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Big Hole River - April 11th, 2005
supplied by: The Stonefly Inn
FISHING: Great
Stream Flow and Height [click here]
Montana Fishing Guide Big Hole [click here]
Early season on the Big Hole may not be everyone's vision of classic Montana flyfishing. There are no leaves on the willows - the cobalt skies, warm summer breezes and fluffy cirrus clouds are a month or so away and you'd have to look long and hard to find a grasshopper. And we darn sure aren't wearing shorts and sunscreen.
But man alive, are we catching fish!
The water temps are reaching 50 deg. on most afternoons, the rainbows are thinking about spawning and the browns are moving out of their winter lies in search of food. When I jumped back in the truck yesterday after launching the boat, there was an absolute cloud of midges in the cab - along with a couple adult skwalas that must have blown in from the Bitterroot; after all we aren't supposed to have them on this side of the continental divide.
In a short float, we landed fish on everything we tied on. From size 20 dries to size 2 streamers – and everything in between. I saw Browns sipping midges in 6” of water move 20 feet to eat a bunny leech. Technical, no. Loads of fun, yes.
This early season stuff can make you feel like you have the upper hand on the fish. We all know the cards can be dealt the other way around, but for the time being I am going to enjoy the hand we are dealt.
The reports from our other rivers have been varied; but I haven't heard a bad one in over a week. I can't take it any longer. Spring cleaning is for bad weather days. I am going fishing again in the morning.
See you on the water - Dan “Rooster” Leavens
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Weather and Lunar Phases
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Big Hole River - October 9th, 2004
supplied by: Montana Troutfitters
FISHING: Good
The Flows on the Bighole are 452 C.F.S. The flows have been above average most of the summer and into fall. The water leases have helped out the river greatly and the fall fishing should be outstanding. We have had very few reports come in from the Bighole, so if you want some solitude you may want to get over to the the river. The fall can offer some great fishing on the Bighole with streamers as well as some very good late season hatch activity. I am itching to get over to the river myself and I hope to do so in the next week. I will repost this report when I get some reports and or fish it myself.
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Weather and Lunar Phases
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Big Hole River - September 20th, 2004
supplied by: Montana Troutfitters
FISHING: Good
The Flows on the Bighole at Melrose are above average at 361 C.F.S. There are still some tricos flying around on the river. Psudeocleons and baetis are also starting to hatch throughout the river system. Streamer fishing on the Bighole can be some of the best in the world and if the weather is right stripping big flies can produce a very nice fish. Dry dropper rigs are also very good on the Bighole this time of year and you can have a good number of fish come up to general attractor patterns fished in the seams and along the riffle drop offs throughout the river. This is a great time of year to be on the Bighole as there are very few anglers and the scenery on the river once the leaves start to change color is amazing.
Fly Pattern Suggestions :Trico Thorax #18-22, Trico Spinner #18-22, BH Trico Spinner #18-20, Parachute Pheasant Tail #16-18, Molly Hopper #6-8, Parachute Hopper #6-8Yellow Stimulator #8-12, Madam X #8-10, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Slick Water Caddis #12-14 Parachute Caddis #12-14, BH Mangy Caddis #14-16, Black Lite Brite Caddis #12-14, Hot wire Caddis #12-14, BH Prince #8-12
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Big Hole River - August 21st, 2004
supplied by: Montana Troutfitters
FISHING: Good
The Flows on the Bighole at Melrose are 279 C.F.S. There has been a very nice Trico hatch in the morning with some good activity on hoppers once the trico hatch is done. The better trico fishing has been on the upper reaches of the river near the town of Wise River. You can have some good action near Melrose as well but I prefer to fish the tricos on the slower water above Wise River. Hopper droppers have been good in the afternoon as well as fishing some general attractor patterns in the likely looking spots. Flows have been holding on pretty well due to the purchase of instream flows from the ranchers in the valley to help protect the grayling fishery. If you are going to float the river it is best to use a raft right now because you will hit some rocks and run into some shallow areas on the river.
