Dillon Montana Fishing Report

We will be open for small business Saturday November 29th, stop in and stock up for Christmas!!  9am-3pm.

Beaverhead River 11/18/25

• The river between pipe organ and barretts is the only open section and fishing very well with all the nice weather we have been having.  Try nymphing some blue wing olive nymphs leading with a scud or san juan.  For the patient angler there was a decent olive hatch with a few tricky heads poking out!!

Jefferson River 9/13/25

• Fish are still slamming the hopper on certain banks, hanging a tnt jig produces more.  Don’t shy away from nymphing the deeper runs

Beaverhead River 9/13/25

• Weedy and off color but fishing ok in the right stretches.  Some areas around town and mid river have been the best.  Hopper dropper the way to go, stop in and see whats been working.

Jefferson River 9/5/25

• We have been on the Jeff for the last few days since it reopened and have had some great action.  Hopper dropper with some nice dry eats, streamers in the am and nymphing the deep runs.  

Beaverhead River 9/5/25

• Flows are dropping which has made wade fishing easy and fun.  Fish are still eating crane flies, and nymphing is good but still need to keep the flies clean from moss and grass 

Big Hole River 8/26/25

• closed entirely until further notice- hopefully some rains in the next few days and some conscious decisions to reopen there after 

Beaverhead River 8/26/25

• A bit weedy and off color but try a hopper dropper especially on the coming cloudy days and throw those crane flies there has been some awesome action 

Big Hole River 8/20/25

• Fishing awesome until 2.  Tricos are still around but the hatch is lasting a little shorter, 2 hours maybe, 9-11 the best.  Try a hopper dropper and find the deep runs.  

Big Hole River 8/16/25

• Remains under hoot owl so no fishing after 2pm.  Tricos are still strong from 9-11 ish and the nymphing has been great.  Lets hope water users can conserve a little so it doesnt have to shut down and we can all enjoy the resource.  Longer colder nights have produced some great water temps especially in the morning and the fish are responding to that.  

Beaverhead River 8/16/25

• The river is still very grassy but if flies kept clean it has been great. The early bird can have a blast on crane flies, and the hopper bite has been good.

Big Hole River 8/5/25

• Still under hoot owl restrictions so you have to be done by 2, however it is still fishing great!!  Tricos river wide and spruce moths on the upper stretches.  Hopper dropper getting better each day, and a rubberleg through the deeper fast runs as the nocturnal stones are crawling around.  

Beaverhead River 8/5/25

• Crane flies are out and what a blast.  River clarity comes and goes still with storms churning up the lake and try and keep those flies weed free.  Nymping still productive with san juans and pmd crawlers, baetis stuff.  Don’t shy away from a hopper they are looking for them.

Big Hole River 8/1/25

• Tricos in clouds at times, 9-11ish.  Never been better, remains under hoot owl so closed 2 om on.  

Beaverhead River 8/1/25

• Flows remain high but fishing is great!  Look out for some crane flies and hang on.  Pmds still flying and so are the sallies.  Don’t be afraid to throw some small hoppers too!

Big Hole River 7/27/25

• Fishing Awesome and still getting some great fish, get up early hoot owl remains so no fishing after 2.  Water temps have been excellent with the clouds and afternoon storms rolling through.  Tricos Tricos Tricos tons a fun for a few hours, look for spruce moths in the canyon and upper river as well!

Beaverhead River 7/27/25

• Flows are still big so boats are neccessary except for a few spots.  Still finding some fish sipping pmds, gotta keep the flies clean as the moss and grass is starting to float

Beaverhead River 7/20/25

• The Beav is still ripping right now but is fishing great.  The patient person can definitely get their fill on drys and the nymphing is amazing.  Pmds and sallies remain the focus.  A little weedy at times so keep those flies clean!!

Big Hole River 7/20/25

• The entire river has been under hoot owl restrictions so no fishing from 2 pm to midnight, that being said the fishing the last few days has been fantastic especially from 8-1pm.  Tricos have started and the dry fly fishing has been really fun

Beaverhead River 7/9/25

• Pmd’s and Sallies are out and a few fish sippin away.  Look hard but they can be found and caught.  Nymphing has been the most productive but nice to switch up when the opportunity comes.  

Big Hole River 7/9/25

• Get out early and off by the early afternoon, water temps are warming but the fishing remains great!!  Still good hatches of sallies, time to start the hopper drop as well.

Beaverhead River 7/4/25

• The river is at its best right now, pmds from 9-12 and sallies intermixed 11-2.  Find the dry eaters and nymph the rest.  San juans, pmd emergers and sallie nymphs working the best

Big Hole River 7/4/25

• Flows have leveled off but remain low, keep the daily rain coming its been awesome.  Still great fishing until early afternoon and still great numbers of sallies and caddis in the morning 

Beaverhead River 7/1/25

• heads are up and the pmds are going.  Some days between 9-12 some days 11-1, keep your eyes peeled for those sippers!

Big Hole River 7/1/25

• flows are dropping but the fishing remains absolutely amazing especially between 7-11 in the morning.  Bright sun and heat are getting to them in the afternoon but still good hatches of pmds and sallies.

Big Hole River 6/27/25

• This season has been one to remember so far, there hasnt been a more consistant dry fly bite in quite some time.  Caddis in the am, pmds and sallies in the early afternoon!!

