Beaverhead River, Big Hole River, and Madison River 2012 Season Outlook & 2011 Montana Fly Fishing Report
Backcountry Angler Newsletter January 25, 2012
2012 will be another great fly fishing year in Southwestern Montana. This winter the Beaverhead river is having excellent flows - this makes it three years in a row. The flows out of the dam are currently 308 cfs which will produce even larger trout this season. Clark Canyon is already 94% full. In 2011 we have great fishing on the Beaverhead as well as the Big Hole, and Madison rivers. Our area rivers offer some of the best fly fishing in Montana We filmed three shows for the Outdoor Channel with Familiar Waters and Mike Pawlawski - one on the Beaverhead, one on the Madison and one with Mary on a Women's only Fly Fishing Show. If you get a chance to view these segments it will show you the great fly fishing available in our area of Southwestern Montana.
The Beaverhead, Big Hole and Madison rivers all are fishing well this season. 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. April started the season off with a bang - lots of bugs, fish and happy fishermen. May was a great month also with the Caddis hatch. May is always a BIG FISH month - Tom and Andy taped a number of big fish in the 23"+ class. These were on the Beaverhead and the Big Hole Rivers. June and July were the height of the season with prolific hatches, and good fishing but the largest number of anglers - a very popular time. August is always a great month for the fair weather fishermen with consistent weather and fewer people than June and July. The Spruce Moths, Tricos and Hoppers can produce some of the most consistent dry fly fishing of the season. Another added bonus in late August/early September is the Crane Fly hatch on the Beaverhead. During August Clark Canyon Reservoir can be off the charts with large numbers of big fish being caught. The ice came off the reservoir mid-April 2011 and the fishing was excellent throughout the spring - the best spring fishing we have ever seen on Clark Canyon.
September brought slightly cooler temperatures with good fishing, solitude, and brilliant colors. Hopper fishing is good in September. This is one of our favorite times of the year. Fish were be caught by all. October was an outstanding month - fall colors, few people, and great fishing all the way to the end of the month. The 2011 fall has been a banner fishing with excellent water conditions.
Everyone is absolutely in love with the Great Room at the River Lodge this season which has a wonderful gallery of photographs of the area displayed for your enjoyment. . The pool table is getting lots of use for evening entertainment. The wood stove has been keeping everyone cozy in the cool evening hours after a productive day on the water. It seems to be the preferred location to gather for a few fish tales.
2011 Season Recap :
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 past winter we had a tremendous amount of snow in the mountains and we had an exceptional season on the Big Hole River. The Mother’s Day Caddis came off the middle to end of May. The Salmon Fly hatch came off the middle of June. There were many excellent days of fishing during this time period. We spend a lot of days on the Big Hole river throughout the season. During July the river fished well on dries, nymphs, and terrestrials. August was a great dry fly month for Spruce Moths, Tricos, Hoppers, and Ants. September was a transitional month from summer to fall with few fishermen, fall colors and great fishing with Tricos, hoppers, terrestrials and nymphs. All of October was outstanding using streamers and nymph patterns. Water flows were excellent this past fall. There was a new stream flow gauge installed at Maiden Rock the winter of'07/'08. Because of the location of this new gauge there is no question that the Big Hole will remain open throughout the season from Dickie Bridge to Melrose. This is the most productive section of the river. The Big Hole river has improvements at several fishing access sites along the river. The diversion dam above Divide has also been improved.
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 winter flows out of the dam will be as high as they have been in years. They will be around 200cfs which will produce very large trout this coming spring. Clark Canyon Reservoir has good water storage due to a wetter then normal year. Early June had outstanding nymph fishing with fewer anglers than later in the month when the PMD's and Yellow Sally hatches started. July was a great dry fly fishing with Yellow Sallies continuing throughout the month and great nymph fishing. In August the fishing pressure slowed down and anglers had Tricos, hoppers, terrestrials and nymph fishing. Near the end of August the Crane Fly hatch was prolific. August had good flows and fewer anglers. September had Crane Fly fishing as the river cooled down as well as hopper and nymph fishing. In October the Browns started to spawn and the fish got more aggressive. We had good flows for the 2011 season and good fishing through the end of October. Since the Beaverhead is a tailwater fishery it has consistent fishing throughout the season. It is known as a fish producing factory due to its nutrient rich waters. The fish will be monsters this next coming season due to the excellent water flows.
