Big Hole River Fishing Report 2.12.18 (by Montana Troutfitters)
By angelamontana

Posted: February 14, 2018

With the cold weather this weekend, there are better rivers in Montana to fish. The lower big hole is still pretty icy, and the current weather is not helping the problem. If you do brave the cold, It’s time to bump the bottom with some nymphs. Dropping midge nymphs below a Pat’s Rubberlegs is usually a good way to start the day. Variations of San Juan worms are sometimes the fly of the day if you can’t get much else to work. One thing on this river that can make a big difference is how you tie on your nymphs. Instead of a normal cinch knot try using a loop knot. The added motion it will give your nymphs can make a lot more fish eat your fly. This river can have very good winter streamer fishing. Let them get deep, jig/strip a Whitefish or sculpin pattern at the bottom.   

FLY PATTERN SUGGESTIONS

Dries| Low-Rider: 20-22, Z-Lon Midge: 20-22, Matt’s Midge: 20-22, Griffiths Gnat: 16-18-20, Renegade: 16-18-20

Nymphs| Bubble Back BWO: 16-18, BH Pheasant Tail: 14-16-18, Green Machine: 18-20, CDC Pheasant Tail: 12-14-16-18,Rubberlegs Olive, Olive/Brown: 6-8-10, Ugly Bug: 4-6-8, 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

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

Thank you, Montana Troutfitters!

(feature photo via Big Hole Watershed Committee)
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