Fly Pattern Suggestions :Trico Thorax #18-22, Trico Spinner #18-22, BH Trico Spinner #18-20, Parachute Pheasant Tail #16-18, Molly Hopper #6-8, Parachute Hopper #6-8Yellow Stimulator #8-12, Madam X #8-10, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Slick Water Caddis #12-14 Parachute Caddis #12-14, BH Mangy Caddis #14-16, Black Lite Brite Caddis #12-14, Hot wire Caddis #12-14, BH Prince #8-12
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Big Hole River - August 14th, 2004
supplied by: Montana Troutfitters
FISHING: Good
The Flows on the Bighole at Melrose are 244 C.F.S. There has been a very nice Trico hatch in the morning with some good activity on hoppers once the trico hatch is done. The better trico fishing has been on the upper reaches of the river near the town of Wise River. You can have some good action near Melrose as well but I prefer to fish the tricos on the slower water above Wise River. Hopper droppers have been good in the afternoon as well as fishing some general attractor patterns in the likely looking spots. Flows have been holding on pretty well due to the purchase of instream flows from the ranchers in the valley to help protect the grayling fishery. If you are going to float the river it is best to use a raft right now because you will hit some rocks and run into some shallow areas on the river.
Fly Pattern Suggestions :Trico Thorax #18-22, Trico Spinner #18-22, BH Trico Spinner #18-20, Parachute Pheasant Tail #16-18, Molly Hopper #6-8, Parachute Hopper #6-8Yellow Stimulator #8-12, Madam X #8-10, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Slick Water Caddis #12-14 Parachute Caddis #12-14, BH Mangy Caddis #14-16, Black Lite Brite Caddis #12-14, Hot wire Caddis #12-14, BH Prince #8-12
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Big Hole River - August 10th, 2004
supplied by: Montana Troutfitters
FISHING: Good
The Flows at Melrose Montana 330 C.F.S. Trico's are starting to come off in the morning hours. The trico fishing can be very good on the Bighole, however wind will determine how good it is. Hoppers and droppers are the name of the game once the trico's are done. There is a bit of caddis activity in the evening as well. General attractor flies with bead droppers are my favorite way to fish the Bighole. I generally don't get to specific with the fly selection while I am on the Bighole.
Fly Pattern Suggestions :Yellow Stimulator #8-12, Madam X #8-10, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Slick Water Caddis #12-14 Parachute Caddis #12-14, BH Mangy Caddis #14-16, Black Lite Brite Caddis #12-14, Hot wire Caddis #12-14, BH Prince #8-12
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Big Hole River - August 6th, 2004
supplied by: The Stonefly Inn
FISHING: Good
Stream Flow and Height [click here]
Montana Fishing Guide Big Hole [click here]
HOPPER TIME, if I had two words to describe the fishing in Southwest Montana as of late, those would be it. Various patterns have been more effective on certain rivers than others, and if you have been in my boat you know what I am talking about. As much as we like to ignore it, these fish see some flies over the course of the summer, so perhaps try a pattern a bit off the beaten path than the patterns you see in all the shops. There are summer stones amidst the buffet - and some of their patterns imitate a hopper better than your standard parachute hopper thrown by the droves to the banks of our rivers. - that is your tip of the day from the Stonefly Inn.
We are still launching early and late, doing a little nymphing in the mornings, maybe catching a Trico hatch on the Missouri, hit one on the Beav the other morning now that you mention it. We didnt see another boat until 9 oclock, and we already had 6 fish over 20 to hand. Those size 20 rascals are hard to see, thats for sure, but the trout around here prefer to eat them by the mouthfuls rather than one at a time.
We are still seeing afternoon thundershowers on a regular basis, so dont forget your raingear. Albeit a bit windy when they hit, the fishing following the storm has been quite good. Montana is still very green, and there is enough water in all of our rivers to "cover their backs". The next month should provide some awesome pre-fall action on terrestrials.
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Big Hole River - August 1st, 2004
supplied by: Montana Troutfitters
FISHING: Good
The Flows at Melrose Montana are 428 C.F.S. The Bighole is still flowing at a decent level and the fishing has been fair to good. Hatch activity is slowing a bit just as the hopper fishing is starting to heat up. Nymphing will produce some fish if the fish are not looking to the surface. Don't give up on the dry fly fishing if you are not seeing fish rise. General attractors and a parachute adams will still entice some fish to the surface on the Bighole most days. If you get some cloud cover fish a big streamer in either yellow or olive with a fairly slow retreive. Good luck on the river and be sure and check the regulations if you are heading to the Bighole or Beaverhead.
