Big Hole River Fly Fishing Report
Latest Big Hole River Reports
- Spring Fishing On The Big Hole
Spring Fishing on the Big Hole has arrived. It has been winter like weather but that is going to change this weekend. Highs in the upper 50’s and lower 60’s this weekend will make for some nice fishing. The Big Hole is dropping and clearing and should be great shape this weekend. Water temperatures are still cold and the fish will be in the slower buckets. We have been nymphing with our best success. Flows are around 800cfs and should continue to drop or stay stable. You will find hatches of midges right now. Skwallas are still about a week out. Water temperatures need to get up into the upper 40’s to 50’s to get the Skwala hatch going. A solid window of spring fishing is here until the next push of water from snowmelt. The Big Hole basin is currently at 96% of average in snowpack.
Recommended Flies:
- Pat’s Stone olive/brown #8
- San Juan Worm #8
- Zebra Midge #16
- Shop Vac #16
- J.J. Special #6
- Bow River Bugger #6
- Big Hole River Opening Day
The Big Hole River opening day is tomorrow, April 1st. We are looking forward to celebrating our 20th year in business in 2025. Our shop will be open at 9:00 am tomorrow and open daily for the Spring season. We will be running shuttles and open with many fishing goodies in stock. Our lodging opens this week and we still have some availability for our Spring Special.
The conditions of the Big Hole are not ideal right now but improving daily. The ice on the upper river has broken free last week and it has caused the flows to come up and the river to be off color. The river seems to be stabilizing and should drop in flows in the next 24- 36 hours due to cooler temperatures. Once the river drops in flow we should have great fishing. Boats will be out this week and we will give you reports as soon as we have them. We are looking forward to a great season. Snowpack in the Big Hole drainage is 95% for this date in time. We are expecting to have a good water year and plenty of healthy fish in the river system. We will see you in the shop or on the water.
- Montana Snowpack Update
We have your Montana snowpack update as we enter the middle of the winter season. It was a brisk -15 degrees here this morning but it looks like temperatures will get back into the 20’s in a few days. The Montana snowpack is much better this year compared to last year at this time. The Big Hole and Beaverhead drainage is sitting at 80% of normal snow water equivalent at this time. We still have 90 more days until our snowpack has peaked, so plenty of winter left to increase our percentages. It is still too early to predict streamflows for the spring and summer season. We usually will know streamflows for the spring in summer once April comes around. Updates will be coming from us throughout the winter and spring season as the snow piles up for outdoor enthusiasts.
We are looking towards a great 2025 fishing season. Fish health this past fall was found to be fantastic in the brown trout and rainbow trout in the Big Hole and Beaverhead Rivers. We will start our season April 1st with our Spring Special. This year we are taking the Spring Special through May 15th. You will find great dry fly fishing opportunities in the Spring season. Hatches of Skwallas and Blue Winged Olives will dominate the menu for trout. Spring packages are 15% our regular season rates. Book your trip today.
Job Position Available:
Sunrise Fly Shop Manager Position:
Sunrise Fly Shop is searching for a qualified and hard working individual to manage our fly shop. This is a fun environment filled with passion for fly fishing on the legendary Big Hole River in Melrose, Montana.
- Manage marketing and growth of online store.
- Inventory accuracy and order fulfillment
- Social Media Marketing and email marketing
- Manage, promote, and grow Sunrise Fly Shop’s social media
- Inventory management and inventory accuracy
- Weekly email news blasts highlighting online store, sales, and guide trips and fishing reports
- Help facilitate the accurate and efficient completion of all the day’s shuttles.
- Communicate with clients via email and telephone to book both guided trips and lodging
- Manage the stocking of merchandise and organize the backstock and back rooms
- Contact all clients that will be checking in within the next 24 hours and ensure that they have all the – logistical information that they might need for their upcoming trip
To apply email resume to: [email protected]
