Dry fly fishing on the Big Hole has been excellent.

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

Dry fly fishing on the Big Hole has been excellent. We have Spruce Moths, Trico’s and PMD’s hatching on the river. You will find the Spruce Moth hatch from Jerry Creek down to Maiden Rock. The trico hatch occurs around 8:00 in the morning and last a few hours. Nymphing has been good in the shallow fast riffles in the afternoon.  “Hoot Owl” restrictions just went in place on section III of the Big Hole. We have no restrictions from Dickey Bridge down to Maiden Rock FWP. Please note Maiden Rock FWP is the lower Maiden Rock, which is out of the canyon a few miles upstream from Melrose. Here is a map to help you with the closures http://bhwc.org/fish-water/river-conditions/

Recommended Flies: #12 Spruce Moth; CDC Spruce Moth; #18 Comparadun Trico; #18 Trico Spinner;#14 Purple Craze; #14 Comparadun Yellow; #12 Bloom’s Caddis; #12 Purple Chubby; #14 Para Wolf; #14 Psycho Mayfly; #12 Prince Nymph; #10 Pat’s Stone; #14 Pearl Lightning Bug; #14 Red Copper John; 4 Mini Loop Sculpin; #6 Sculpzilla

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

Mid Summer fishing has been solid on the Big Hole River.

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

Mid Summer fishing has been solid on the Big Hole River. You will need a variety of flies since one day they are keyed into a certain bug and the next day they want something completely different. You will find some PMD’s, caddis, and sallies on the water. We are about to move into Trico season on the Big Hole so be ready to have some Trico’s with you on the water. Dry flies of choice have been #12 Chubby chernobyl’s; #16 Para wolf’s; #16 comparaduns; #16 PMX’s. Our nymphs of choice have been changing daily. I would have some streamers; Pat’s stone’s; #16 super flash pheasant tail’s; #16 psycho mayflies; #16 Batman nymphs. We have no closures to report to you. Warm weather is in the forecast so please pay attention to water temperatures. If trout get stressed keep em’ wet.

Sunrise Guide Shawn Bechtol getting clients on some nice Big Hole trout

Recommended Flies: #14 Purple Craze; #14 Comparadun Yellow; #12 Bloom’s Caddis; #12 Purple Chubby; #14 Para Wolf; #14 Psycho Mayfly; #12 Prince Nymph; #10 Pat’s Stone; #14 Pearl Lightning Bug; #14 Red Copper John; 4 Mini Loop Sculpin; #6 Sculpzilla

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

Hoot Owl restrictions were just lifted today on section V of the Big Hole.

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

Hoot Owl restrictions were just lifted today on section V of the Big Hole. So the entire river is open to fishing 24 hours a day. Flows have started to stabilize and we are dropping slightly, which is favorable for good fishing. You will find hatches of PMD’s, Caddis and some Sallies on the river. With the settled weather pattern, fishing will remain good for the next several days.

Recommended Flies: #14 Purple Craze; #14 Comparadun Yellow; #12 Bloom’s Caddis; #12 Purple Chubby; #14 Para Wolf; #14 Psycho Mayfly; #12 Prince Nymph; #10 Pat’s Stone; #14 Pearl Lightning Bug; #14 Red Copper John; 4 Mini Loop Sculpin; #6 Sculpzilla

[/eye_text]

[/eye_column][/eye_row]

The Big Hole has had an increase of flow due to widespread rain.

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

The Big Hole has had an increase of flow due to widespread rain. The river has remained running clear. We have had hatches of PMD’s, Caddis and drakes. Fishing was tough during the flow increase but today that should improve with the dropping water conditions. More good news to announce the Hoot Owl closures are off the upper Big Hole but the lower Big Hole River below Notch Bottom is still under Hoot Owl closure after 2:00pm. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Big Hole River Day this Saturday in Melrose. We will be putting on the annual casting competitions. Come join the fun and we have great prizes for the competition. Here is a link to see a map of the Hoot Owl Closure http://bhwc.org/fish-water/river-conditions/

Recommended Flies: #14 Purple Craze; #14 Comparadun Yellow; #12 Bloom’s Caddis; #12 Purple Chubby; #14 Para Wolf; #14 Psycho Mayfly; #12 Prince Nymph; #10 Pat’s Stone; #14 Pearl Lightning Bug; #14 Red Copper John; 4 Mini Loop Sculpin; #6 Sculpzilla

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

A pleasant change in the weather pattern lately has made for some great fishing.

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

A pleasant change in the weather pattern lately has made for some great fishing. Cooler air temperatures has water temperatures staying in great shape. Hatches are starting around 9 am with PMD’s and then yellow sallies and caddis in the afternoons. Below Melrose we are seeing some nocturnal stoneflies. You will be able to fish the entire day with success with the cooler weather we have had lately. Remember the Hoot Owl closures are on the very lower river and upper river. Here is a map of the area closed after 2:00pm. http://bhwc.org/fish-water/river-conditions/

Recommended Flies: #14 PMX; #12 Purple Craze; #12 Comparadun Yellow; #12 Copper Cripple; #14 Bloom’s Caddis; #10 Chubby UV; #10 Pat’s Stone; #12 Pearl Lightning Bug; #12 Red Copper John; #14 Psycho May brown; #12 Pheasant Tail; McCunnes Sculpin; Mini Look Sculpin; #6 Sparkle Minnow 

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

Fishing has been pretty good on the Big Hole lately.

