Big Hole River
river in Montana
A freestone gem that flows through diverse terrain, offering some of the best technical dry fly fishing in the Rocky Mountain West.
River flow last 30 days
Terrestrial fishing remains solid with hoppers
- 01Terrestrial fishing remains solid with hoppers, ants, and beetles still active.
- 02Larger October Caddis are becoming a significant factor, prompting aggressive strikes.
- 03Fall hatches of Blue-Winged Olives (BWOs) and Mahogany Duns are beginning to appear.
- 04Aggressive trout are taking larger terrestrial and early fall attractor patterns.
- 05Nymphing with weighted patterns and swinging streamers remain effective for subsurface feeders.
Past reports week by week
12 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Schroeder’s Parachute Hopper
Terrestrial fishing remains strong in early fall, and this hopper pattern is excellent for attracting opportunistic Rainbow Trout.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Fall hatches of Blue-Winged Olives are beginning to appear, and this low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout feeding on emergers and adults.
October Caddis (Dry)
October Caddis are becoming a significant factor as fall progresses, making this a prime imitation for the largest caddis hatch of the year in western rivers.
Buy at AmazonChernobyl Ant
Larger terrestrial patterns like the Chernobyl Ant are still active and effective as early fall attractors for aggressive trout.
Buy at AmazonMahogany Dun
Fall hatches of Mahogany Duns are beginning to appear, offering consistent dry fly opportunities for trout.
Buy at AmazonWoolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile and reliable streamer, the olive Woolly Bugger effectively imitates leeches and baitfish, which are consistent food sources for aggressive trout in cooling fall waters.
Tungsten Bead Pat's Rubber Legs
This weighted stonefly nymph is excellent for getting deep in the current, mimicking large dislodged insects, a crucial tactic in fall as trout feed subsurface.
Buy at AmazonFlashback Pheasant Tail Nymph
An excellent general searching nymph, mimicking various mayfly nymphs that are active year-round and particularly as BWO activity picks up in fall.
Where to fish and who to ask
Glen Access
The heart of the salmonfly action in June, located in a scenic canyon.
Wisdom Bridge Access
A beautiful upstream access point popular for wade anglers looking for cutthroat and grayling.
Get Big Hole River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Montana season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Best Fly Fishing Waders of 2025 – Breathable vs. Neoprene
Expert comparison of breathable and neoprene waders with top 2025 models for every budget and fishing condition.
Felt vs. Rubber Sole Wading Boots: What's Legal Where
Essential guide to felt vs. rubber sole wading boots, plus state-by-state regulations to keep you legal on the water.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Quick answers
Common questions about Big Hole River.
What flies work best on Big Hole River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Big Hole River right now are Chernobyl Ant (95% confidence), Schroeder’s Parachute Hopper (95% confidence), Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun (95% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Big Hole River?
Big Hole River holds Rainbow Trout. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Big Hole River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Big Hole River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Big Hole River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Big Hole River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.