Spring Special On The Big Hole River

It is time to book your Spring Special on the Big Hole River. We are gearing up for Spring fishing soon and you can be the first anglers to have banner days fishing for hungry trout on the Big Hole River. Our Southwest Montana rivers are prime as April 1st approaches. You will find Skwalas hatching in April on the Big Hole and the opportunity at catching one of your largest trout of the season. Our rivers are uncrowded and fish are eager to be fooled by your fly.

The Spring Special package included lodging with us and guided fishing. Meals are not included but the Hitchin’ Post Restaurant is right next to our shop for your breakfast and dinner. Flies, and lunch are included in the cost of the package deal. Contact us today to book your trip.

  • Big Hole River Spring Hatches
  • Skwala Stoneflies
  • Mother’s Day Caddis
  • Blue Winged Olives
  • Streamers

Big Hole River Fishing Report

[eye_row data_width=”container” data_padding_row=”0,15px,0,15px” data_margin_row=”75px,0″][eye_column data_width=”7″][eye_text]

It is terrestrial season on the Big Hole River.  We are having some Spruce Moth activity from Jerry Creek down to Divide. Trico’s have picked up in the mornings and hopper activity has kept our rods bent in the afternoons. Ant patterns are also working well in the afternoon. We are also throwing streamers in the morning hours with success in the deeper pools and shallow riffles.

The recent heat wave has the Big Hole on “Hoot-Owl” restrictions on certain sections of the River. Read in detail below to find out where the “Hoot-Owl” closures are located.

“Hoot-Owl” restrictions prohibit fishing during the hottest times of the day. A hoot-owl restriction prohibiting fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight. the Hoot-owl restriction is currently in effect in the below locations on the Big Hole.

-The Big Hole River From North Fork of the Big Hole River to Dickie Bridge west of Wise River, and from Maidenrock fishing Access Site (FWP site) to the Beaverhead River.

The section that is open to all day fishing with no restrictions is from Dickie Bridge on the Big Hole down to Maiden Rock (FWP) access site. If you need clarification of this location please call the shop 406-412-3463.

Please purchase your Fishing Licenses online. Click Here to purchase

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
  2. Only 3 customers may be in the fly shop at one time
  3. Mandatory to practice 6-foot social distancing guidelines while in the fly shop
  4. All customers must sanitize their hands using our provided sanitizer before entering the shop
  5. You are welcome to try on any clothing, but please let us know so that we can sanitize the product when you are finished
  6. Masks are required to be worn in the shop
  7. Restrooms will temporarily be unavailable to the public
  8. Fishing Licenses have to be purchased online. Click Here to purchase 

Check out our web store for the latest hopper patterns and gear. We have the new Thunder Thigh hopper,  Ross Reels Gunnison 5/6 in stock and many items from Abel, Winston, Scott Fly Rods and Patagonia.

[/eye_text][eye_text]

#12 Thunder Thigh Hopper
#10 Morrish Hopper
#4 Little Kim Copper
#10 Pat’s Stone
#6 Flash minnow
#10 Chubby Chernobyl (UV) (Gold) (Purple)
#16 Comparadun Yellow

#16 Power Ant
#12 Red Copper John
#12 Silver Lightning Bug
#12 Bloom’s Caddis
#14 Purple Haze

[/eye_text][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”5″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”A nice Cutthroat taken on a grasshopper pattern “]2588|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_8860-1024×881.jpeg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row][eye_row data_width=”container” data_padding_row=”50px,15px,0,15px” data_margin_row=”0,0″ data_equal_height=”true”][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Browse our hopper patterns on our web store ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/flies/dry-flies/”]2568|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/7646E862-CCA1-4C80-AD62-330939CAAF85-1024×1024.jpg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Check out the Ross Reels Gunnison 5/6 ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/rods-reels-lines-nets/fly-reels/”]2576|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_8772.jpg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Utilize our store pick up window for shuttles, flies and your favorite merchandise “]2476|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Pick-Up-Window-1024×978.jpg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Big Hole River Fishing Report

