Beaverhead River rainbow trout
CONDITIONS: FLOW
Current Beaverhead River flows out of Clark Canyon Dam 27cfs
Caption: Beaverhead River Rainbow Trout
VISIBILITY
Good
The Beaverhead River is closed from The Dam Fishing Access Site down to Pipe Organ (FAS) until the third Saturday in May. Check the Montana Fish Wildlife and Park’s site for fishing regulations. Fishing is good from Pipe Organ (FAS) down to Barrett’s (FAS). Being a tail water the Beaverhead isn’t susceptible to locking up with ice, making it a good winter fishery. I recommend walk/wade fishing as low current flows make drift fishing all but impossible.
TACTICS AND PATTERNS: NYMPHING
Nymphing with a two fly rig will be your most productive method. Midges and Scuds make up the bulk of the winter food forage for trout on the Beaverhead River. Zebra Midges in black or red in #14-16 are go to flies in the winter. Scud patterns in olive and Sow Bugs in pink, orange in #16-18 are catching fish.
Beaverhead River rainbow trout
DRY FLIES
There are fish rising to midges on warmer days, look for risers in softer water along inside edges and in back eddy’s. Try a Parachute Adams or Griffith’s Gnat #14-18. Try tying a dropper off the bend of your dry fly and tie on a Zebra Midge, emerger, or bead-head Pheasant Tail #14-18 fifteen inches below your dry fly.
STREAMERS
Streamer bite is pretty good. Better on warm, cloudy day’s as you might expect. A fast strip and pause retrieve will get positive results. Try smaller sculpin patterns and Krystal Buggers in olive or brown or a Zonker in natural/pearl #6-10.
Caption: Beaverhead River Brown Trout
TIPS:
Be aware of winter fishing hazards such as drifting ice, shelf ice and rapid weather changes. So be prepared with appropriate winter fishing clothing; if you have studded boots or cleats… where them! The rainbow trout are starting to spawn, if you see patches of bright gravel, watch your step, and please stay clear!
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
For more information on Montana fly fishing and guided fishing trips The Beaverhead River please contact FishTales Outfitting.
www.FishTalesOutFitting.com
(Report by Michael Stack – FishTales Outfitting)
