FLOWS:
·         Clark Canyon Dam 378 cfs

·         Barrett’s 680 cfs

·         Dillon 140 cfs

VISIBILITY:
·         4+ feet below Clark Canyon Dam.

·         Clark Canyon Creek has cleared but will have the tendency to “blow out” when there’s a substantial rain event.

·         Below Grasshopper Creek visibility is still a little dirty at 1-2 feet.

The Beaverhead River is open to fishing from Clark Canyon Dam Spillway FAS (Fishing Access Site) downstream to its confluence with the Jefferson River. Flows out of Clark Canyon Dam have been stepped up as irrigators down river start calling for water. Although most of southwest Montana received above average snow pack in The Centennial Valley that feeds the Beaverhead River. As a result Clark Canyon Reservoir is at 60% of full and not forecasted to increase much more. Fishing is still very good from the Spillway (FAS) downstream to Grasshopper Creek (FAS). From Grasshopper Creek (FAS) downstream to Barrett’s (FAS) fishing has been hit and miss due to visibility issue’s caused by Grasshopper Creek.

TACTICS AND PATTERNS:

NYMPHING:
·         Nymphing a drop shot type leader with two flies under a strike indicator will provide the most action. Midge and Beatis patterns along with sowbugs and scuds are catching fish.

·         Zebra Midge’s in black or red, Tailwater Tiny’s, Micro May’s, Psycho May, Barr Emerger or Mitchell BWO Splitback olive and brown in size #14-18 are all catching fish. Soft Hackle Sowbug’s, Ray Charles in white, tan, orange and pink size #16-18. Pheasant Tail’s, Rainbow Warrior’s San Juan Worm’s in burgundy or red # 16-12.

STREAMERS:
·         Streamer game has been quite good down river as water temps have been reaching the upper 40’s but the draw down from irrigation has all but ended the floating option’s on the lower Beaverhead at 99 cfs.

·         I like a fairly fast to medium strip and pause retrieve with an aggressive pumping and twitching action. We’re catching fish on Wooley Bugger’s, Wooley Sculpin’s, Zuddler’s, Zonker’s, Kiwi Zonker’s, Conehead Krystal Bugger’s size #2-6.

·         Streamer color of choice has been natural, olive, yellow and olive combinations, white and black. Check out my Top 10 Streamers for SW Montana.

DRY FLIES:
·         Dry fly bite is pretty soft upriver although Beatis are hatching in the afternoons along with Caddis later in the day. Closer to Dillon fish rising to them on soft inside edges and along foam lines and back eddy’s.

·         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 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 Lafontaine’s 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)