FLOWS:

• Clark Canyon Dam 230 cfs
• Barrett’s 443 cfs
• Dillon 136 cfs

A heavy shouldered Beaverhead brown heading back to the river!

VISIBILITY:

Good clear at 4-5 feet from the Dam. Below Grasshopper visibility is poor 1-2 feet.

Clark Canyon Creek above High Bridge is adding some mud but it dilutes by the time you get past High Bridge. When there’s a substantial rain event Clark Canyon Creek will have the tendency to blow out.

Grasshopper has been adding some color but has been clearing..

The Beaverhead River is open to fishing from Clark Canyon Dam Spillway FAS (Fishing Access Site) downstream to its confluence with the Jefferson River. The flows have started to go up as irrigators down river start calling for water. Fishing has been very good and getting better every day.

TACTICS AND PATTERNS :

NYMPHING :

   Nymphing a two fly rig under a strike indicator with a drop shot leader will provide the most action. Using two flies will double your odds. Midge patterns, Beatis nymphs sowbugs 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 or pink # 14-12 when the water is off color.

STREAMERS :

   The steamer bite has been quite good down river as water temps have been reaching the upper 40’s.

   I like a fairly fast to medium strip and pause retrieve with an aggressive pumping and twitching action. We’re catching fish on Wooley Sculpin’s, Conehead Krystal Bugger’s, JJ Special’s, Zonkers 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 pretty soft upriver although Baetis are hatching in the afternoons. Closer to Dillon fish rising to them on soft inside edges and along foam lines and back eddy’s. Along with Caddis later in the day.

   Try a Parachute Adams, Sparkle Dun, or CDC Dun in olive or grey size # 16-18. A dropper may increase your odds. Try a Micro May, Psycho May size #16-18 tied in with a tag end dropper so your little dry has a chance of staying afloat. Try an Elk Hair Caddis with a Caddis Pupa tied of the bend. I like a Mathew’s Iris Caddis or Lafontaines Sparkle Pupa.

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

(Report by Michael Stack of FishTales Outfitting LLC)