May fishing report for the big hole

Date
Tuesday, 2 May, 2017
Water Clarity
Moderately Clear
Angler Traffic
Medium
Fish Caught
9-12 fish
Report
Early lowland run off in April caused the big hole to jump from around 450 cfs to just over 2000. This pre runoff really kickstarted the fish. The fish turned on as soon as it started to fall. it has now stablized around 1500 and fishing remains good on both dries and wets.  

There are still a few squalla bugs around so a size 8 chubby chernoble has been a good one especially with a San Juan worm hanging hanging about 2 ft below it if there is a little cloud cover, you can expect a good hatch of march browns by about 1:00. If the march brown do show up look for risers. There are only 400 fish per mile on the Jeff as compared with over 2000 for the Madison. Look for the fish there not everywhere.  If you can get a few clouds, streamer fishing stays pretty good all day but the big show is the march browns in the afternoon .
 
Start Time:
9:35 AM
End Time:
6:00 PM
Flies
Dries
Name
Size
Chubby Chernobyl8
Fishing Water Report
 (3)
The Big Hole River starts in the Beaverhead Mountains south of Jackson, Montana and flows on for about 156 miles. Beginning as a slight stream, it picks up muscle as it joins with ... morethe North Fork, and draws more volume as it passes through the Wise River basin. At the Continental Divide it changes its northeasterly direction and heads southeast until it joins the Beaverhead and forms the Jefferson River close to the town of Twin Bridges, Montana. It hosts one of the last known habitat for the native fluvial artic grayling but is best known to fly fishers for its trout.

Like so many Montana rivers, the Big Hole is as full of history as it is of water. When Lewis and Clark stumbled upon it, the river was providing a buffer zone between rival Indian tribes vying for land as they sagely anticipated the westward push of European miners, furriers and settlers. Fifty years later, a significant number of the Nez Percé, a tribe that had initially befriended the Expedition, refused to accept life on a reservation and were nearly wiped out by U.S. troops in the Battle of the Big Hole. Today’s battles consist of quarrels between ranchers who desire water for irrigation and recreational users who wish to see the water preserved.

Fishing the river can be basically divided into three sections. From the headwaters at Skinner Lake to Fish Trap, the river meanders slowly through high meadowlands. This is where the few remaining artic grayling can be found, although browns and rainbows are in abundance here. In the second section, Fish Trap to Melrose, you will find boulders and pocket water rushing through a narrow canyon; here rainbows outnumber the browns with an estimated 3000 fish per mile. The final section, Melrose to Twin Bridges, is lined with cottonwood bottoms, braided channels and long, slow pools. In contrast to the second link, browns outnumber rainbows 2 to 1 with approximately 3000 fish per mile.
Reporting Outfitter
 (1)
Welcome to Southwest Montana's finest fly fishing adventures. Blue ribbon trout water is literally steps away when you visit us in the picturesque town of Ennis, Montana. You may spend ... morethe day on our home river, the world famous Madison or drive to one of our other local rivers such as the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby or the Jefferson. Whether you are a new angler or an old pro we have the expertise and patience to make your time on the water chasing wild trout a success.
Reported Trip
  • Full-day of professionally guided fly fishing for up to two anglers
  • Lunch, drinks, and snacks
  • Flies and other needed gear
With over 50 combined years of experience fishing the Jefferson River, we have the deep knowledge needed to guide you down this Blue Ribbon River. Located in Ennis, Montana, one of ... morethe top fly fishing towns in the world, Red Mountain Adventures is conveniently located to help you with your fishing experience.

Our guided float trips on the Jefferson River are perfect for:

Anglers looking for less angler traffic yet want to catch bigger fish

First time anglers who come here first to get easy, effective, and mindful instruction on fly fishing

Novices to experts who gain from our deep knowledge and instruction on the Madison River

Book with us today and enjoy the best in Montana fly fishing.
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