Big Hole River
The Big Hole River
Amazing hatches and breath-taking scenery, not to mention some seriously big fish, head up the reasons to take aBig Hole River
Without a doubt, this is one of the premier rivers in the lower 48. Float three sections and you’ll think you’ve been on three different rivers. Moreover, float the Big Hole at different times of the year, and you'll swear by it. Before runoff really gets cranking in late May, there is some fantastic fishing to be had on the Big Hole. In April, BWOs and Skwalas can provide some of the best dry fly fishing of the year. At this time of year, it will be a rarity to see anybody other than a handful of other equally savvy and excitable anglers on the water.
As soon as runoff hits the Big Hole in full force, that means one thing; Salmonflies are around the corner. Normally, fishing can be pretty darn good during runoff with streamers, caddis, and big stonefly nymphs as long as the river has good color. As soon as the river starts dropping or stabilizing, Salmonfly nymphs will begin to take big fish along the banks. This is the time of year when the biggest fish in the Big Hole become the most accessible to anglers. While rocks and boulders make their way downstream in the middle of the river, fish move to the banks and take up residence in the soft water. Once the big bugs start hatching, a variety of techniques will bring big trout to the net, especially slapping large dry flies along the banks.
Early summer brings moderate flows, prolific hatches, and fantastic dry fly fishing to all stretches of the Big Hole. Attractors, mayflies, caddisflies, and small stoneflies will all entice trout to the surface. Depending upon the previous winter's snowpack and the temperatures, stellar dry fly fishing can last all the way from late June through early August when the Spruce Moths arrive.
When people visualize the perfect trout stream they’re seeing the Big Hole. Hatches of mayflies are too numerous to list and they are accompanied by a variety of caddis hatches along with the famous Salmon Fly and Golden Stone fly hatches. Attractor patterns and streamer fishing, coupled with excellent nymphing, make the Big Hole an anglers delight.
Amazing hatches and breath-taking scenery, not to mention some seriously big fish, head up the reasons to take a
Without a doubt, this is one of the premier rivers in the lower 48. Float three sections and you’ll think you’ve been on three different rivers. Moreover, float the Big Hole at different times of the year, and you'll swear by it. Before runoff really gets cranking in late May, there is some fantastic fishing to be had on the Big Hole. In April, BWOs and Skwalas can provide some of the best dry fly fishing of the year. At this time of year, it will be a rarity to see anybody other than a handful of other equally savvy and excitable anglers on the water.
As soon as runoff hits the Big Hole in full force, that means one thing; Salmonflies are around the corner. Normally, fishing can be pretty darn good during runoff with streamers, caddis, and big stonefly nymphs as long as the river has good color. As soon as the river starts dropping or stabilizing, Salmonfly nymphs will begin to take big fish along the banks. This is the time of year when the biggest fish in the Big Hole become the most accessible to anglers. While rocks and boulders make their way downstream in the middle of the river, fish move to the banks and take up residence in the soft water. Once the big bugs start hatching, a variety of techniques will bring big trout to the net, especially slapping large dry flies along the banks.
Early summer brings moderate flows, prolific hatches, and fantastic dry fly fishing to all stretches of the Big Hole. Attractors, mayflies, caddisflies, and small stoneflies will all entice trout to the surface. Depending upon the previous winter's snowpack and the temperatures, stellar dry fly fishing can last all the way from late June through early August when the Spruce Moths arrive.
When people visualize the perfect trout stream they’re seeing the Big Hole. Hatches of mayflies are too numerous to list and they are accompanied by a variety of caddis hatches along with the famous Salmon Fly and Golden Stone fly hatches. Attractor patterns and streamer fishing, coupled with excellent nymphing, make the Big Hole an anglers delight.