Big Hole River Spring Update

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

Warm weather on tap today.  It is supposed to hit 70 degrees this afternoon.  After the cold week and the warm weather for the next few days the Skwala nymphs should start moving towards the banks.  We have gotten some dumb fish on top with Skwalas but it is still early.  We have been fishing dry dropper rigs all week and we have done very well on the Pat’s stone dropper and worm as a dropper.  Occasionally we have had eats on top but we are still not in full swing on the Big Hole River skwala hatch.  Your best window of opportunity right now is from about 11:00 am till 5:00 pm.  Streamers have also been working for our Big Hole River guides.  You will need to dead drift the streamers for your best results since the water is in the upper 30’s to lower 40’s.  Flows are stable at the moment and the visibility is around 2 1/2 feet.

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

Big Hole Spring Fishing Special

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

It is time to shake off the cabin fever and enjoy some Big Hole River spring fishing. Our season kicks off soon and our Big Hole River guides are ready to take you fishing.  We will have hatches of Skwala stoneflies, and Blue Winged Olives in April and May.  Every year some of our largest fish are caught in April and May.  Timing of the Skwala hatch on the Big Hole is from April 1st – May 15th.  Spring is a time of change, so you have to monitor river flows, temperatures, and weather conditions to catch the elusive Skwala.  Experiencing a fly fishing vacation in Montana to catch this hatch is not to be missed.  This is a great time to experience trout feeding with fury, as they eat their first stoneflies of the season.

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

Perfect Spring Conditions

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

The Big Hole River is in prime condition and is fishing amazingly well.  Even though we haven’t seen a lot of adult Skwallas, the fish are looking up and eating Skwalla patterns on the surface.  And if you are willing to drop a nymph off of your dry fly, the action becomes even more intense.  If that wasn’t enough, fish are also chasing yellow and brown streamers.  Spring fishing couldn’t be better!

Below is a fish that our client Woody caught yesterday.

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

Fishing Well in the Afternoons

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

Fishing has remained pretty good underneath the surface.  The morning fishing has been slow.  With the cold nights the fish seem to be getting active around 11:00 a.m. and the river continues to fish well till about 5:30 p.m.  Flows have been fluctuating around 550cfs.  We have had some nemouras hatching and midges hatching during the afternoon hours.  The nymphs of choice have been San Juan Worms, Pat’s Stones and midges.  The Skwala hatch has not started yet.  It looks like we will get a warm up early next week, which will get the Skwala nymphs moving towards the banks.  Our best fishing has been below Melrose in either the Melrose to Brownes section or Brownes to Notch sections. Stay in touch with more Big Hole River fishing reports and Big Hole River Skwala hatch updates.

Flies: #8 San Juan Worm; #10 Pat’s Stone Olive/Brown: #8 RL Stone; #18 Zebra Midge; #6 J.J. Special #4 Coffey Bugger;

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

Cold temperatures are in the forecast for the rest of the week.

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

Cold temperatures are in the forecast for the rest of the week.  This past weekend we had one nice warm day that tempted people to get the dust off the boat.  High temperatures the rest of the week are in the 30’s with some snow in the forecast.  The Big Hole is floatable from Melrose down stream.  Water temperatures are in the lower 30’s and the trout are in their winter holes.  Nymphing the deep tail outs is going to be the best tactic right now.  Nymphs of choice are Pat’s Stones in size #8 , San Juan Worms, and midges.  Our Big Hole River guides are ready for the Spring Skwala fishing in April.  When reports improve we will let you know. The ice is off the Glen gauge and we are recording a Big Hole River flow of 652 cfs in Glen.  

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

Big Hole River Sipper

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

August is living up to our predicted expectations, big fish on dry flies.  This 28 inch 9lb. brown was taken on a dry fly on the Big Hole River!  This image sums up the kind of fishing right now on the Big Hole.  We have been fishing small attractor patterns in the morning and than hoppers and Chernobyl’s in the afternoons.  The current weather pattern has been favorable for good fishing.  We have had sunny cool mornings with overcast afternoons lately.  It is prime time on Southwest Montana Rivers; get out here while the catching is hot.

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