FLOWS:

• Clark Canyon Dam 378 cfs
• Barrett’s 680 cfs
• Dillon 185 cfs

VISIBILITY:

Good at 4-5 feet below Clark Canyon Dam. Below Grasshopper Creek visibility is poor at less than 1 foot. 

The Beaverhead River is open to fishing from Clark Canyon Dam Spillway FAS (Fishing Access Site) downstream to its confluence with the Jefferson River. Clark Canyon Creek above High Bridge is adding some color but it dilutes by the time you get past High Bridge.  The flows have started to go up as ranchers down river have started calling for irrigation water.

Fishing has been very good from The Spillway (FAS) downstream to Grasshopper Creek (FAS). When there’s a substantial rain event Clark Canyon Creek will have the tendency to blow out.  From Grasshopper Creek (FAS) down to Barrett’s (FAS) fishing has been tough due to mud and runoff.

TACTICS AND PATTERNS :

NYMPHING:

• Nymphing a two fly rig under a strike indicator with a drop shot leader will be the most productive tactic. Midge patterns, Beatis nymphs sow bugs and scuds are catching fish.
• Try a Zebra Midge, Tailwater Tiny, Micro May, Psycho May, Barr Emerger or Mitchell BWO Splitback size #14-18. Soft Hackle Sowbug’s, Ray Charles in orange and pink size #16-18. Rainbow Warrior’s, San Juan worms in red # 14-12.

 STREAMERS :

• The steamer bite is good early, and on cool, cloudy days.
• I like a fairly fast to medium strip and pause retrieve with an aggressive jump and twitch action. Fish are being caught on Wooley Sculpin’s, Conehead Krystal Bugger’s, JJ Special’s, Zonkers in size #2-6.
• Yellow, olive, yellow and olive combinations, white and black. Check out my Top 10 Streamers for SW Montana for a more complete list of recommended streamers.

DRY FLIES :

• Dry fly bite is still hit and miss upriver. Baetis are hatching in theafternoons but few fish are rising to them unless it’s cloudy. Caddis later in the day.
• Try a Parachute Adams, Sparkle Dun, or CDC Dun in olive or grey size # 16-18. A dropper will increase your odds. Try a Micro May, Psycho May size #16-18 tied in with a tag end dropper so your dry will stay afloat. Try an Elk Hair Caddis with a Caddis Pupa tied of the bend. Try a Mathew’s Iris Caddis or Lafontaine’s Sparkle Pupa.

For more information on The Beaverhead River and guided fishing trips on the Beaverhead River please contact FishTales Outfitting.