[eye_row data_width=”container” data_padding_row=”0,15px,0,15px” data_margin_row=”75px,0″][eye_column data_width=”7″][eye_text]

The scorching heat has taken a toll on our rivers lately. We are currently needing a cool down on all of our rivers ASAP. Currently, we are having hatches of Trico’s, some PMD’s and caddis. Swinging streamers and soft hackles in the riffles have been working well for us and has been producing some really nice fish. We are having some fish chow hoppers on the grassy agriculture banks below melrose. Our best hopper patters have been low profile leggy creatures. The recent heat wave has the Big Hole on “Hoot-Owl” restrictions on certain sections of the River. Read in detail below to find out where the “Hoot-Owl” closes are located.

“Hoot-Owl” restrictions prohibit fishing during the hottest times of the day. A hoot-owl restriction prohibiting fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight. the Hoot-owl restriction is currently in effect in the below locations on the Big Hole

-The Big Hole River From North Fork of the Big Hole River to Dickie Bridge west of Wise River, and from Maidenrock fishing Access Site (FWP site) to the Beaverhead River.

The section that is open to all day fishing with no restrictions is from Dickie Bridge on the Big Hole down to Maiden Rock (FWP) access site. If you need clarification of this location please call the shop 406-835-3474.

Please purchase your Fishing Licenses online. Click Here to purchase

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
  2. Only 3 customers may be in the fly shop at one time
  3. Mandatory to practice 6-foot social distancing guidelines while in the fly shop
  4. All customers must sanitize their hands using our provided sanitizer before entering the shop
  5. You are welcome to try on any clothing, but please let us know so that we can sanitize the product when you are finished
  6. Masks are required to be worn in the shop
  7. Restrooms will temporarily be unavailable to the public
  8. Fishing Licenses have to be purchased online. Click Here to purchase 

Check out our web store for the latest hopper patterns and gear. We have the new Thunder Thigh hopper,  Ross Reels Gunnison 5/6 in stock and many items from Abel, Winston, Scott Fly Rods and Patagonia.

[/eye_text][eye_text]

#Mini Loop Sculpin
#8 McCunne’s Sculpin
#4 Little Kim Copper
#8 Pat’s Stone (Tan/Brown)
#18 Trico Spinner
#10 Chubby Chernobyl (UV) (Gold) (Pink)
#16 Tilt Wing PMD

#12 Purple Rooster
#16 Jig Lightning Bug
#16 Jig CDC Pheasant Tail
#12 Bloom’s Caddis
#14 Purple Haze
#18 High Vis Trico Spinner

[/eye_text][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”5″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Sunrise guide Lee Coyle finding a great fish on the Big Hole recently “]2575|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_8771.jpg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row][eye_row data_width=”container” data_padding_row=”50px,15px,0,15px” data_margin_row=”0,0″ data_equal_height=”true”][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Plenty of great hopper patterns on our web store ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/thunder-thighs-hopper.html”]2568|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/7646E862-CCA1-4C80-AD62-330939CAAF85-1024×1024.jpg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Browse our T shirts on our web store ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/apparel/shirts/page2.html”]2550|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IMG_8458-745×1024.jpg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Ross Reels Gunnison 5/6 in stock on our web store ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/rods-reels-lines-nets/fly-reels/”]2576|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/IMG_8772.jpg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Big Hole River Fishing Report

[eye_row data_width=”container” data_margin_row=”75px,0″ data_padding_row=”0,15px,0,15px”][eye_column data_width=”7″][eye_text]

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
  2. Only 3 customers may be in the fly shop at one time
  3. Mandatory to practice 6-foot social distancing guidelines while in the fly shop
  4. All customers must sanitize their hands using our provided sanitizer before entering the shop
  5. Before touching any flies, please get a pair of rubber gloves from an employee
  6. You are welcome to try on any clothing, but please let us know so that we can sanitize the product when you are finished
  7. Please wear a facial mask
  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

[/eye_text][eye_text]

#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)

