Big Hole Fishing Report 4-27-13

FishTales Big Hole Fishing Report for April 27 2013.

• Snowpack data from Snotel for the Big Hole drainage is at 85%

• Currently 770cfs at Maiden Rock FAS near divide Montana.

• Visibility-  the visibility remains good 4-5ft

The Big Hole River had been flat and clear for a week and been fishing great. However, daytime temperatures over the past couple days have been in the high 60’s and and low 70’s and the river has bumped to 770cfs at Maiden Rock. A  Nighttime low’s are expected to stay below freezing which should keep the snow pack locked up and the big runoff from coming and really blowing it out. Then again I could be wrong.

Dry flies-

• We have been catching fish on skwalla patterns in the am. and I usually don’t hesitate to add a dropper for good measure. If the dropper is hanging up the drift along the really shallow banks, cut it off and I’ll bet you’ll get them to eat it. We are also seeing March brown’s and beatis in the afternoon.

• Try a Chubby Chernobyl size#10-12 in tan , gold, or olive or a Black Magic size#10-12.

• For the dropper I like a standard bead-head Prince or Pheasant Tail size#12-14.

• For the March Brown’s try a Lawson’s extended body Paradrake or Parachute Adams size#10-12.

Streamers–

• The streamer bite has been strong , better on cloudy day’s as you might expect but still good even in the sunshine and for streamer junkies like me that’s good news!

• Try a Conehead Beldar Bugger in yellow or olive size#4-6, or sculpin pattern like the Mini-Loop Sculpin in olive or natural or a Zonker in natural/pearl natural/copper sizes#2-6.

Nymphing-

• Nymphing with rubber-leg stonefly patterns in black or brown or black/brown size#8-6 is still productive and tying a second fly off the bend dropped about 15″ will double your chances. Try a bead-head Prince or Pheasant Tail size#12-14. If the water is a little cold and the bite chilly as well, try a San Juan Worm in red burgundy or orange size#10-14.

Be aware of floating hazards like log jams and channels that may have changed on the lower river. If your not sure, stop and scout the situation before you proceed. The upper river doesn’t move around like the  lower river and therefore doesn’t have nearly the hazards.

Rainbow’s are still spawning in the shallow’s so please watch your step.

Happy angling!

For more information on fishing trips on The Big Hole River please contact FishTales Outfitting.