Category: Big Hole River Fishing Report

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We are in a massive heat wave here in Montana. Fishing has been good from about 7:00 am – 2:00pm. After 2:00 pm the heat takes over on all our rivers. We have seen good hatches of PMD’s, caddis, and yellow sallies in the mornings. Sculpin patterns in the shallow fast riffles has been good. We also are swinging soft hackle nymphs and producing nice fish in the riffles.

Please give us a call for the latest up to date conditions as fire danger changes and fishing restrictions might change 406-835-3474

 

Dickie Bridge down to Lower Maiden Rock or as we know it Dead Zone or FWP Maiden Rock is open to fishing 24 hours a day. We still suggest resting this section if water temperatures exceed 68 degrees.

Section II: North Fork BHR to Dickie Bridge: Hoot Owl Restriction

 MFWP Maiden Rock (Lower Maiden Rock or known as Dead Zone) to the Confluence of the Jefferson River : Hoot Owl Restriction

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The Big Hole River has been fishing well in the early morning and till about 2:00pm. The afternoon water temperatures due to low flows and scorching air temperatures have made for tough afternoons. Some closures are in effect, which are listed below. Please do not fish the river when water temperatures exceed 68 degrees.  We have had great hatches of PMD’s, Yellow Sallies and caddis on the Big Hole. Nocturnal Stone flies have also shown up and has made for some great early  morning dry fly fishing. Nymphing the shallow riffles has produced some great trout lately for our guides. Have a great holiday weekend and remember to keep your fishing to the coolest parts of the day in Southwest Montana.

Dickie Bridge down to Lower Maiden Rock or as we know it Dead Zone or FWP Maiden Rock is open to fishing 24 hours a day. We still suggest resting this section if water temperatures exceed 68 degrees.

Section II: North Fork BHR to Dickie Bridge: Hoot Owl Restriction

 MFWP Maiden Rock (Lower Maiden Rock or known as Dead Zone) to the Confluence of the Jefferson River : Hoot Owl Restriction

 

Hoot Owl restricts fishing during the hottest part of the day, 2pm-midnight, in order to protect the fishery.

Please call us for more information if you need it. 406-835-3474.

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#4 Mini Loop Sculpin
#4 Lil’ Kim (Olive)
#8 Pat’s Stone
#12 Chubby Chernobyl (UV) (Gold) (Purple)
#12 Hot Spot Purple

#12 Purple Rooster
#12 Red Copper John
#12 Silver Lightning Bug
#12 Bloom’s Caddis
#14 Purple Haze
#16 PMD Comparadun

[/eye_text][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”5″][eye_image align=”right”]3022|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/unnamed-1024×768.jpg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row][eye_row data_width=”container” data_padding_row=”50px,15px,0,15px” data_margin_row=”0,0″ data_equal_height=”true”][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Winston Air-2 6 weight in stock!” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/rods-reels-lines/fly-rods/”]2659|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Unknown-1024×652.jpeg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Shop our flies online!” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/flies/”]2968|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_1138.jpeg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right”]2632|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/BEE19746-D12D-4820-AE97-AF9E244DF5BD-1024×899.jpeg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row]

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The Big Hole River has been fishing very well lately. We have Salmonflies from just above Jerry Creek down to Divide Bridge. You will see Golden Stone’s, PMD’s, Yellow Sallies and Caddis hatching river wide. It is dry fly season and we have been enjoying it! We have been fishing double dry fly rigs or dry dropper rigs most of the day. Stone fly activity has been the best from Jerry Creek down to Maiden Rock. below Melrose you will find more fish keying into PMD’s and Yellow Sallies. We have had some good streamer fishing in the evening or early morning hours. Don’t be afraid to chuck a few streamers in the shallow riffles during the daytime.

 

We have a few prime dates next week with Sunrise Lodging availability. Give us a call for your lodging needs 406-835-3474

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#4 Flutter Bug (Black/Orange)
#4 MFC Water Walker (Brown/Orange)
#6 Chubby Norman
#6 Pat’s Stone (Brown/Black)
#4 Deep Cleaner (Black/Brown)
#8 Chubby Chernobyl (Gold)
#12 Purple Haze

# 12 Jig Lightning Bug
#12 Jig Duracell
#12 Bloom’s Caddis
#6 Slider Bugger
#6 Sparring Partner (Brown/Yellow)

[/eye_text][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”5″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Stoneflies on the Big Hole River “]3007|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/FullSizeRender-1024×768.jpeg|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”]3008|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_1404-1024×768.jpeg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Sunrise Fly Shop Logo gear available online!” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/apparel/sunrise-branded-gear/”]2977|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_2408-881×1024.jpeg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Shop our Patagonia Tropic Comfort Hoodies” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/apparel/womens-apparel/”]3009|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_1468.jpg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row]

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The big bugs are here! We have Salmonflies from Glen all the way up into the Maiden Rock Canyon. Adult Salmonflies are blanketing the willows and they will start flying the next few days, which will make for some great dry fly fishing. Flows remain below average and we have past the peak flows for the spring. Water clarity is around 4 feet. You will want to find the fast water to search out the salmon fly activity. It is time to stop everything going on in your life and hit the Salmonflies on the Big Hole River.