Fly Pattern Suggestions :Yellow Stimulator #8-12, Madam X #8-10, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Slick Water Caddis #12-14 Parachute Caddis #12-14, BH Mangy Caddis #14-16, Black Lite Brite Caddis #12-14, Hot wire Caddis #12-14, BH Prince #8-12
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Big Hole River - July 25th, 2004
supplied by: The Stonefly Inn
FISHING: Good
Stream Flow and Height [click here]
Montana Fishing Guide Big Hole [click here]
The Fishing Factor - July25th, 2004
As we reach the midway point of our summer season our schedule is starting to ease up a bit from the June/July rush. Our tactics are changing a bit, from the gentlemans hours of 9 to 6 in the spring to a bit more aggresive schedule - launching the boat at 0600, being off the water by 2 in the afternoon. Although we are not experiencing the 100+ degree days of summers past, it is still hot. An afternoon/evening float is producing well for us as well - there are plenty of fish looking up as the caddis start moving when the sun goes down. It is a good feeling sliding the boat off the trailer as most of the others are taking out - heading back to the lodge. Evenings are cool, the wildlife (and the fish) are more active and I like it. Summer tactics, for summer fish. Its whats going on around here.
There are hoppers on the Madison, hoppers on the Beav, hoppers on the Big Hole, hoppers on the Ruby, hoppers on the Yellowstone, and dont forget the summer stonefly. Just because you dont see them, doesnt mean they arent there. The attentive angler will see schucks along the rocks on all of these rivers - but they are nocturnal. Unlike the very evident salmonfly hatch of 1 month ago - these fish only see them in the wee hours, and they know it. The nymphs are there, the fish eat them on a regular basis as well, but to get them to eat it on top - you better be fishing the first or last hour of the day.
As far as the catching - the big fish are out to play. The day after the wedding, I floated with my two cousins - some 10 years had passed since we wet a line together - and we saw more big fish to the fly in one day than I have ever seen. The weeks since then have been steadily producing several opportunities per day at larger than average fish.
With August right around the corner, the hopper fishing should get nothing but better, the foothills are green, the rivers have water and we have a few openings. Maw nature is taking good care of us sportsmen this year with daily rainstorms minus the dry lightning, and the word around the campfire is that the fire season that so many run from is gioing to be minimal. If you have a hankering to toss a fly to the banks in Montana this fall, and havent already made your reservations, now is the time - who knows, your picture could be on the next newsletter with a 20"+ Montana brwon trout.
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Big Hole River - July 24th, 2004
supplied by: Montana Troutfitters
FISHING: Good
The Flows at Melrose Montana are 699 C.F.S. The flows are maintaing pretty well and the fishing has been good. There is a mix of hatches right now with PMD's, Caddis and Yellow Sallies. Overcast days have seen a few mahogony duns as well as psuedos. Both of these hatches are unreliable and you should not expect to see them, just be fortunate if they do come off and be prepared for them. Hopper fishing is starting to produce a few results but it has not been red hot. Streamers fished with a slow strip have been producing well if you have some good cloud cover. Crowds have been very managable but keep in mind the regulations regarding nonresident anglers if you are going to be there on the weekend. If you are a non resident and you do not like the regulation please grab a copy of the Montana Fishing Regulations and write to the address in the back of the booklet which has a Arlington Virgina address. These regulations need to change and it is only going to happen if non resident anglers let the government know about the dicriminatory regulations on both the Bighole and Beaverhead rivers.
Fly Pattern Suggestions :Yellow Stimulator #8-12, Madam X #8-10, Elk Hair Caddis #12-14, Slick Water Caddis #12-14 Parachute Caddis #12-14, BH Mangy Caddis #14-16, Black Lite Brite Caddis #12-14, Hot wire Caddis #12-14, BH Prince #8-12
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Weather and Lunar Phases
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Your search returned 30 items (most recent reports for all waters in )
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