverhead River Fishing Report

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

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

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.

The Beaverhead river is in perfect summer shape heading into the holiday week. Clark Canyon outflows are 580cfs today. We have been seeing the first of the PMD hatch on the upper Beaverhead and clouds of Yellow Sallies around Henneberry access site. You will also find handfuls of Golden Stone’s around grasshopper access area. The flows right now are excellent for the floater and good for the wade angler. From the Dam down to Henneberry fishing access has been our best fishing.

Recommended Flies:

• Split Back PMD #18
• Crack back PMD #18
• Mayhem PMD #18
• Comparadun PMD #18
• Micro Mayfly #16
• Psycho Prince #18
• McGrubber PMD #16
• Thread Frenchie #18

The Beaverhead River has been fishing well lately. The flows out of Clark Canyon Reservoir are only 297cfs right now. The wade anglers have the pleasure of tromping anywhere they want to right now. We have had good fishing around the dam and all the way to Grasshopper Creek. Currently, the creek is dumping muddy water into the Beaverhead. We recommend staying above Grasshopper Creek for better water clarity. We have been doing well with Sow Bugs, Scuds, and olive midge nymphs. The water is still very cold coming out of the reservoir so hatches are sparse. This is a great place to be right now while the freestone rivers are blown out with runoff.