Big Hole River Fishing Report – 6-12-14 (by FishTales Outfitting LLC)
By angelamontana

Posted: June 12, 2014

FLOWS:

  • Maiden Rock 3,960 cfs
  • Melrose 3,810 cfs
  • Glen 4,070 cfs
bhrb

A nice Big Hole River brown

VISIBILTY: Good at 3+ feet

The Big Hole River continues to drop and clear every day after peaking on May 27th at 8,610 cfs near Melrose and although flows are still on the big side the Big Hole River is fishing really well. We’re starting to see the first Salmon Flies of the season and the river is in perfect shape when the hatch blows up! Plenty of water to keep the fish right up on the bank’s and clear so the fish are easily seeing the big dry.

TACTICS & PATTERNS:

We’re seeing the first few Salmon Flies along several reaches and it won’t be long before the hatch is full on! The dry/dropper bite has been solid and we’re catching some on the big dry…they’re starting to look up!

  • Try a Rogue River Stone Fly, Carnage Stone, Turner’s Bank Robber, Chubby Chernobyl, Gypsy King, Kyle’s King Kong Salmon, MacSalmon or Improved Sofa Pillow in size #4-6.

SsalmonhatchTREAMERS:

The streamer game has been very good with the river dropping and clearing. I like a fast strip and pause, but a tight line will catch fish as well. Color preference will typically track the color of the water. Bright when the water is off color, natural and muted when it’s clearer. Cloudy days will be your best bet for good streamer action, but the fish have been chasing streamers on the bright sun as well.

  • 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.

streamerbrownNYMPHING:

Nymphing with two fly’s and strike indicator is still very productive as masses of Salmon fly nymphs are migrating towards the bank to hatch and yeah… fish are looking for them. 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, Bitch Creek, Chocolate Trout Retriever or Pepperoni Yuk Bug in size # 4-6.
  • Soft Hackle Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, San Juan Worms in red, wine or pink size # 6-10 are all good dropper choice’s.

nymphingbrownTIPS: 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 contact Fishtales Outfitting.

(Report by Michael Stack of FishTales Outfitting LLC)

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