Big Hole River Fly Fishing Report
Latest Big Hole River Reports
- 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
- Big Hole Fishing Report
The Big Hole fishing report has been fantastic lately. We have PMD’s, caddis, yellow sallies and Golden Stones hatching on the river. You will find trout eating dries throughout the day and the dropper fishing has been flat out fantastic. Fish have been feeding in the fast riffles mid day. We have done well with golden stone patterns and PMD dries and nymphs. Streamer anglers have been crushing fish in the riffles with sculpin patterns and minnow imitations. The overcast damp weather should continue to serve up great dry fly opportunities. We have been floating the Jerry Creek section, Divide into Maiden Rock section and the lower Big Hole sections. Summer is here and it’s your time to get out and fish.
Recommended Flies:
- Chubby Chernobyl #10 (yellow, purple, tan)
- Purple Craze #12
- Headlight Yellow Sallie #12
- PMD Comparadun #16
- Pearl Lightning Bug #12
- Pat’s Stone (Black/Brown) #8
- Jig Thread Frenchie #12
- Mini Loop Sculpin #6
- Lil’ Kim #6 (Gold, Copper)
- Sparkle Minnow (Sculpin) #6
- Salmonflies On The Big Hole
The Salmonflies on the Big Hole River are here! The arrival of the Western Tanagers on the banks of the Big Hole always signals the arrival of the stoneflies. The famed Big Hole Salmonfly hatch should be fantastic this year. We have seen adult Salmonflies from Glen up to Melrose. The next significant warm up will move the hatch into the Maiden Rock Canyon. The river flows have been dropping due to the cooler temperatures, currently the flow is 2,290cfs in Melrose. The trout below Melrose are keyed into the Salmonfly dries and you will find egg layers in the afternoons. Above Melrose we are having productive streamer fishing and nymphing on salmonflies. When we turn over rocks in the canyon you will find the stonefly nymphs ten feet off the banks. I predict by the weekend the hatch will move into the Maiden Rock Canyon. It’s time to grab your buddies and throw your foam flies tight to the willows and hold on for some dry fly action. We always see some fantastic trout caught on dries this time of the year.
We are open 7:00am – 6:00pm daily
Recommended Flies:
- Cat Puke Salmonfly #4
- Chubby Norman #6
- Salmonfly Half Down #4
- Water Walker #4 Black/orange
- Pat’s Stone #4 (Black/orange)
- Dungeon (Black #4
- Circus Peanut (Black) #6
- Jig Slum Lord (Black/Brown) #6