Evening fishing abruptly ends, when a storm arrives on the Big Hole River.  

To put the minimum flow figure in perspective, when the Big Hole was closed to fishing for a few months starting in August of 1994,the flow was measured at the Melrose gauge around 130 cfs.

Fishing Season: The Big Hole is a river in which fishing is very much influenced by the seasons. Fluctuation in water flow, and consequently high water temperatures, is the key reason the fishing drops off and this can be attributed to a variety of reasons . . . Water flow information is available from the USGS in Helena (406) 449-5263. The gauging station is located between Melrose and Glen, and when planning a float trip down the Big Hole it is a good idea to call first . . . Records show that the average flow of the Big Hole over a 64 year period was 1,162 cfs.

Spring: Winters in the Big Hole Valley can be quite severe. Temperatures are often brutal, dropping well below zero. When the upper river begins to thaw in spring, good fishing is not far off. In fact, you can fish much of the river whenever there is open water. During early spring the water level on the 'Hole' will normally be low. Not like summertime lows, but low nonetheless. 

March will see a slight rise in the river, but it isn't until April and May that there is a significant increase in volume due to snow melt. Fishing during this time can be interesting. The upper river and its tributaries are good places to focus your attention, while there is ample water to fish them. It is also a time when you see few anglers on the river. 

Spring hatches on the Big Hole start, as in most western rivers, with midges as soon as there is open water. If afternoons are particularly warm, trout will rise to adults, even if there is still ice around the edges of the stream. Wire pupas such as the Brassie work well, as do many midge pupa imitations. For the adults on top, its hard to beat the Griffith's Gnat tied in size 16 or 18.

Hatches will be in full-swing by late April and May. The floating angler should pay special attention to the banks, foam lines and structure, making a point to anchor or get out and fish these areas thoroughly. Caddis and mayfly hatches can produce top-water feeding frenzies that trigger hot action to those who happen to be on the water when its going on. Nearly any caddis pattern properly presented this time of year in this stretch of river is a safe bet.

During a normal year, with normal snow-melt and runoff, the salmonfly hatch will begin early to mid-June. Anglers descend upon the Big Hole in masses to take part in the frenzy. This is the busiest time of year on the 'Hole,' and the river can become quite crowded with boats as well as bank anglers. Outfitters from all over the state guide the Big Hole during the salmonfly hatch, and, their presence, although legal, is quite the controversy among local guides. After the salmonfly hatch, fishing pressure on the 'Hole' drops dramatically, even though angling is still very good . . . caddis and mayfly hatches are abundant, and are pretty much widespread throughout the entire river.

Summer: 

June sees a major change in the flow of the river. Irrigation demand is heavy and, with the watershed drying up by late June like it has for the past several years, the flow of the 'Hole' is greatly reduced, on average, from its peak of around 4,200 cfs at the first of the month, down to around 1,200 cfs by the end of June. 

Early summer fishing is good though. Caddis are the predominate hatch, with some smaller stoneflies and again, a variety of mayflies. It is wise to remember that there are some real monsters in this river and the light tippets that produce 'the most' strikes will most likely fail if you hook a true pig. It's a bit of a trade-off; light tippet, dry fly - lot of fish or heavy tippet, big streamer - and maybe a trophy. 

It's a tough call sometimes, especially when you snap a large fish off that rose to your fly. What I like to do, especially when floating, is to have two rods rigged, one with a floating line and dry fly, the other with a big nymph or streamer. That way I can fish the water more thoroughly and up my odds of hooking Mr. Big.

Fall:  Traditionally, fall is my favorite time on the water. And the Big Hole has been good to me in the fall. The period of time in fall when night temperatures have cooled the water down enough to make fish active again, all the way to ice-up can be a productive time for monster hunting.

In fall, Baetis mayflies can be important during hatches, which occur during the warmest part of the day. A tiny, number 18 or 20 BWO or Black Baetis can take a surprising number of fish if you find an area where a good hatch is coming off. Watch along the banks close to good holding water. Trout move to the edge of the faster current and sip in the small mayflies right on the current seam. Takes are often very subtle, so keep a close watch on your fly and leader. 

You can find good Baetis beds along the entire river system. I prefer to fish the canyon stretch near Divide when the Baetis are on, and during the periods when nothing is hatching, I will bounce a nymph along the bottom through the deeper water with hopes it will find its way into the mouth of a big brown. 

As the water temperatures cool down below the 40 degree mark, trout will be harder to make contact with and whitefish hookups will be more frequent.

Winter:  At times trout can be taken during winter months but are usually "incidental catches" by those fishing for whitefish. There are some monster whitefish in the Big Hole, and they seem to be very plentiful. There is an extended whitefish season on the Big Hole from December 1 to the third Saturday in May with maggots and/or artificial flies and lures only. Due to the abundance of these fish, the limit is 100, [at this writing, always check local regulations.

Although the winters can be cold and river ice can interfere with fishing for whitefish, there are places on the stream where conditions let you fish for whitefish for a good part of the winter season. Catches by those targeting whitefish are usually high.

Information provided by Frank Amato Publications "River Journal Series"  We greatly appreciate their information and permission.