Big Hole River Fly Fishing Report
Latest Big Hole River Reports
- Spruce Moth Hatch On The Big Hole
The Spruce Moth hatch on the Big Hole has been heating up lately. The hatch is between Jerry Creek and Maiden Rock. You can find fish rising to the natural moths in the morning hours and into the afternoon. We have had fish in the 14-20 inch range rising to the Spruce Moth. Tricos are also hatching on the river but the fish seem to be more keyed into the moth lately. Some of the best technical dry fly fishing is had during this time period.
The nymph anglers have been doing well with #14 Spanish bullets, and small stone fly nymphs. Trout have been taking hoppers in the afternoon hours below Melrose. The river is easy to wade right now at these lower flows and the float anglers are still getting down the river in the Jerry Creek and Maiden Rock zones.
Sections 2-4 of the Big Hole River (from the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River to the confluence with the Beaverhead River) are open to fishing from Midnight until 2:00 p.m. for any other up to date FWP fishing restrictions that have been placed on many Montana rivers please check out this link.
Recommended Flies:
- Spanish Bullet Black #14
- Spruce Moth #12
- Widow Maker Moth #12
- Panty Dropper Hopper #10
- Thread Frenchie #16
- Pat’s Stone #10 (Black/Brown)
- Duracell Copper Top #16
- Big Hole River Hoot Owl Restrictions
Fishing has been good despite the Hoot Owl restrictions that have been implemented on the Entire Big Hole River These restrictions went into effect July 17th. Hoot Owl restrictions mean that fishing is prohibited from 2:00 p.m. to midnight. We are doing guide trips from 7:00 am – 2:00 pm on the Big Hole and the fishing has remained good for our guides. This latest weekly report, we have seen this 22 inch brown and a 23 inch brown caught on our guide trips this week!
The Big Hole has nocturnal Stone flies hatching, caddis, and some PMD’s are around in the morning. Terrestrials and tricos are our next big hatch that will be starting soon. The streamer anglers are doing well in the morning hours in the shallow riffles with sculpin patterns. We are floating the Dewey Canyon and Maiden Rock Canyon stretches lately on our guide trips. It is time to get out early and adjust your fishing hours.
Recommended Flies:
- Spanish Bullet #14 (Black) (Olive)
- Thread Frenchie #14 (Olive)
- Pat’s Stone #10 (Black)
- Chubby Chernobyl Tan/pink #10
- PMD Parachute #14
Sections 2-5 of the Big Hole River (from the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River to the confluence with the Beaverhead River) are open to fishing from Midnight until 2:00 p.m. for any other up to date FWP fishing restrictions that have been placed on many Montana rivers please check out this link.
- Big Hole River Report
The Big Hole River Report for July 11th has had plenty of happy anglers. You will find PMD’s, Caddis, Yellow Sallies, Drakes and Nocturnal Stoneflies hatching on the river daily. Our best fishing has been from around 7:00 am until around 2:00pm depending on the afternoon warmup. Streamer anglers have also had smiles lately. the fast shallow riffles are full of sculpin lately and the fish will key into your wounded streamer pattern mimicking them. PMD emerges in the riffles are hanging fish on the line and nocturnal stonefly imitations. Flows are low for this time of the year but you can get your boat down the river in the Jerry Creek Sections, Divide, Maiden Rock, Salmonfly and Glen sections. We are not floating above Jerry Creek due to lower flows.
From the North Fork of the Big Hole down to Notch Bottom (Tony Shoonen) Access site is open with NO restrictions. if you need help understanding any of the Hoot Owl Closures in section I and IV please give us a call (406) 835-3474
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Big Hole River – Section 1 – from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River starting July 10.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Big Hole River – Section 5 – from Tony Schoonen FAS to the confluence with the Beaverhead River starting July 10.
Recommended Flies:
- Jig Frenchie #16
- Pat’s Stone Olive/brown #10
- Spanish Bullet #14
- Chubby Chernobyl #10
- PMD Comparadun #16
- Purple Craze #16
- Mini Loop Sculpin #6
- Lil Kim #6
- Dungeon Olive #6