Big Hole River Fishing Report – 7.27.14 (by FishTales Outfitting LLC)
By angelamontana

Posted: July 28, 2014

FLOWS:

  • Maiden Rock 495 cfs
  • Melrose 516 cfs
  • Glen 615 cfs

tacticsftVISIBILITY:

Clear at 3+ feet

The Big Hole River is dropping every day now, half of what it was last week. Big Hole River is fishing well before mid-day temperatures reach 90+ and in the fast water down the middle as the fish seek faster more oxygenated water.

TACTICS & PATTERNS:

DRYS

The dry fly bite has been good as well as dry/dropper in the riffles and fast water. There are Caddis, PMDs and Yellow Sallies early and terrestrials later in the day. Terrestrials once the water has warmed a bit right now. Hoppers, ants and beetles!

  • Try a Morrish, Parahopper hopper in tan, yellow or pink size # 12-8
  • 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 in copper or red, or Beadhead Prince, Psycho Mayfly nymph.

Sizes #16-12

tacticsft2STREAMERS:

The streamer game has been pretty slow with the heat and lack of clouds. But when all else fails I like a sculpin dead drift under an indicator in the fast water ! 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, Sculpzilla JR in Natural, or Olive. Black or Olive Crystal Buggers, 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 small nymph dropper to give the trout an option.

NYMPHING:

tacticsft3Nymphing 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.

fishtales

(Fishing report by Michael Stack of FishTales Outfitting)

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