 

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#4 Cat Puke
#4 Flutter Bug
#4 Water Walker (Orange/Black)
#4 Pat’s Stone (Black) (Orange/Brown)
#6 Chubby Chernobyl (UV) (Orange) (Purple)
#4 Henry’s Fork Stone

#6 Deep Cleaner
#12 Silver Lightning Bug
#12 Bloom’s Caddis

[/eye_text][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”5″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Robert with a great Salmonfly eater this week “]3002|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/55F4C095-5FC4-4D1B-B21B-57CE5BBF52A5-1024×924.jpeg|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=”Dry Flies of choice this week “]3003|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_1433-768×1024.jpeg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right”]3004|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/IMG_1414-1024×768.jpeg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”We have the perfect rods for the Salmonfly Hatch. Stop in to find your next dream rod. ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/rods-reels-lines/fly-rods/”]2976|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_2539-1024×572.jpeg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row]

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Summer is here and we all know what the month of June starts with, the anticipation of the Salmonfly hatch! Scorching hot temperatures the last few days has the river on the rise with about 2 -3 feet of visibility. Below average flows will make for a fishable Salmonfly hatch this year. We have not spotted any stoneflies yet but the hatch will start on the lower stretches below Melrose soon. When we spot the bugs we will let you know. We have been doing well on Salmonfly nymphs, caddis, and various mayfly jig head nymphs lately. Streamer colors of choice has been black or natural colors.

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#4 Lil Kim Tan/Gold
#4 Sparring Partner (Black/Purple)
#4 Barely Legal (Yellow/Olive)
#4 Pat’s Stone (Orange/Brown)
#4 Slider Bugger (Black)
#6 Chubby Chernobyl (Orange)

#12 Purple Rooster
#12 Jig Blowtorch
#12 Jig Silver Lightning Bug
#12 Bloom’s Caddis
#14 Purple Haze

[/eye_text][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”5″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”The Upper Big Hole River “]2752|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/sfs-background-1024×458.jpg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row][eye_row data_width=”container” data_padding_row=”50px,15px,0,15px” data_margin_row=”0,0″ data_equal_height=”true”][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”It′s Sun Hoody Season. Shop our online store ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/apparel/shirts/”]2563|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_8639.jpg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Shop our Sales Page for up to 40% off ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/on-sale/”]2294|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/simms-fishing-products-simms-riprap-sandal-felt-3.jpg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right”]1765|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Abu-Brown-2-1024×683.jpg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row]

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We just received a much needed snow/rain event in Southwest Montana and particularly in the Big Hole Valley. The River has come up from the storm but is now on the drop. We are noticing the river starting to clear on the edges today. As the flows continue to come down the river will clear and warm up. Fishing is going to get good the next few days. Once water temperatures get back into the 50’s we will see caddis hatching. The San Juan worm fishing will be great this week due to the recent bump in flows. The holiday weekend fishing should be great as the warmer weather arrives and the river continues to drop. Streamer fishing will improve as the displaced sculpin look for holding water.

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#4 Slider Bugger (Black)
#4 Sparkle Minnow
#4 Little Kim Tan
#6 Pat’s Stone
#6 Sparring Partner (Natural/Yellow)
#8 Chubby Chernobyl (Olive)
#12 March Brown

#12 Purple Rooster
#12 Red Copper John
#12 Silver Lightning Bug
#12 Bloom’s Caddis
#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=”Mason Paul with a fantastic bruiser from the Big Hole River this month”]2987|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_1259.jpeg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row][eye_row data_width=”container” data_padding_row=”50px,15px,0,15px” data_margin_row=”0,0″ data_equal_height=”true”][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Check Out our broad selection of flies on our online store” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/flies/nymphs/”]2988|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/IMG_1045.jpeg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Scott, Orvis & Winston Rods in Stock. Browse our selection” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/rods-reels-lines/fly-rods/”]2976|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_2539-1024×572.jpeg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Logo Gear in stock online” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/apparel/hats/”]2975|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_1165.jpeg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row]

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The Big Hole River is coming into shape from last week’s ice off event. Flows in Melrose are around 1,200cfs and we currently have good visibility in the river. Water temperatures are cold but look for them to improve come this weekend as day time air temperatures get into the 50’s. Once our water temperatures get back into the mid 40’s look for skwalla adults to start showing themselves below Melrose. The upper river is still not ready for fishing with major ice on the boat ramps. We will be concentrating our fishing from Maiden Rock downstream to the lower Big Hole River. During the week it will be nymphing stone flies and worms and come this weekend we should have some dry fly fishing. It is shaping up to be an excellent window for spring fishing.

 

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#4 Slider Bugger
#4 Sparkle Minnow
#4 Little Kim Gold
#6 Pat’s Stone
#4 Sparing Partner
#10 Chubby Chernobyl (olive)
#12 Skinny Chubby Olive

#8 Pink San Juan worm
#10 Red San Juan Worm
#12 Silver Lightning Bug
#16 Split Winged BWO
#16 Blue Winged Olive Comparadun

[/eye_text][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”5″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”A nice brown caught below Melrose right before the ice flows last week “]2957|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_0996-1024×768.jpeg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row][eye_row data_width=”container” data_padding_row=”50px,15px,0,15px” data_margin_row=”0,0″ data_equal_height=”true”][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”new logo hats on our online store ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/apparel/hats/page3.html”]2958|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_2416-1024×914.jpeg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”40 % off Patagonia Tough Puff Shirt online” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/patagonia-tough-puff-shirt-hex-grey-patagonia-fly.html”]2635|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/IMG_9474.jpeg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Some great fish caught this week on LOG. Book your trip today for great spring fishing ” link=”https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/land-of-giants-fly-fishing-guide-service/”]2959|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_2219-1024×768.jpeg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row]