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

Fishing has been pretty good on the Big Hole lately. You will find hatches of PMD’s, Yellow Sallies, Caddis, and nocturnal stones. Our best dry fly fishing is from around daylight until 11:00 am. If you find cloud cover dry fly fishing will remain good in the afternoon. Please pay attention to water temperatures. If it remains hot the afternoon fishing will slow down and in order to protect the fishery carry a thermometer to make sure water temperatures are safe. Streamer fishing with a small bead head nymph trailed behind it is working very well in the shallow riffles.

We do have some Hoot Owl closures to inform you all about. From Saginaw Bridge near Wisdom to Dickey Bridge is closed from 2:00pm tilll midnight and from Notch Bottom to the confluence with the Beaverhead is closed from 2:00pm till midnight. From Dickey Bridge to Notch bottom is open 24 hrs a day for fishing. Here is a helpful link for the Hoot owl Closures. http://bhwc.org/fish-water/river-conditions/

Dennis Nelson with a great 22 inch Brown caught in the Maiden Rock Canyon

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

The fishing remains lights out on the Big Hole.

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

The fishing remains lights out on the Big Hole. We have several hatches to discuss on this report. You will find Golden Stones, PMD’s, Green Drakes, and Caddis from Jerry Creek all the way down to the lower end of the Big Hole. If you are still wanting to chase some Salmonflies head up river. We still have Salmonflies from Sportsman’s down to the Jerry Creek area. Along with Salmonflies on the upper river you will find PMD’s, Green Drakes, and Caddis. Flows have bumped a little bit due to some overnight rain. This will not put the fishing off. Clarity remains around 3 feet on the river. We have also had stellar streamer fishing lately. In the fast shallow riffles we have been fishing mini loop sculpins, #4 Lil’ Kim copper, and #6 sparkle minnows.

Recommended Flies: #8 Chubby Chernobyl; #12 Purple Haze; #12 Film Critic; #14 Comparadun; #14 Cripple Copper; #12 Pearl Lightning Bug; #12 Red Copper John; #8 Pat’s Stone Black; #4 Lil’ Kim; #4 Sculpzilla; #6 Sparkle Minnow; #6 Mini Loop Sculpin

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

The fishing remains lights out on the Big Hole.

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

The fishing remains lights out on the Big Hole. We have several hatches to discuss on this report. You will find Golden Stones, PMD’s, Green Drakes, and Caddis from Jerry Creek all the way down to the lower end of the Big Hole. If you are still wanting to chase some Salmonflies head up river. We still have Salmonflies from Sportsman’s down to the Jerry Creek area. Along with Salmonflies on the upper river you will find PMD’s, Green Drakes, and Caddis. Flows have bumped a little bit due to some overnight rain. This will not put the fishing off. Clarity remains around 3 feet on the river. We have also had stellar streamer fishing lately. In the fast shallow riffles we have been fishing mini loop sculpins, #4 Lil’ Kim copper, and #6 sparkle minnows.

 

Recommended Flies: #8 Chubby Chernobyl; #12 Purple Haze; #12 Film Critic; #14 Comparadun; #14 Cripple Copper; #12 Pearl Lightning Bug; #12 Red Copper John; #8 Pat’s Stone Black; #4 Lil’ Kim; #4 Sculpzilla; #6 Sparkle Minnow; #6 Mini Loop Sculpin

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

June 1st is the start of the Salmonfly Season here on the Big Hole.

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

June 1st is the start of the Salmonfly Season here on the Big Hole. The bugs have not hatched yet but they are getting close on the lower river. We have been having stellar fishing on the Salmonfly nymphs lately. #4 Pat’s stones in the shallow fast riffle water has been very good lately. We are also having good luck with streamers. Copper Zonkers; #4 Lil Kim olive/copper. The Salmonflies should hatch soon on the lower Big Hole below Melrose. When we have some first sightings of the bugs we will let you know.

Client Al Range with a beauty Big Hole Brown caught recently

Recommended Flies : #6 San Juan Worm; #12 Pheasant Tail #12 Prince Nymph; #4 Pat’s Stone Brown/Orange; #12 CDC Caddis #14 Caddis Pupa; #14 X Caddis; #4 Smoking’ Mirrors; J.J. Special #10 Sparkle Minnow; #4 Sunrise Sculpzilla  #6 Yellow Zonker  #6 Copper Zonker

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

Dropping water conditions has the entire river fishing well again.

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

Dropping water conditions has the entire river fishing well again. The streamer fishing has been fantastic lately. You will also have some caddis still around and some drakes. The fish have been willing to chase the streamers pretty well lately. More overcast and wet conditions are in the forecast. It’s the perfect time to get the big fish to move to your fly.

SUNRISE FLY SHOP IS HIRING: Shuttle drivers, starting June 1st. Please call to enquire about the position. 406-835-3474 

Recommended Flies : #6 San Juan Worm; #12 Pheasant Tail #12 Prince Nymph; #10 Pat’s Stone Brown/Green; #12 CDC Caddis #14 Caddis Pupa; #14 X Caddis; #10 Mr. Beam Skwala #10 Bullet Head Skwala #8; #4 Smoking’ Mirrors; J.J. Special #10 Sparkle Minnow; #4 Sunrise Sculpzilla  #6 Yellow Zonker 

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