Fishing Season: Spring

Big Hole River - MT

Fishing Outlook & Conditions

Water Temp:

69

Craig Fellin Outfitters & Big Hole Lodge's Tip of the Week

Warmer summer temperatures are coming in Southwest Montana. As water temperatures begin to climb in the weeks ahead, be sure to check the water temperature with a thermometer and reel up when temps reach 68 degrees fahrenheit! Trout prefer colder water temperatures and cannot fully recover after being caught and handled at 68 degrees or higher.

Directions open in app

Map of Big Hole River

Water Flow Data

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby

Big Hole Lodge
Madison Valley Ranch
The Tackle Shop Outfitters

5-Day Outlook as of 7/13/26

The river is open to fishing from the headwaters in the Jackson/ Wisdom to the confluence with the Beaverhead and Jefferson rivers. Flows are currently dropping.

Techniques & Tips as of 7/13/26

Dry- dropper and dry fly fishing are the best techniques at this time.

Local Species Available Spring

  • Fish Icon

    Trout

Craig Fellin Outfitters & Big Hole Lodge's Recommended Fly Patterns

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Name: Colors: Size(s):
Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer Black #4-8
Bead Head Hare's Ear Flashback Natural #16
Fly Formerly Known As Prince Brown #14-16
Stimulator Yellow #14
Chubby Duo Hopper Salmon #6
Chubby Purple #10-12
Elk Wing Caddis Grey #16
Larson's Legend Golden Stone Dry Yellow #12
Flexi-Girdle Bug Brown #4-8
The Worm Red #8

Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer

Every angler needs an assortment of these weighted attractor Bead Head Woolly Bugger Streamer flies.

2.49

Item #0311

Buy Now

Craig Fellin Outfitters & Big Hole Lodge's Recommended Gear

Description: About Big Hole River

From its headwaters near Jackson, the Big Hole meanders 150 miles to its confluence with the Ruby and Beaverhead which form the Jefferson River. It is a river rich not only in historical importance, but also in its ability to produce wild trout- and large ones at that. In certain sections of the river, there are approximately 3,500 trout per mile with a substantial percentage in the 18-20" class. The renowned beauty of the river with its towering peaks of more than 10,000 ft. upstream of Dickey Bridge and secluded Maiden Rock Canyon makes this more than just a famous trout fishery. The Big Hole is really a special place, and as you float by a stretch like the Ralston Ranch above Wise River, you can almost picture the stagecoach stop the family operated in 1910 and the teams of horses that fed and rested there. Where else can you have the chance to catch a brown, rainbow, cutthroat and brook trout along with a grayling all in one day?

Nearest Airport:

Butte

Hatches:

Yellow Sally PMD Caddis

Best Time to Fish:

11 am to 7 pm

Best Stretch:

Divide - Melrose

Best Access:

Salmonfly/ Melrose FAS