The Big Hole is in great shape for this time of year. With flows over 1000 cfs at Maiden Rock and 2+ feet of visibility, there is plenty of water to float. The upper river has been open for a couple weeks but the water temps have kept the bugs to a minimum. From East Bank FAS down the water is warming up and the bugs are beginning to hatch. The BWO's, March Browns, and Skwallas have been showing up daily. Below Divide has been the most consistent fishing. Mid morning until early evening has been productive using dry droppers. The Skwallas (chubby or water walker) have been working well as the top bug, followed by a prince nymph, black bullet, or pheasant tail in a #14. Streamers have been working as well with the olive Mini Dungeon being our best producer.
Lia, Travis, and I, had a chance to get out yesterday on the Big Hole from Maiden Rock to Salmon Fly. We put in at 1:30 and the fishing was decent right off the bat. We had a few grabs on the Skwalla and a couple on the streamer before we made it through the first mile. The nymph started to pick up shortly after that. Most of the fish were decent rainbows and a few small browns, and surprisingly, no white fish.
The snow pack report is looking decent for this time of year. We are currently holding just under 80% of normal. We will be keeping our fingers crossed that May and June will bring us the moisture that we will need to keep the flows up and the hoot owl restrictions away come August.
The shop is open running shuttles Tuesday through Sunday this week and next week. Our hours are 9 am to 3 pm. In May we will be resuming our normal schedule of being open 7 days a week.
