Big Hole River Fall Fishing Report

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

Fall fishing is here and you better get your streamer box out for the next several days.  Overcast, rain, and some rising water flows will get the brown trout chasing streamers very well.  The Big Hole is running gin clear right now.  Don’t let the rising water from the rain intimidate you.  We have been doing well with the mini loop sculpins, Trevor’s Sculpins, Sparkle minnows, and J.J.’s.  Baetis, and Mahogany Duns are hatching in locations in the canyon and lower river.  Nymphing has been solid with Pat’s Stones, #18 Red Copper John’s, Silver Lightning bugs, and Micro Mayflies.

Flies:  #12 Chubby Chernobyl Yellow/Purple/Black; #10 Purple Haze; #16 Baetis Cripple; #16 Rocky Mountain Mint, #18 Trico Spinner, #18 Trico Comparadun, #10 Pat’s Stone #12 Red Copper John #16 Bat Man Nymph orange/brown: #8 RL Stone; #6 J.J. Special #6 Coffey Bugger; #4 Bad Boy #  10 Copper/Pearl Zonker   #4 Mini Look Sculpin, #4 Trevor’s Sculpin

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

Big Hole River Fall Fishing Report

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

We had our first dusting of snow in the high country a couple days ago.  Fall is in the air and we have a great stretch of weather ahead of us.  Cool mornings, and warm afternoons are on tap for the next several days.  We have been nymphing in the mornings, and throwing dry flies in the afternoons.  In the morning a size #16 Silver Lightning bug, #16 Psycho May flies, #16 pheasant tails, and #18 red copper John’s have been producing nice fish.  In the afternoon you will find baetis hatching, and Mahogany duns.  #14 grey rocky mountain mint’s and #16 split wing Blue wing’s have been our dries of choice.  The Big Hole River Flow still remain above average for this time of year.

Flies:  #12 Chubby Chernobyl Yellow/Purple/Black; #10 Purple Haze; #16 PMD Cripple; #16 Rocky Mountain Mint, #18 Trico Spinner, #18 Trico Comparadun, #10 Pat’s Stone #12 Red Copper John #16 Bat Man Nymph orange/brown: #8 RL Stone; #6 J.J. Special #6 Coffey Bugger; #4 Bad Boy #  10 Copper/Pearl Zonker

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

The willows on the Big Hole River have a tint of yellow …..

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

The willows on the Big Hole River have a tint of yellow on the tips and the cotton woods are not far off from changing to the autumn gold color.  The flows have dropped but we are still above historic averages on the Big Hole.  The hatches are starting a little later in the morning due to the cool fall mornings.  We are seeing Trico’s around 10:30 in the morning and the spinner fall before noon.  The afternoon air temperature has been warm and the fish have been actively eating in the riffles.  Ants, hoppers, and baetis nymphs have been working in the afternoons.  Rain and cooler weather in the middle of this week should make for some great streamer fishing and baetis hatches.

Rob Ware with another great Big Hole Brown

Flies:  #12 Chubby Chernobyl Yellow/Purple/Black; #10 Purple Haze; #16 PMD Cripple; #16 Rocky Mountain Mint, #18 Trico Spinner, #18 Trico Comparadun, #10 Pat’s Stone #12 Red Copper John #16 Bat Man Nymph orange/brown: #8 RL Stone; #6 J.J. Special #6 Coffey Bugger; #4 Bad Boy #  10 Copper/Pearl Zonker

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

There is a slight hint of fall in the air.

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

There is a slight hint of fall in the air.  In fact I broke out the waders yesterday and you will need them today.  The overcast weather has produced some fantastic dry fly fishing.  We have Tricos, big PMD’s and some baetis out there right now.  We did well with a #12 mahogany cripple yesterday  and #10 Rocky Mountain Mint.  The streamer fishing has started to pick up just like it should with the cooler overcast weather.  Small flying ant’s have also been getting fish on the surface.  Great flows and good fishing right now on the Big Hole.  Our Big Hole River guides have been fishing the Divide sections and also down to Notch bottom.

Client Rob Ware with a nice Big Hole Brown

Flies:  #12 Chubby Chernobyl Yellow/Purple/Black; #10 Purple Haze; #16 PMD Cripple; #16 Rocky Mountain Mint, #18 Trico Spinner, #18 Trico Comparadun, #10 Pat’s Stone #12 Red Copper John #16 Bat Man Nymph orange/brown: #8 RL Stone; #6 J.J. Special #6 Coffey Bugger; #4 Bad Boy #  10 Copper/Pearl Zonker

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

Beaverhead River Montana Fishing Report

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

Fishing has been tough on the Beaverhead.  The reservoir turned over and the river is off color.  The flows are also dropping since the reservoir is only 36% full.  We have had ok trico and PMD spinner fishing in the slick.  Once you get below high bridge the hatches are bleak.  If you are willing to wade fish the runs and keep changing flies you will get some nice fish to eat.  We are keeping a close eye on the river and once it clears up our guides will be on it.  Dave Shevokas caught this beautiful Beaverhead Rainbow the other day below High Bridge.

