big-hole-river

Big Hole River is a river in Montana.

It ranks #5 among the 17 waters of Montana in the registry, and is of national prominence.

Also called The Big Hole.

Fished for trout (inferred from the species listed).

Species: rainbow trout, brown trout, arctic grayling and mountain whitefish.

USGS GNIS record: 779824.

Access points: Dickie Bridge, Divide Bridge, Glen, Maiden Rock, Salmon Fly, Fishtrap, Jerry Creek, Notch Bottom, Sportsman Park and Wisdom.

Confluences: Wise River.

Wise River to Salmon Fly (stretch). It is fishable and floatable. Big Sky Fishing: 'considered the prime fishing stretch'; best browns between Maiden Rock FAS and Salmon Fly FAS.

It is upstream of Divide Bridge to Melrose.

It is downstream of Wisdom Section.

Salmon Fly to Glen (stretch). It is fishable and floatable. Fourteen miles, mostly private land; best by boat (Big Sky Fishing).

It is upstream of Glen to Twin Bridges.

It is downstream of Divide Bridge to Melrose.

Twin Bridges (confluence). It is fishable. Big Hole meets the Beaverhead; the Jefferson begins here (shared with Beaverhead and Jefferson records).

It is downstream of High Road.

Browne's Bridge (access). It is fishable. GTY: 'From Melrose you may follow the frontage road south to Browne's Bridge.' Order vs Salmon Fly not asserted. Also called Brownes Bridge.

Dewey (access). It is fishable and launchable. Also called Dewey FAS.

It is upstream of Powerhouse.

It is downstream of Jerry Creek.

Glen to Twin Bridges (stretch). It is fishable and floatable. Lower Big Hole; brown trout water, spring and fall; only a few designated accesses (Notch Bottom, Pennington Bridge/diversion dam, High Road).

It is downstream of Salmon Fly to Glen.

High Road (access). It is fishable. Also called High Road Access.

It is upstream of Twin Bridges.

It is downstream of Pennington Bridge.

Kalsta Bridge (access). It is fishable and launchable. Also called Kalsta Bridge FAS.

It is upstream of Glen.

It is downstream of Salmon Fly.

Pennington Bridge (access). It is fishable and launchable. A diversion dam just below Pennington Bridge can be portaged or avoided by the left channel (Big Sky Fishing). Also called Pennington Bridge Access.

It is upstream of High Road.

It is downstream of Notch Bottom.

Powerhouse (access). It is fishable. Also called Powerhouse FAS.

It is upstream of Divide Bridge.

It is downstream of Dewey.

Wisdom Section (stretch). It is fishable. BHRF lists a 'Wisdom Section' near the headwaters; Big Sky Fishing: origin at Skinner Lake, Wisdom at river mile 116.

It is upstream of Wise River to Salmon Fly.

Float: Melrose to Glen, from Salmon Fly to Glen, 14 miles.

Float: Fishtrap to Dickie Bridge, from Fishtrap to Dickie Bridge.

Float: Jerry Creek to Divide Bridge, from Jerry Creek to Divide Bridge.

Float: Divide Bridge to Melrose, from Divide Bridge to Salmon Fly.

Sourced from 0 independent fly sites.

Sources: bhrf.org, bhrf.org (2), bigskyfishing.com, glaciertoyellowstone.com and outsidebozeman.com.

Hatches

Pale Morning Dun

Stage: nymph, dun. Well sourced.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun hatching
Jul hatching
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Emerge at 58F; size 14-16, mostly 16.

Sources: Montana Angler, Montana Angler, Montana Angler

Salmonfly

Stage: nymph, adult. Well sourced.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun hatching, peak
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Peak: first two weeks of June

Depends on when runoff ends; Wisdom to Notch Bottom. Lasts several days, sometimes weeks; 54-58F water; size 4-8.

Sources: Montana Angler, Montana Angler, Montana Angler

Caddis (post-runoff)

Well sourced.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun hatching
Jul hatching
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Thick right after runoff.

Sources: Montana Angler, Montana Angler, Montana Angler

Blue-Winged Olive

Well sourced.

Jan
Feb
Mar hatching
Apr hatching
May hatching
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Two windows: late March through May, and mid-September into October (listed separately). Best on overcast days, particularly near Melrose and below Glen. Size 14-16 in spring, 16-22 in fall.

Sources: Montana Angler, Montana Angler, Montana Angler

Golden Stonefly

Stage: adult. Well sourced.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun hatching
Jul hatching
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Slightly after the salmonflies; size 8-12.

Sources: Montana Angler, Montana Angler, Montana Angler

Mother's Day Caddis

Well sourced.

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr hatching
May hatching
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Fishable mid-April to late May, best near 54F water, though runoff starts during this window. Caddis also come thick right after runoff (about June 10-15) and persist well into July.

Sources: Montana Angler, Montana Angler, Montana Angler