Big Hole River Fishing Report

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We have seen peak flows on the Big Hole River this week from runoff. So what does that mean? Salmonflies will be here soon, in fact any day now we will see the big bugs below Melrose. Flows have dropped below 5,000cfs at the Melrose gauge. Once the Melrose gauge gets below 4,000cfs your typical willow lines and banks will be fishable. Water temperatures are right in line for the salmonfly nymphs to be moving near the banks. We have been out the last few days below Melrose and we are picking up fish on salmonfly nymphs. Any day now we will be throwing massive foam flies into the willows and banks expecting explosive eats on the surface. Once the hatch starts we will let you know. Streamers and nymphs are the name of the game right.

2020 Salmonfly Fest has been canceled due to the risk of Covid-19. We are going to be having some great raffle items to help celebrate the annual event. Stay tuned for raffle items coming this week announced on instagram and on our fishing reports page.

COVID-19 Phase 2 Social Distancing and Sanitization Shop Regulations

In accordance with the directives of both the State of Montana and Silver Bow County, below are the rules for entering the fly shop

  1. No customers with COVID-19 symptoms may enter the fly shop
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  8. Restrooms will temporarily be unavailable to the public
  9. Fishing Licenses have to be purchased online. Click Here to purchase
  10. Credit Card only Purchases.

We have a Pick-Up window for customers that would prefer doing take-out orders

Thank you for your cooperation. Together, we will make it through these difficult times

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#4 Smokin’ Mirrors
#4 Sparkle Minnow
#4 Little Kim Copper
#4 Pat’s Stone (Orange/Brown) (Black)
#6 Flash minnow
#8 Chubby Chernobyl (UV) (Gold) (Purple)
#12 X Caddis

#12 Purple Rooster
#12 Red Copper John
#12 Silver Lightning Bug
#12 Bloom’s Caddis
#14 Purple Haze
#1 Dungeon (Yellow) (Black/Purple)

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9/13/2019 Big Hole River Fishing Report – Fall feels great!

by sunriseflyshop

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September 13th, 2019 – Big Hole River Fishing Report – Flows up, fish happy.

Apologies for the tardiness on a river update, we have been cranking away with lots of activity. After our first blast of fall weather last weekend, we are now back into a more comfortable flow on the Big Hole. Anglers on foot are still getting around easily, and the floaters, especially the raft community are happy as well. Hard boats are best suited Maiden Rock down at the moment.

Blue winged olives are beginning, and reports indicate that in the right spot, at the right time there are good trout looking up. Keep an eye on foamy areas below riffles and runs. Mahoghany duns have also started. The fall weather in the forecast will have those mayflies intensifying river wide. Dry fly anglers will want to check the river out upstream of the canyon for consistency, with sub-surface techniques proving themselves daily on the lower portions of the river.

We have seen fish spread out of the riffles, and into the runs and pools that dot the Big Hole up and down. A stripped streamer still continues to be the best technique for a big brown, and it also allows anglers to cover all the nooks and crannies they like to hide out in. Double dry fly rigs with a modest parachute upfront and little blue wing off the back is going to be a solid rig for the next week or too.

Our fall special offers folks 50% off lodging and $50 off your guide boat when paired together. Minimum two nights, one day guided fishing. October til the season is over. Book now!

Guides, shuttles, and reports. Anytime. 406-835-3474

-Dan Soltau

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#4 Mini Boogie Man – Black
#4 Lil Kim Copper
#1 King Rat
#14 Flashy Frank Purple
#12 Gummy Worm Hot Bead
#12 Fish Finder Worm Burgundy
#12 Rocky Mountain Mint Adams

#18 Sparkle Dun BWO
#18 Psycho May BWO
#18 Missing Link
#14 Quigley Cripple

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It has been a crazy week here on the Big Hole River.

by sunriseflyshop

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It has been a crazy week here on the Big Hole River. Every year we get the spring thaw in the valley and that occurred this week. On Wednesday some major ice jams broke on the upper Big Hole. Currently we are ice free all the way up to Mudd Creek. The Big Hole River had a major flush occur on Wednesday as the ice jams broke, which made a muddy mess on the entire river. When the ice flows broke the river went over 5,000cfs here in Melrose. Currently the river has dropped to a manageable flow of 2,200cfs. A huge improvement has occurred and it will continue to get better. Currently we have around 18 inches of visibility here in Melrose. The river will start to fish this weekend. I don’t think it will be stellar but you will be able to catch a few fish subsurface on nymphs and streamers. Besides low visibility the cold water temperatures will make the fishing tough. We need the temperatures to get into the mid 40’s and currently they are in the upper 30’s. You will find the warmest water conditions around Melrose this weekend for fishing. Accessibility and hazards are too dangerous to float anything above Jerry Creek at the point.

