Beaverhead RiverFishing report · river in Montana
Small and brushy, the Beaverhead is a challenging river where anglers sight-fish for some of the biggest trout in the state.
River flow last 30 days
What's working on Beaverhead River
- 01Terrestrial patterns like Hoppers and Ants remain effective, especially in early fall.
- 02October Caddis are becoming a significant factor, with adults emerging.
- 03Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) and Mahogany Dun hatches are starting to appear, offering dry fly opportunities.
- 04Larger fall attractors are enticing aggressive strikes.
Past reports week by week
14 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
October Caddis (Dry)
Explicitly mentioned in recent regional intelligence signals (Middle Fork & North Fork Flathead) as becoming a significant factor and a key fall hatch.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are consistently mentioned in recent regional intelligence signals (North Fork Flathead) as appearing in fall, and this pattern is excellent for selective trout.
Buy at AmazonMahogany Dun
Mahogany Duns are mentioned in recent regional intelligence signals (North Fork Flathead) as beginning to appear in fall, providing dry fly opportunities.
Buy at AmazonHopper
Recent regional intelligence signals (Middle Fork & North Fork Flathead) indicate terrestrial fishing, including hoppers, remains strong in early fall.
Woolly Bugger
Streamers are consistently effective for aggressive trout and whitefish in fall, imitating leeches and baitfish.
Buy at AmazonChernobyl Ant
Recent regional intelligence signals (Middle Fork Flathead) mention Chernobyl Ants as effective terrestrials and early fall attractors.
Buy at AmazonGlo Bug
Fall is a prime time for trout and salmon spawning, making egg patterns highly effective below redds.
Buy at AmazonPheasant Tail Nymph
General nymphs are year-round staples and are particularly effective in fall for trout and whitefish feeding on subsurface insects.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Barretts Diversion Dam
A lower river point known for trophy brown trout habitat and deeper pools.
Bighorn Access (Beaverhead)
The most popular access for wade fishing the famous tailwater stretch.
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Every Thursday: conditions, hatches and what's working across Montana, with Beaverhead River at the top.
Montana season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Quick answers
Common questions about Beaverhead River.
What flies work best on Beaverhead River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Beaverhead River right now are Chubby Chernobyl (95% confidence), October Caddis (Dry) (95% confidence), Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (90% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Beaverhead River?
Beaverhead River holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Beaverhead River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Beaverhead River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Beaverhead River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Beaverhead River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.