Big Hole River Fishing Report by MT Troutfitters 9.24.17
By angelamontana

Posted: September 26, 2017

As of 09/08 the sections from Saginaw Bridge to the North Fork of the Big Hole and Notch Bottom to the confluence with the Beaverhead close entirely to fishing due to drought. There will be no fishing in these stretches at all. The fishing has been good if you get on the river in an open stretch. The big hole is low, cooling down, and full of browns. This means a couple things. Its wadeable and streamer season is here. The streamer bite has been hit or miss but fish are starting to move. There are some baetis around out here as well and you will find some feeding fish. In the midday sun work shadow lines and faster water. If you cannot get fish to look up or commit to a streamer, try a dropper nymph under a purple chubby. A pheasant tail, hares ear, or copper john in size 16 should get the job done.

FLY PATTERN SUGGESTIONS

Dries| Low-Rider: 20-22, Z-Lon Midge: 20-22, Elk Hair Caddis: 12-14-16, Missing Link Caddis: 14-16, AC Caddis: 14-16, X Caddis: 14-16-18, Flutter Bug: 4-6, Cat Puke: 4, Dog Puke: 4, Grillo’s Palamino: 4-6

Nymphs| Serengold: Olive 14-16, G6 Caddis: Amber: 14-16, Edible Emerger: Tan 14-16, Electric Butt Caddis Pupa: Olive & Tan 14-16, Rubberlegs Olive, Olive/Brown: 6-8-10, Ugly Bug: 4-6-8, Mega Hares Ears:Olive Crystal Bugger 6-10 6-8 Red Belly Yuk Bug: 2-4 Coppertone Delektable: 6-8 Lightning Bug Pearl, Gold, Purple: 14-16 IED Worm: 10 Copper Johnson Yellow, Red, Blue: 12-14-16-18 BHFBPT: 12-14-16

Streamers| JJ Special: 4- 6 Sculpzilla’s Tan, Olive, Black: size 4-6 Haymaker Sculpin Olive, Brown: 4 Bellyache Minnow Tan, Olive: 1/0-1 Micro Zonker Tan, Olive, Black: 8 Fatheads Yellow: 2 Sex Dungeon Yellow, Rust, Natural: 2 Home Invader Yellow, Olive Space Invader: 2 Flash Fry Brown & Yellow: 2 Space Invader Brown Yellow, Tan: 2-4-6; Brown/Copper Sparkle Minnow 4-6

(Fishing report via Montana Troutfitters)

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