Water Levels

This has already been one of the best seasons on the Big Hole in many, many years and if things keep up the way they are the best could be yet to come. After a seriously concerning lack of snow last winter the wet spring turned out to be a huge savior. The continuing afternoon thunderstorm cycle we’ve had here all summer has kept this and most other rivers in outstanding shape. The flow right now at the Melrose gauge is well above average for this time of year at just a hair over 600 cfs. This is just about a perfect level for both float and wade fishing over here. That along with those afternoon storms have kept the water temperature in a very trout friendly range as well. Hatches have been prolific and continue to be so pretty much daily. There are still PMDs here and we’re staring to see some BWOs and quite a few tricos in spots. There are still lots of caddis and Yellow Sallys as well. The fish have started looking for hopper too although there’s not a ton of them on the banks the trout have obviously seen them. Getting quite a few bigger fish to look up for a hopper pattern. Cloudy days can be especially good for the dries if you catch a window of cloudy windlessness you’ll probably find some noses in the quieter water. This time of year, wherever you fish, you’ll want some ant patterns in your box. Sometimes these work when nothing else will.

Stay tuned for continuing River updates!

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