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

Big Hole River Fly Fishing Report

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

Heavy rain over the last 4 days has the river on a nice bump in flows.  The river has remained clear and fishing well above Melrose.  Below Melrose a couple creeks have put the river off color.  The clarity below Melrose has improved this morning and should fish fine today below Melrose.  We have Trico’s hatching in the morning and then we are moving to hoppers, Ant’s and Beetles in the afternoon.  Nymphs that have been working are #10 girdle bugs, #16 Red Copper John’s, #18 Zebra Midges, #16 Batman nymphs.  Still no Spruce Moth’s, it is looking like we will not have a Spruce Moth hatch this year on the Big Hole River.  Time to get your hard boat back out.  The flows are fantastic on the Big Hole.

Flies:  #10 Chubby Chernobyl Yellow/Purple/Black; #8 Rogue Stone golden, #10 Purple Haze; #16 PMD Cripple; #16 Rocky Mountain Mint, #18 Trico Spinner, #18 Trico Comparadun, #10 Pat’s Stone #12 Red Copper John #16 Bat Man Nymph orange/brown: #8 RL Stone; #6 J.J. Special #6 Coffey Bugger; #4 Bad Boy #  10 Copper/Pearl Zonker

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

Big Hole River August Fishing Report

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

Fishing remains good on the Big Hole River.  The hatches are a bit in a transition period on the Big Hole River.  PMD’s are waning and we are moving into Trico’s and Hoppers.  We are starting to see Trico’s on the lower Big Hole River and below Melrose.  Hopper fishing has also started to pick up on the lower Big Hole River.  Hatches in the Maiden Rock Canyon have been bleak.  We have done very well on nymphs in the Canyon but dry fly fishing has been poor.  Look for the dry fly fishing to pick up this week.  We should see more trico’s around and the hoppers are starting to bounce around the grassy banks.  We have not seen any Spruce Moth’s yet.  If we are going to get a Spruce Moth hatch we should see them in the next ten days.  Our Big Hole River Guides will will keep you posted.

A lower Big Hole River Rainbow

Flies:  #10 Chubby Chernobyl Yellow/Purple/Black; #8 Rogue Stone golden, #10 Purple Haze; #16 PMD Cripple; #16 Rocky Mountain Mint, #18 Trico Spinner, #18 Trico Comparadun, #10 Pat’s Stone #12 Red Copper John #16 Bat Man Nymph orange/brown: #8 RL Stone; #6 J.J. Special #6 Coffey Bugger; #4 Bad Boy #  10 Copper/Pearl Zonker

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

Beaverhead River Montana Fishing Report

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

The Beaverhead River continues to impress.  We have great hatches of PMD’s, Yellow Sallies and Caddis.  You will have pods of fish rising to PMD’s in the morning and Yellow Sallies throughout the afternoon.  The Caddis fishing in the evening is crazy good right now.  Nymphing has been very good throughout the day with Split Back PMD’s and Trigger nymphs.  Mustang Sally Nymphs and Kyle’s Sallies have been fishing well.  Flows remain excellent and the fish are healthy and putting up some serious tugs on our clients lines.

Happy Clients and big fish on the Beaverhead River right now

Flies: #18 Split Back PMD, #16 Soft Hackle Sow Bug, #18 Pink Ray Charles, #18 Mustang Sallie, #18 Kyle’s Sallie, #18 Larimer Sallie, #18 PMD Comparadun, #16 Stimulator  #18 Micro Mayfly, #4 Black Sculpzilla, #6 Sparkle Minnow

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

Big Hole River Montana Fishing Report

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

We are back to clear blue skies and the fishing continues to be very good.  We have PMD’s, Yellow Sallies, Nocturnal Stone flies and caddis hatching.  Your best dry fly fishing with the clear skies will be in the morning with PMD’s.  Mid day we have been doing very well in the riffle runs on #8 Pat’s Stones and #14 Copper John’s and Batman Nymphs.  We have a nice cool down from the summer heat tomorrow.  The Big Hole River flows remain excellent and our guides have been coming back each day with great success.

Scott Lewis with a nice 20 inch brown caught on the Big Hole Yesterday

Flies:  #10 Chubby Chernobyl Yellow/Purple/Black; #8 Rogue Stone golden, #10 Purple Haze; #16 PMD Cripple; #10 Rocky Mountain Mint, #10 Pat’s Stone #12 Red Copper John #16 Bat Man Nymph orange/brown: #8 RL Stone; #6 J.J. Special #6 Coffey Bugger; #4 Bad Boy #  10 Copper/Pearl Zonker

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

Beaverhead River Montana Fishing Report

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

Fishing has been wonderful on the Beaverhead.  We have Yellow Sallies, PMD’s and caddis hatching on the Beaverhead River.  Our Beaverhead River guides have been doing great on dry flies.  You can sit on pods of fish eating PMD’s in the slick or fish a single yellow Sallie dry fly below High Bridge and stay hooked up.  Nymphing has been solid on Split Back PMD’s and Mustang Sallies.  Flows remain at about 400cfs out of the dam.  The fish are chowing down and fattening up.

Flies: #18 Split Back PMD, #16 Soft Hackle Sow Bug, #18 Pink Ray Charles, #18 Mustang Sallie, #18 Kyle’s Sallie, #18 Larimer Sallie, #18 PMD Comparadun, #16 Stimulator  #18 Micro Mayfly, #4 Black Sculpzilla, #6 Sparkle Minnow

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