Picking up

The Big Hole was not an easy fishery the past couple of weeks, but it seems like it has improved this week. Water temperatures from Jerry Creek to Dead Zone have stayed in the fishable range, and we anticipate that it will remain that way. The Hoot Owl restrictions remain in place above Dickie Bridge and below Dead Zone, which means no fishing is permitted from 2 PM to midnight. Hopefully we will see these lift in the coming weeks as the night-time temperatures drop, and daylight hours become shorter.

The trico hatch has finally dropped to the river..about 2 and half weeks late, but better late than never. The spruce moths are still scarce. We have still been having luck with terrestrials; hoppers and ants being best. If you’re getting looks, but not eats, change the size of your hopper!

Our guides have been busy fishing waters across the region..The Beaverhead is still producing some really nice fish. The Blackfoot is getting skinny, but fishing well on a Hopper dropper in the afternoons, and the Madison has produced some good fishing as well. We are getting some smoke in the air because of the fire burning to the southwest of Clark Canyon Reservoir. A wind shift should clear it out, fingers crossed.

Recommended flies: Purple Haze Cripple #20, Black Comparadun #18-20, Organza Trico #18-20, Flopper #10-12, Pink Hopper, Black & Red Ant #14, Micro Mayfly (Black) #18, Hackled Dazzler #18, TJ Hooker Black #12

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