It's the beginning of a new season in the Big Hole Valley, and we thought it was about time to update the website to modern times. We hope you like what you see, and we will be using all of this modern technology to update the river reports more frequently. Additionally, all of Big Al's past Blog posts have been kept in tact, and loaded up to the new site. This was no small feat (Thanks Callan, website guru). Now, on to what the heck is happening on the river in our corner of Montana.
Spring has not sprung around here. It has been cold and wet. Not a horrible problem to have, and we are hoping to keep the weather around for a bit longer. The upper river (above Wise River) is still frozen and jammed full of ice. The guides actually have a small bet on when that ice is going to break free. We think it will be in the next week to ten days, based on current weather reports. Below Jerry Creek, the river is floatable. Flows have been fluctuating quite a bit; they bump up during the day into the evening, and decrease late at night through the morning.
Now what about the fishing? Fishing has been difficult once the flows begin to increase, after lunchtime. We have been finding some fish rising on midges in the slow seams and back water, and have had success catching them on #18 Cripple patterns. For those wanting to fish streamers, it is the deep and slow game right now. Slowly dragging streamers off the banks, and allowing them to stay on the bottom has caught a few trout. We have been sticking to our trusty colors: Rusty Trombone, Smoke Sparkle Minnow and JJ's. Brighter colors should come in to play as the river gets dirty with fluctuations in flows. When in doubt, tie a worm on.
A few reminders:
Current hours Tuesday through Sunday 9 AM to 3 PM, open for shuttles. Jerry Creek and Divide boat ramps are closed due to ramp/parking lot construction (can still put in at Divide Campground).
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