Beaverhead River Fishing Report

Beaverhead River Fishing Report

by sunriseflyshop

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
Big Hole River Fishing Report

Late June Cold Front With Warmth On The Horizon

by sunriseflyshop

We have just experienced an odd cold front the last few days. We even had snow in the high country last night, which was a rude awakening for the Summer solstice. It looks like more cool weather on tap with a warmup coming later this weekend. Golden Stones, Salmonflies, PMD’s and Caddis are hatching on the Big Hole River. You will find the stone flies willing to emerge once we have a few warm days and the water temperatures reach the mid 50’s. Streamer fishing has remained strong during these high flows. Water clarity this morning was 4 feet and will improve as long as flows continue to drop.

The Divide FAS boat ramp is currently closed for more construction. You can use the boat ramp at the Divide Campground. Please park your vehicle outside the campground when using the Divide Campground boat ramp. Some new emergency fishing regulations were announced. Here is a link to the changes that FWP has made. We would be happy to answer any questions 406-835-3474.

Fly Recommendations:

  • #4 Cat Puke
  • #4 Flutter Bug
  • #6 Water Walker Black
  • #6 Half Down Salmonfly 
  • #4 Double Stack Chernobyl Orange
  • #6 Pat’s Stone Orange/brown
  • #6 Sparkle Minnow J.J.
  • #6 Tungston Pancora
  • #4 Dungeon Yellow/Black
  • #14 Hot Spot
  • #12 Blowtorch
Big Hole River Fishing Report

Big Hole River Hatch Report

by sunriseflyshop

The Big Hole River has been fishing very well lately. The Salmonflies are in full force and dry fly fishing has been fantastic when conditions align correctly. We have had good dry fly fishing from Jerry Creek down to Melrose on Salmonflies and golden stones. You will find the hatch all the way up to Eastbank at this point. It looks like the heavy rainfall is behind us. We have clarity around 3 feet as of this morning and it should continue to improve as long as we don’t receive more heavy rain. Now is the time to hit the Salmonfly hatch!

The Jerry Creek boat ramp is open! We are pleased that we have this access available. Divide Boat ramp is still under construction and closed but you can launch your boat at the Divide Campground boat ramp. Please park your vehicle outside the Campground if you use the Ramp at the Divide Campground. 

Recommended Flies:

  • #4 Cat Puke
  • #4 Flutter Bug
  • #6 Water Walker Black
  • #6 Half Down Salmonfly 
  • #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 Fishing Report

Big Hole River Salmonfly Report

by sunriseflyshop

The Big Hole River Salmonfly Hatch is in full swing! We have seen the big bugs from Melrose up into the Maiden Rock Canyon and into the Dewey Canyon. Dry fly fishing around Maiden Rock on Salmonflies was excellent yesterday and it should continue all week. We have been getting rain but the entire river is currently dropping in flows, which will make the trout happy. Conditions can change quickly if we get too much rain up in the headwaters of the Big Hole. The old saying, “you don’t know until you go” is a true player when we are getting rain and snowmelt in June. Clarity in the Big Hole today was 3 feet and will remain good unless we get rain and increased flows.

The Jerry Creek boat ramp is now open! We are pleased that we now have this access available. Divide Boat ramp is still under construction and closed but you can launch your boat at the Divide Campground boat ramp. Please park your vehicle outside the Campground if you use the Ramp at the Divide Campground.

Recommended Flies:

  • #4 Cat Puke
  • #4 Flutter Bug
  • #6 Water Walker Black
  • #6 Half Down Salmonfly
  • #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 Update

by sunriseflyshop

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 Fishing Report

Big Hole River Salmonfly Hatch Report

by sunriseflyshop

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 Fishing Report

Big Hole River and High Water

by sunriseflyshop

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

Beaverhead Is Fishing Well

by sunriseflyshop

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
Big Hole River Fishing Report

Big Hole River Fishing In May

by sunriseflyshop

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
Beaverhead River Fishing Report

Beaverhead River Season Opener

by sunriseflyshop

Saturday, May 20th is the upper Beaverhead River season opener. Flows out of Clark Canyon Reservoir are currently 211cfs. The River is low and wade fishing will be able to be done on the entire upper stretch. This is always a crowded weekends to hit the Beaverhead, but it is very productive. Nymphing will be the name of the game. You will find fish eating sow bugs, scuds and midges. Since the river is low please be considerate to other anglers on the water. The river is running clear all the way down to Grasshopper Creek. The Beaverhead below Grasshopper Creek will be off color due to runoff.

Recommended Flies:

  • #16 Soft Hackle Sow Bug
  • #16 Ray Charles Pink
  • #16 Poxy Back Sow Bug Grey
  • #16 Soft Hackle Scud Orange
  • #6 Sparkle Minnow
  • #6 Tractor Trailer