Beating Summer’s Fly Fishing Doldrums on the Beaverhead

August isn’t always the best month for fly fishing in the northern Rockies and recent stream closures around the state, including full restrictions on some portions of the Big Hole River, support that notion. However, if you just put a rod in the rack and don’t take a chance, you could miss out on some awesome fishing during a nice time of the year. For instance, if you’ve always thought, I should fish southwest Montana’s Beaverhead River, my suggestion would be to get in the rig and drive there now.

A few cool things happen at this time of year on the Beaverhead. First, craneflies are on the water and anglers can “skate up” some big trout on top. Caddis, too, make the evening hours super-productive and fun. Early mornings are equally productive, especially with those craneflies.

Doubling up on the Beaverhead.

One of the reasons I like fishing the Beaverhead is the chance to catch a real monster. There are 20-plus inchers to have on any day and there are probably more five-pounders here than almost anywhere else in the state. But don’t take my word for it—check out the images I’m posting here, which are courtesy of Tonic fan and western Montana guide Jed Fitzpatrick at Sula Fly Fishing. He fished the Beaverhead a week or so ago and fired back the pics your seeing here. They made me really, really jealous. Don’t let the heat and smoky skies keep you down—pick up that rod and go.

I’ll take browns like this one all day!

In addition: Here’s a recent report from Tim Tollett at Frontier Anglers in Dillon. Stop in and grab some flies on your way to the Beaverhead.

Beaverhead River – August 17th, 2013
Recorded:86 ° F Fishing: Excellent
Fishing on the Beaverhead is in a late summer pattern right now, which means a few things – Fantastic caddis fishing in the evenings, awe-inspiring streamer fishing in low-light conditions, and of course, Craneflies! We’re having great success all over the Beaverhead River on a variety of techniques right now, and everything from the dam down here through town is fishing very well right now.

On the upper Beaverhead, nymphing has still been extremely productive and the trout are eating a diversity of bugs – sowbugs, caddis larvae, small mayfly nymphs, yellow sallies, midges, snails, and a few other assorted insects. It pays off right now to cycle through your fly box to find the flavor of the day. We’re still seeing PMDs and Sallies during the day, but the evening caddis dry fly fishing has been the highlight of the day for those guys who really enjoy throwing dries. Swinging soft hackles and caddis emergers is also a good way to pick up some fish right now, and we’re seeing caddis from sz. 12 to sz. 16, so be prepared with a good selection of bugs.

Almost too big for the net.

In low-light conditions, throwing Zonkers, pumping Yuk Bugs, and skating craneflies are all catching their fair share of fish. Stop in the shop for some of our custom craneflies and we’ll point you in the right direction if you’ve never skated these big bugs before. The streamer fishing will only get better as we get closer to September, and Zonkers in white, pearl, and copper should all have a prominent place in your Beaverhead fly box for the next few weeks.

Flows are slowly dropping now and will continue to decrease in the foreseeable future. Wade fishing and wade access are great, especially in the stretch between Grasshopper Creek and High Bridge, where there are multiple public access spots and lots of public land. Also, there are no closures or restrictions at all on the Beaverhead, so it is no problem to take advantage of the great evening caddis fishing that we’ve been experiencing.

As you get closer to town, the terrestrial fishing gets more consistent and flying ants and grasshoppers are catching a lot of fish. Dry/Dropper is a great technique right now, and don’t be afraid to change through your droppers until you find the right one for the day.

Give us a ring at the shop and get up-to-the-minute reports on conditions, flows and bug activity. (800) 228-5263

Your Fly Box
Craneflies – sz. 6-8
Beadhead Sparkle Pupas – sz.10-14
Translucent Emergers – Tan, Olive, Green sz. 12-16
Elk Hair Caddis – Tan, Olive sz. 12-16
X-Caddis – Tan, Olive sz. 12-16
Zug Bugs – sz. 12-16
Copper Johns – Red, sz. 14-18
Prince Nymphs – sz. 12-18
Grand Hoppers – Tan, Yellow sz. 8-14
MoJoe Hoppers – Tan, Yellow sz. 8-12
Parachute Hoppers – Tan, Amber sz. 8-12
Flying Ants – sz. 14-16
Rainbow Warriors – sz. 14-18
Lightning Bugs – Silver, sz. 14-18
Sparkle Spiders – BWO, PMD sz. 16-18
Organza Rusty Spinner – sz. 16-18
Keller’s Rocky Mountain Mint – Purple, PMD sz. 16-18
Cranefly Larvae – sz. 8
Mercer’s Micro Stones – sz. 14-18
Split Back Emergers – sz. 16-18
Micro Mayflies – Olive,Yellow and Brown sz. 18
Flashback or BH Pheasant Tails Sz. 18
B.H. Bubbleback PT Sz. 18
Master Nymph Baetis Sz. 18
Tungsten Tailwater Tiny’s Sz. 20 in Rust, Olive, Gold
Soft Hackle Sowbug Sz. 16
MVP’s in olive & brown Sz. 16,18
Zebra Midges in Red & Black Sz. 20
P.T Cruzers. olive, Brown/yellow Sz. 16-18
Pink, Grey and Tan Scuds Sz. 14,16
Ray Charles – Gray, Tan, Orange, Pink sz. 14-18
Zonkers – White, Pearl, Copper sz. 2-6
Bellydacers – White, Yellow sz. 4
Sparkle Spiders – BWO, PMD sz. 18
Get R Dun – BWO, PMD sz. 18
Smidgets – Lt. Olive, Olive sz. 16-18

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