Big Hole River Fishing Report – 7-18-14 (by FishTales Outfitting LLC)
By angelamontana

Posted: July 19, 2014

FLOWS:

  • Maiden Rock 887 cfs
  • Melrose 943 cfs
  • Glen 1,110 cfs

fto1VISIBILTY:

Clear at 3+ feet

The Big Hole River continues to drop every day after a slight bump in the middle of the month. 993 cfs near Melrose and although flows are dropping daily, the Big Hole River is fishing well. The best fishing is in the fast water early in the morning before mid-day temperatures reach 90+.

TACTICS & PATTERNS:

DRYS

The dry fly bite has been good as well as dry/dropper. Tricos are on in the lower river; PMDs and Yellow Sallies scattered throughout the rest of the river.

  • Try a Purple Haze, PMX, Yellow Stimulator or Rusty Sparkle Dun

o   Sizes #16-14 for PMDs, Yellow Sallies and Rusty Duns

  • Good dropper choices are Beadhead Pheasant Tail, Copper John or Beadhead Prince, Psycho Mayfly nymph.

o   Sizes #16-12

fto2STREAMERS:

The streamer game has been solid even with the river dropping and clear. I like a dead drift under an indicator, but a tight line will catch fish as well. Natural color’s and muted when it’s clearer. Cloudy days will be your best bet for good streamer action.

  • Zonker’s in Olive, Natural/Copper, Natural/pearl or white size # 2-6, Trick or Treat, Olive Brown or Black Crystal Bugger, or Olive 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 nymph dropper to give the trout an option.
fto3

Bull moose on the Big Hole River – Summer 2014

NYMPHING:

Nymphing with two fly’s and strike indicator is still very productive in the fast water. A little swing at the end of your dead drift often brings more strikes than dead drift alone.

  • Try a Pat’s Rubber Leg Stone in brown, tan, black or olive. Peacock Stone, George’s Rubber Leg Brown Stone, Chocolate Trout Retriever or Pepperoni Yuk Bug in size # 4-6.
  • Pheasant Tails, Soft Hackle Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, San Juan Worms in red, wine or size # 6-10 are all good second fly choices for nymphing.

TIPS: Bring plenty of sun block, water and bug dope.

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

ftoa

(Report written by Michael Stack of FishTales Outfitting)

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