Recommended Flies: #8 San Juan Worm Pink/red/Wine; #4 Yellow Yummy; #4 Sparkle Minnow; #6 Flash Minnow; #8 Prince Nymph; #8 Pat’s Stone

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We have kicked off the 2019 fishing season on the Big Hole ….

by sunriseflyshop

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We have kicked off the 2019 fishing season on the Big Hole with a stellar week of fishing and then the river blew out yesterday and is worse today due to an incredible valley floor snowpack that has been melting. This is by no means the “runoff” for the season but things are not good at the moment. The Maiden Rock gauge and lower river gauges on the Big Hole River are all rising and the river around Melrose has only about a foot of visibility. This is a great time to take a break on the freestone rivers and head to tailwater fisheries. We have trips this week heading up to the Missouri River. Here is a link to guide trips on The Land of The Giants. 

Book Your Spring Special Today! 

Sunrise Fly Shop Guide Chris “Romo” Getting after it between guide days

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Big Hole River Fishing Report

Fall fishing on the Big Hole River has been pretty good for us so far this month.

by sunriseflyshop

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Fall fishing on the Big Hole River has been pretty good for us so far this month. River flows are in excellent shape and the trout have been healthy this season. Our fall hatches are winding down for the year. On the warmer afternoons you will find some Blue Winged Olives and mahogany duns. On the cold days you will need to stay subsurface with nymphs and streamers. Your best window of active fish feeding is around 10:00 am to 4:00pm. Darker streamers have been working the best lately for us. Time to get the last couple floats of the year in before winter is here.

Check out our Sunrise fly Shop Lodging Here. Call for availability 406-835-3474

 SIMMS FREESTONE WADERS 20% OFF and select Simms Boots: CALL THE SHOP FOR ORDERING 406-835-3474

Recommended Flies:

#4 Smokin’ Mirrors
#4 Sparkle Minnow
#4 Little Kim Copper
#6 Pat’s Stone
#6 Flash minnow
#8 Chubby Chernobyl (UV) (Gold) (Purple)

#12 Mahogany Dun
#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

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Big Hole River Fishing Report

Fall is in full swing on the Big Hole River.

by sunriseflyshop

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Fall is in full swing on the Big Hole River. This is an amazing time of year. We are currently seeing the peak foliage of the cottonwoods lining the banks. If you are lucky you can see elk along some of the Big Hole River meadows, moose and plenty of water foul. As far as fishing, we have some of our best days this time of year. The brown trout are packing on the pounds before the spawn. Streamers are working in full force. Flash minnows, J.J.’s, Little Kim’s and Home Invaders are all doing well with the streamer fisherman. Some of the warmer overcast days we have had Blue Winged olives and mahogany duns keeping the dry fly enthusiasts happy. Nymphing has been active with Pat’s stones, micro mayflies and psycho mayflies.

Check out our Sunrise fly Shop Lodging Here. Call for availability 406-835-3474

 SIMMS FREESTONE WADERS 20% OFF: CALL THE SHOP FOR ORDERING 406-835-3474

Recommended Flies:

#4 Smokin’ Mirrors
#4 Little Kim Copper
#4 Sparkle Minnow
#6 Pat’s Stone
#6 Flash minnow
#6 Pat’s Stone
#8 Chubby Chernobyl (UV) (Gold) (Purple)

#12 Mahogany Dun
#12 Bloom’s Caddis
#12 Purple Rooster
#12 Silver Lightning Bug
#12 Red Copper John
#14 Purple Haze
#16 Split Winged BWO
#16 Blue Winged Olive Comparadun

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Big Hole River Fishing Report

Fishing has been a bit all over the board lately.

by sunriseflyshop

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Fishing has been a bit all over the board lately. The clear sunny days have been tough, but the overcast damp days have had the larger brown trout on the prowl. You will find some hatches of Blue Winged Olives and Mahogany Duns lately. The streamer fisherman have done well during the low light times. Streamers of choice have been J.J’s, Flash Minnows in olive and black, Little Kim’s and tan Home Invaders. the lower Big Hole below Melrose is seeing a nice bump in flows. Fall fishing is here and it is time to get your streamer box out and enjoy the last six weeks of trout fishing season on the wonderful Big Hole River.