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. April fishing is some of the best of the season due to few people and willing fish. We filmed a segment on Madison Spring Fishing for the Outdoor Channel Familiar Waters with Mike Pawlawski last year. The middle to end of June saw high water. The Salmon Fly Hatch came off late this year. The Caddis hatch was heavy after that throughout July and early August. Then hoppers and terrestrials kicked-in for August and September. Streamer fishing picked 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 level in the reservoir was good this year. And, the water storage looks good for 2012.
We had a busy 2011 Season. Our loyal return cliental are already firmly ensconced in the books for 2012. All of us at Backcountry Angler join in expressing our appreciation and thank-you for your continued friendship and patronage. It is because of you that our season was a great success.
Time has a way of passing so quickly that we sometimes loose track of our priorities in life. If you have any inkling of fishing the Dillon area make sure we get you in the loop and on the books now. We are very fortunate to have many rivers to chose from thereby having a fishing season that goes from late March through October. We are presently full during certain time periods for the 2012 season but we can always fit you in if you are somewhat flexible on your dates in 2012.
As another season of fishing approaches we anticipate again the wonders of nature and relaxation in the outdoors of which we all need. Do you remember your feelings when you are on a beautiful stream with your fly rod in hand - a strike hits - the beauty of the fish caught - the gentle release back its own habitat - looking around at all the scenery of the hills, mountains, trees, and sagebrush - listening to the rush of the water - the stillness of the stream. Life is too short and too hectic to let these moments escape even for a year.
We hope to hear from you soon and see you fly fishing Montana in 2012. We are looking forward to a great fishing season. Treat yourself to the beauty of nature and a wonderful time away from your day-to-day existence. We anticipate hearing from you. Come Join Us!
Best Regards & Good Fishing,
Tom & Mary
The most often asked question is:
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO FISH IN MONTANA?
The answer is “WHENEVER YOU CAN GET HERE.” We have numerous waters to choose from and usually point our rigs towards the rivers that are fishing the best. We start fishing in April and fish through the end of October. April and May can be great fishing with a solitary experience, spring storms are possible. The Big Hole is a star this time of year! PRIVATE SPRING CREEKS are optimal for dry fly fishing NOW. Beatis, Midges and early Caddis are possible. October - the later the better if you want solitude. Fall storms are possible, but it could also be 60+ degrees. Streamer fishing for the BIG BROWNS.
HATCH CHART
BEAVERHEAD RIVER Tail water clear all year can be good on dries & streamer, nymphs good all year
April1 May1 June1 July1 Aug1 Sept1 Oct1 Nov1
Baetis & Midges PMD__________ Craneflies Baetis
Mother's Day Caddis Caddis______ Terrestrials Streamers_
Yellow Sallies_Tricos
BIG HOLE RIVER run-off 1st week of June free flowing river no dams can be good on dries & streamers, nymphs all year
April1 May1 June1 July1 Aug1 Sept1 Oct1 Nov1
Baetis Salmonfly Caddis___ Tricos & Terrestrials
Mother's Day Caddis PMD________ Streamers(solitude)
Skawala Drake Golden Stones_ Spruce Moths_ Baetis_______
MADISON RIVER run off mid-June, lots of riffles, pocket water, nice runs lower sections can be good on dries & streamers, nymphs all year especially good in April/May.
April1 May1 June1 July1 Aug1 Sept1 Oct1 Nov1
Streamers Salmonfly Terrestrials_____Fall Streamers___
Drakes Caddis_________
Baetis & Midges Flavs & Yellow Sallies
RUBY RIVER tailwater can be good on dries & streamers, nymphs all year
April1 May1 June1 July1 Aug1 Sept1 Oct1 Nov1
Baetis & Midges PMD___________ Tricos Terrestrials Baetis__
Craneflies____ Fall Streamers
POINDEXTER SLOUGH A public spring creek, technical, can be good on dries & streamers, nymphs all year
April1 May1 June1 July1 Aug1 Sept1 Oct1 Nov1
Baetis PMD____________Tricos Terrestrials Baetis
HIGH MOUNTAIN LAKES & STREAMS can be a great option for those willing to do a little hiking in beautiful country. Lots of willing fish and awesome scenery, few if any people. Hatches depend upon the elevation and time of year. Hatches include numerous Mayflies, Caddis and Terrestrials throughout the season.
