Reports from two of Montana’s Best
Big Hole River
Great Upper Big Hole Double
The Big Hole has turned a corner in the past few weeks as the smell of fall is in the air. With the new weather pattern the fish have responded in a positive manner, by looking for food eagerly and often. Dry fly fishing has been the hot ticket the past three weeks, with Spruce Moths, Ants, Beetles, Hopper, PMD’s, Wulff’s, and Caddis being the hot ticket items. The Browns are looking as if they are starting to add a little more beef as they gear up for the fall spawn. The coloration of the fish is eye catching, and when you couple that with the magnificent fall scenery of the Big Hole River, it’s hard to imagine a prettier setting to trout fish. The Rainbow’s are in great shape this time of year, and are feisty and often come rocketing out of the water after being stuck by a well placed fly. The lower Big Hole has been fishing just as well, with more hopper and bigger bug action than that of the upper stretch. Assorted colors of Chubby’s, Foam Hoppers, and Big Rubber Legs have been the ticket. Trico hatches have been great all throughout the river, with some fall drakes and late PMD’s still coming off. A few Beatis have been seen on occasion, and of course the Caddis are still around in the evenings, and provide great dry fly fishing in the later evening hours. We are excited to continue the fall season on this river, and expect it to fish well until ice over this winter.
Beaverhead River
Late Evening Beaverhead Brute
After one of the best summers in recent memory on the Beaverhead River, it still continues to fish at a staggering pace this fall. Crane Fly fishing has been some of the best in years with fish literally doing cartwheels in the air to try and grab one of these big ticket meals. About a week ago we stayed out a little later than normal and fished cranes into the moonlight hours. It was one of the neatest experiences of year as is seemed as if big rocks were being thrown all over the river for miles as fish were nailing emerging cranes with some of the harshest aggression I’ve ever seen. The river was boiling with takes and huge lunging eats as we skated our imitation by the moonlight. A true memory that we will surly repeat this week. With the higher than normal water flows the moss has stayed attached to the bottom of the river longer, providing ample room to both throw to rising fish still eating PMD’s, and nymphing long runs without getting hung up every few feet. PMD’s, Tricos, Moths, Hoppers, Lime Midges, and Caddis are the main hatches at the moment…along with the cranes…and the fish are looking up throughout the river in hopes of nabbing a dead drifted fly. Hopper fishing on the lower river has been good, great on cloudy days, and streamers are picking up better fish early in the mornings and later in the evening.We’ve had a great season here in Southwest Montana, and the Fall Season may be the best of the year. There are more fish in the system, bigger fish, and healthier fish that we’ve had in a long time. Cooler water temps have protected a lot of the fish that the warmer water years would have taken, which only means a greater chance to tie into a trophy trout. We hope everyone has had a great summer, and that you see a river or two this fall. Take care and Tight Lines!
Justin