Check out our Sunrise fly Shop Lodging Here. Call for availability 406-835-3474

Recommended Flies:

#4 Smokin’ Mirrors
#4 Sparkle Minnow
#4 Little Kim Copper
#6 Pat’s Stone
#6 Flash minnow
#8 Chubby Chernobyl (UV) (Gold) (Purple)

#12 Mahogany Dun
#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

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Big Hole River Fishing Report

Pick your bugs, pick your float and you will find what your looking for on the Big Hole River this week.

by sunriseflyshop

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Pick your bugs, pick your float and you will find what your looking for on the Big Hole River this week. We have hatches of Golden Stones, PMD’s, Yellow Sallies and Caddis right now on the Big Hole River. Water flows are remaining above historic average. Dry fly fishing has been fantastic the last few days on the Big Hole. Streamer fishing has been solid, with darker colors working the best. Sumer fishing is here and it’s time to get out and enjoy Southwest Montana.

Check out our Sunrise fly Shop Lodging Here. Call for availability 406-835-3474

Anne with a nice Big Hole trout caught on a Golden Stone dry fly

Recommended Flies: #8 Chubby Chernobyl (UV) (Gold) (Purple) ; #10 Purple Haze; #12 Bloom’s Caddis; #10 Rogue Golden; #Rollin’ Stone Sally; #12 Purple Rooster;#6 Pat’s Stone; #12 Silver Lightning Bug; #12 Red Copper John; #4 Smokin’ Mirrors; #6 Flash minnow; #4 Little Kim Copper; #4 Sparkle Minnow

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Salmonfly Hatch Update

by sunriseflyshop

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Fishing has been excellent on the Big Hole. The Salmonflies are here and the fish are keyed into the dry flies. We Have had good dry fly fishing from above Jerry creek all the way down to the stretches below Melrose. During the heat of the day we have had the best dry fly fishing. In the morning start with a streamer or a stone fly nymph below the Salmonfly dry. You definitely want to get your flies tight to the banks and willows to tempt the fish to come to the surface. Besides the Salmonflies we have hatches of golden stones, caddis and PMD’s.

Sunrise Fly Shop lodging is completed: Call for your next Big Hole lodging reservation 406-835-3474 

Salmonflies on the willows in the Maiden Rock Canyon of the Big Hole today

Recommended Flies: # Cat Puke; #4 Rogue Stone; #10 Gray Drake; #12 X Caddis; #4 Pat’s Stone (Brown/Orange); #8 San Juan Worm; #6 Flash Minnow (Olive); #6 Smokin’ Mirrors (Black); #6 Sparkle Minnow; #4 Little Kim; #6 Screamer (Yellow) (Olive)

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We are still dealing with high water on the Big Hole.

by sunriseflyshop

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We are still dealing with high water on the Big Hole. Flows around Melrose are close to 10,000cfs. Flows on the upper Big Hole, which is where we are fishing daily are around 5,500cfs. The clarity on the upper Big Hole remains excellent @ around 2 feet. You will find hatches of caddis, march browns, ands grey drakes. The best fishing is sub-suface with streamers and san juan worms. Float fishing is not recommended below the wise river. We are floating all the stretches above the wise river.

Stan with as trout from the Big Hole this week

Recommended Flies: #10 Gray Drake; #12 X Caddis; #8 Mr. Beam; #10 Olive Chubby; #8 Bullet Head Skwalla; #10 Pat’s Stone (Olive/Brown); #8 San Juan Worm; #6 Flash Minnow (Olive); #6 Smokin’ Mirrors (Black); #6 Sparkle Minnow; #4 Little Kim; #6 Screamer (Yellow) (Olive)

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