Big Hole River Fishing Report 6-26-14 Fly Fishing near Missoula

FLOWS:

• Maiden Rock 3,450 cfs
• Melrose 3,410 cfs
• Glen 3,620 cfs

VISIBILITY: Good at 3+ feet

The Big Hole River is on a slight bump up in flows due to recent precipitation but continues to fish well. It should stabilize in a few days. Salmon Flies and Golden Stones are hatching along the upper river from Maiden Rock Fishing Access Site (FAS) up to Sportmens Camp. The water conditions are perfect for dry flies. The fish are on the banks and foam lines  and looking to eat adult stoneflies!  Check out our Montana Fly Fishing Packages page to learn more about our Montana Fly Fishing vacation packages.

TACTICS & PATTERNS:

DRY FLIES:

The Salmon Fly and Golden Stone hatches on the upper river are on! We’re also catching fish up and down the river on Caddis, PMD’s and Green Drakes when the big bug bite drops off later in the day. A dry/dropper will help in the am if the fish aren’t on the dry early.

• Try a Rogue River Stone Fly, Carnage Stone, Turner’s Bank Robber, Gypsy King, Kyle’s King Kong Salmon, MacSalmon or Improved Sofa Pillow in size #4-6.
• Rogue Golden Stone, Chubby Chernobyl, Rogue Golden Stone size #6-10
• If you add a dropper try a small Pat’s Stone or Beadhead Prince, Beadhead Pheasant Tail size #10.
  

STREAMERS:

As flows and visibility have improved the streamer fishing have improved as well. Water visibility should dictate what color fly you choose. Bright and flashy if the water is less than two feet. Natural and earth toned or  muted colors when the visibility is three feet or more. Of course cloudy days will be your best bet for good streamer action, but don’t be afraid to try one on a bluebird day either.

• Try a JJ Special, Lyle’s Choice, Yellow Yummy, or Zonker in Copper, yellow or white size # 2-6, Trick or Treat, Olive Brown or Black Crystal Bugger, or Yuk Bug, Coffey’s Sparkle Minnow in size # 4-8.
• Try dead drifting your streamer under an indicator if the fish aren’t willing to make chase.
• Add a big nymph dropper or second smaller streamer if you’re getting short strikes.
• Read my TOP 10 STREAMERS FOR SW MONTANA for a more complete list of streamer patterns.

NYMPHING:

Nymphing two flies under and a bobber is still productive as Salmon fly nymphs are crawling to the the bank to hatch. Do let your Stone fly swing at the end of your drift, as this often brings more strike’s than dead drift alone.

• Try a Pat’s Rubber Leg Stone, Chocolate Trout Retriever or Pepperoni Yuk Bug in size # 4-6.
• Beadhead Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Caddis. Size #10-14.
• San Juan Worms in red, wine or pink size # 6-10 are all good dropper choices.

TIPS: Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) has removed the floating hazard signs (because of log jam) along the lower Big Hole River between Glen Fishing Access Site (FAS) and Pennington Bridge (FAS) but recommends “people go with someone who is familiar with that stretch the first time because of all known hazards”.

For more information on Montana fly fishing and guided fishing trips on the Big Hole River please visit Fishtales Outfitting.