Beaverhead River, Big Hole River, and Madison River 2008 Montana Fly Fishing Report & Season Outlook
Backcountry Angler Newsletter May 9, 2008
The Beaverhead, Big Hole and Madison rivers are all fishing well this season. We are anticipating a great fishing season on the Beaverhead, Big Hole and Madison Rivers. April was outstanding with very few anglers to compete with. April can be one of the best months for large numbers of fish caught. Early April is pre run-off with some of the most consistent water flows and productive fishing of the season. May is a great month also. June and July are the height of the season with prolific hatches, and good fishing but the largest number of anglers. August is always a good month for the fair weather fishermen with consistent weather and fewer people than June and July. During August Clark Canyon can be off the charts with large numbers of big fish being caught - last year was the best in years. The ice came off the lake mid-April this year and the fishing has been fabulous ever since. September brings slightly cooler temperatures with good fishing, solitude, and brilliant colors. This is one of our favorite times of the year. Fish can be caught by all. October is an outstanding month - fall colors, few people, and great fishing all the way to the end of the month.
Everyone is absolutely in love with the Great Room at the River Lodge this season. We have added a pool table for your evening entertainment. And, we now have a wonderful gallery of photographs of the area displayed for your enjoyment. The wood stove has been keeping everyone cozy in the evening hours after a productive day on the water. It seems to be the preferred location to gather for a few fish tales.
The Big Hole – The fishing started out in late March with streamer and nymph fishing and continued through April with Skwalas on warmer days . Over the winter we had a tremendous amount of snow in the mountains and we look forward to an exceptional season on the Big Hole River. The Mother’s Day Caddis should come off in the middle to end of May. It is one of the best hatches of the season. We anticipate the Salmon Fly hatch from the first of June to the middle of the month depending on the run-off, temperatures and Mother Nature. We spend a lot of days on the Big Hole river throughout the season. During July the river fishes well on dries, nymphs, and terrestrials. August is a great dry fly month for Spruce Moths and Tricos. September can be a great transitional month from summer to fall with few fishermen, fall colors and great fishing with Tricos, hoppers, terrestrials and nymphs. All of October is outstanding using streamers and nymph patterns. There was a new stream flow gauge installed at Maiden Rock this past off season. Because of the location of this new gauge there is no question that the Big Hole will remain open thoughout the season from Dickie Bridge to Melrose. This is the most productive section of the river.
The Beaverhead - In April and early May we had excellent fishing due mainly to strong Caddis and Blue Wing Olive Mayfly hatches, and small nymphs. The secret is still not out about the great early spring fishing. The local biologist has stated that there are a record number of 3 year old fish in the river in 2008 to will provide excellent action with a few Bruzers mixed in. The 2008 season is producing even larger fish than 2007. The Upper River from the Dam to Pipe Organ opens for the season on May 17. Clark Canyon Reservoir has good water storage and a lot more snowmelt to come due to a cooler spring and snowpack over 100%. Early June has outstanding nymph fishing with fewer anglers than later in the month when the PMD's and Yellow Sally hatches start. July can be great dry fly fishing with Yellow Sallies continuing throughout the month and great nymph fishing. In August the fishing pressure slows down and an angler will have Tricos, hoppers, terrestrials and nymph fishing. Near the end of August the Crane Fly hatch should start. September should have Crane Fly fishing as the river cools down as well as hopper and nymph fishing. October the Browns start to spawn and the fish get more aggressive. We anticipate good flows for the 2008 season and good fishing through the end of October. Since the Beaverhead is a tailwater fishery it has consistent fishing thoughout the season. It is know as a fish producing factory due to its nutrient rich waters.
The Madison - The Madison had great spring fishing near Varney with a heavy midge hatch, and some Blue Wing Olives and March Browns. However, nymph fishing was the most productive method to catch numbers of fish. The fish are healthy and stout having come through the winter well. One Brown Trout caught in April by a Backcountry Angler client taped-out at just under 25" with a very fat belly. This fish was caught on a midge. The middle to end of June should see the Salmon flies coming off. The Caddis hatch should be heavy after that throughout July and early August. Then hoppers and terrestrials kick-in for August and September. Streamer fishing picks up in October.
The Ruby – The Ruby is always a star in the spring before the irrigation season. Nymphs always work, with some excellent Blue Wing Olive and Caddis hatches in the early spring. The water storage in the reservoir was good this year. The water is currently flowing over the top of the dam.
We look forward to a very busy 2008 Season. This year trips started at the end of March and will continue until early November. Nearly everyone that came in 2007 rebooked for 2008. Our 2009 season is already 100% rebooking so far. If you have any inkling of fishing the Dillon area make sure we get you in the loop and on the books. We are very fortunate to have many rivers to chose from thereby having a fishing season that goes from late March through October.
The River Lodge has been a huge success and with the opening of the Great Room has added even more enjoyment to everyone's Montana Fly Fishing vacation. The new pool table has been a big hit so far this year. We are presently full during certain time periods but we can always fit you in if you are somewhat flexible on your dates in 2008.
We hope to hear from you soon and see you fly fishing Montana in 2008. We are looking forward to a great fishing season.
Best Regards & Good Fishing,
Tom & Mary
