Fall

The Big Hole is absolutely one of the most spectacular fall fisheries on the planet. The scenery is almost enough to draw your attention away from the fish at times. The brown trout seem to mirror the colors of the cottonwoods and alders lining the river corridor. The water has that dark, mysterious tannin color that contrasts starkly and beautifully with the foliage and the fish chasing your streamers. like most fisheries during the late summer and fall months here, the Big Hole tends to benefit from the inevitable weather changes we’re now seeing. Clouds, cool and moisture really seem to get the fish fired up and such has been the case here over the past few days. The seasonal imperative to spawn doesn’t hurt either. Fall streamer time is here. For many folks this is the best of the best. A time when big flies, big rods and big fish are the norm rather than the exception. And this year, like most, it couldn’t come at a better time. After late summers fussy, nitpicky fishing with tiny flies, thin tippet and generally small fish, it’s a welcome change of pace. There is nothing better than waking up at a reasonable hour to a fresh brewed pot of coffee and slushy rain dropping straight down from a dismally, gray sky. You know, just KNOW that this is gonna be a great day. You can even rig up the rods at the house knowing full well that an olive or black articulated streamer on 0x and a 7 weight and a size 20 Parachute Adams on a four for the pods of baetis eating noses will be all you’ll need. Brew an extra pot of coffee for the thermos…maybe even add a dash of something stronger. Throw together a sandwich from last nights dinner and open the door for that bouncing, whining, drooling bundle of furry excitement so he can burn around the yard for a few minutes before getting in the truck….he knows too. If you’re on foot there’s plenty of access off the gravel roads that follow the river for most of it’s length. Run and gun…drive up river until you see a spot that looks juicy, maybe an irrigation headgate, channel confluence or mid-stream, gravel bar seam. look for noses in the soft water or foam line first…if not work that streamer deep. This is a good time of year to break out the sink-tip or Streamer Express. If you’re in a boat you’ve got a decided advantage. I love the lower floats on this river. That Notch to Pennington run can be awesome. LOTS of great streamer water and tons of slower, baetisy seams and foam lines. Outside of a slow, confident rise to a Salmonfly dry there is nothing more exciting than a fish streaking out from the bank to nail your double bunny. Even the misses are fun. At just over 500 cfs at the Glen gauge, the river is at a perfect level for both wading and floating forays. This is arguably the best time of year here in Montana. if you’ve never done it do yourself a favor and come check it out.

Stay tuned for continuing River updates!

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