[/eye_text][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”5″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Plenty of Salmonflies in Stock. Order online or stop in for your next purchase ” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com/flies/dry-flies/”]2514|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/99915169-9A1B-4BF9-B2C5-8BAE68FD086D-1024×1024.jpg|large[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row][eye_row data_width=”container” data_equal_height=”true” data_margin_row=”0,0″ data_padding_row=”50px,15px,0,15px”][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right”]1478|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/gallery-one.gif|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” link=”https://shop.sunriseflyshop.com”]2213|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/online-shop.jpg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”4″][eye_image align=”right” caption=”Summer is here and it is time to go fishing “]1889|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/blog01.jpg|full[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row]

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

[eye_row data_width=”container” data_margin_row=”75px,0″ data_padding_row=”0,15px,0,15px”][eye_column data_width=”7″][eye_text]

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

[/eye_text][eye_text]

#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

[/eye_text][/eye_column][eye_column data_width=”5″][eye_image align=”none”]1816|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Beav-5-2011-300×200.jpg|medium[/eye_image][/eye_column][/eye_row]

Fish On! In the Big Hole River

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

Flows on the Big Hole are starting to come up daily due to some snowmelt but not enough to put the fishing down. Fishing has been pretty darn good lately even with the slight bump in flows. Clarity remains around 4 feet. We have some skwalas around and March Brown mayflies. Our Big Hole River guides have been fishing on the upper Big Hole, Canyon stretches and the lower Big Hole. All three sections of the Big Hole has been fishing well. Water temperatures are hitting the magic number of 50 degrees lately, which has gotten the streamer junkies excited. We have done well on black, olive, and tan streamers. As we all know, conditions this time of year can change quick. Give us a call for up to date information. 406-835-3474.

Book your Spring Special fishing package today! 

[/eye_text][eye_image align=”center”]810|https://www.sunriseflyshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/David-Leta-300×225.jpg|medium[/eye_image][eye_text]

Recommended Flies: #10 Water Walker Olive; #8 Mr. Beam; #12 Parachute Adam’s; #8 T.J. Hooker; #8 Pat’s Stone; #12 Prince Nymph; #10 Squirmy Worm; #8 San Juan Worm Pink/Red #6 Smokin’ Mirrors Black; #6 Flash Minnow Yellow; #6 She Deamon;  Sex Dungeon Black/Yellow/White

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

Big Hole River Fishing Report

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

During last week we saw some colder temperatures that stopped some of the spring snowmelt and we saw the river drop back down near historical averages. With the drop in flows the visibility improved and we started having some really good fishing. We started seeing a few skwalas flying around, and as a result  fish were coming up for a dry fly. Our best fishing for the last few days has come while using a dry/dropper with a Skwala dry and a San Juan worm. The forecast for the next week is calling for some warmer daytime temperatures and as a result we might see the river start to bump. Hopefully any increases will be minimal and we will continue to see good fishing on the Big Hole. Give us a call at the shop to get the most up to date report on the river condition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Time to kick off the 2019 fishing season on the Big Hole River.

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

Time to kick off the 2019 fishing season on the Big Hole River. The shop will officially open April 1st and we are running shuttles tomorrow if you need one just give us a call. We got out and fished and had pretty good success below Melrose during the afternoon heat of the day hours. Mainly subsurface on Skwala nymphs and streamers moving very slow in deep buckets. We have lots of ice on the banks and most of the sections are still not floatable due to ice shelves on the boat ramps and snow in the boat ramps. Currently the only sections we can float are Melrose to Brownes Bridge and Jerry creek to George Grant (Dewey). As the thaw continues we will keep you up to date on when more sections open up to float fishing. Lots of new gear and flies are coming in daily and some remodeling is going on in the fly shop. Our lodging is open and currently taking reservations.

 Some April/May dates are still open for out Spring Special. Details Here. 

Guide trips are heading out tomorrow!

Give us a call for the most up to date information on boat ramps and fishing reports 406-835-3474

Eric caught this nice Brown below Melrose a few days ago

Recommended Flies: #10 Pats Stone Olive/brown, #8 San Juan worm; #16 Shop Vac; #18 Green Machine; #6 J.J. Special; #6 Flash Minnow Olive; #6 Sparkle Minnow

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