Beaverhead River 6/27/25

• The pmd’s have arrived in masses and fish are starting to sip when you find them.  Nymphing is still the best, flows have settled down and the reservoir has turned some color so the fish can’t see us as well

Big Hole River 6/22/25

• Rain and snow today is bumping the flow on the river which is awesome.  For the dry fly angler caddis and pmds are going strong with some afternoon sallies.  Some big fish in the system this year and all looking fat and happy.  Underneath try some pmd nymphs, rubberleg stones, caddis emergers and dont be afraid of the shallow riffles.  

Beaverhead 6/22/25

• A little snow, a little rain this morning so all good in Montana.  Pmds are showing themselves more and more everyday, they should be looking up very soon.  Nymphing still the way to go with scuds, pmd stuff, and san juans.

Big Hole River 6/18/25

• The river continues to impress us both in abundance and size of the average fish this year.  All seem to be extremely healthy and have good weight on them. Sallies, PMD’s and caddies are around for the dry fly peeps, stone fly nymphs, pmd split backs and sallie nymphs are our top producers underneath.  

Beaverhead River 6/18/25

• Flows have dropped and hellooooo PMD’s. Although not a ton of dries yet, lots of crawlers and the fish are starting to key in on them a bit more.

Big Hole River 6/15/25

• The Salmon flies have come and gone but still seeing sporadic fliers along with goldens and sallies have started in places.  The fish on the middle and lower stretches have started to eat again after the salmon fly gorge.  Rubberlegs, caddis emergers, pmd nymphs the way to go.

Beaverhead River 6/15/25

• Fishing has really started to heat up, the fish are responding to steady flows and the emergence of a few pmds. Nymphing with san juans, split back pmd, baetis, and scuds are still the top producers.

Big Hole 6/10/25

• Salmon flies are still river wide from melrose all the way up to fishtrap.  The fish are getting plump but still smacking the big bugs in places.  Switch to pmd nymphs and caddis emergers when the fishing slows down with salmon flies

Beaverhead River 6/10/25

• Flows are still fluctuating but the insect life is picking up with mayfly crawlers and scuds.  Split backs, san juans, pyscho mays will do the trick.  

Beaverhead River 6/6/25

• Flows have leveled off and the fish are starting to eat more consistently all day.  Pmd crawlers, baetis, scuds still abound.  

Big Hole River 6/6/25

• Salmon Flies!!! Grab the big bugs and have some fun, we are seeing them river wide but concentrated canyon down.

Big Hole River 6/3/25

• What can we say but consistent!!!  We saw a few fluttering salmon fly early risers to the party but the hatch is still right around the corner will keep you updated.  Still good numbers of caddis and some pmd’s on the upper river 

Beaverhead River 6/3/25

• Flows still fluctuating, patience is the game.  Fishing hot one minute, guessing the next but keep those bugs rolling the flows will level out at some point.  San juans, baetis, midges and scuds still producing.

Beaverhead River 5/26/25

• Flows have been flucuating slightly and so has the fishing, hot one minute and scratching the next, by the end of the day still lots of fish and as always on the Beaverhead some beauties.  Scuds, Baetis, san juans, and midges still the top producers.  

Big Hole River 5/26/25

• The river remains in great shape before the next surge of snowmelt in the coming days, caddis are abundant and so are the fish, on the right days the dry fly fishing has been some of the best I’ve seen.

Beaverhead River 5/20/25

• What a crazy opening weekend, the faithful were out with their headlamps before sunrise staking out their favorite spots.  Flows remain low to save water but fishing is great.  Scuds, midges, baetis nymphs, and san juans will get the job done!!

Big Hole River 5/20/25

• The river is fishing about as good as it gets right now.  Still fishing a bunch below the surface with san juan worms, lightning bugs, prince nymphs and various caddis pupa but the caddis hatch has arrived and on the right warm cloudy day they are bubbling the surface

Upper Beaverhead Opening Saturday May 17th

• Stop in for the latest information and stock up on flies to make opening day fun and successful.  Its going to be awesome up there!

Beaverhead River 5/9/25

• We have been hitting the pipe organ section pretty hard the past week.  One day is fantastic and the next a challenge due to flow flucuation and some coloring from snow melt.  On the off color days we are getting some really nice fish in the 16-21 range and lots of spunky little ones on the clear days.  Fish numbers look fantastic.  San juan with a micro may or scud to baetis is best combo.  

Big Hole River 5/9/25

• The Big Hole has b een pretty fun the last few days.  After some needed rain and snow the flows have leveled and the fish must know that runoff is coming.  Caddis on the lower river with mixed march browns and baetis.  Leading with a san juan or pats rubberleg with a blue wing nymph or caddis pupa will get the job done.  Really nice weather this week so keep an eye on flows.

Beaverhead River 5/2/25

• Pipe Organ down and through town has been the best lately.  Also some caddis on warm afternoons and the olives are in abundance.  With clouds the dry fly fishing has been fun but nymphing still best.

Big Hole River 5/2/25

• Big Hole has had fluctuating flows with the weather but has been great when clarity is there.  A few caddis are showing up on the river and we managed to poke a few the other night.  The hatch is oh sooo close:)

Big Hole River 4/22/25

• The river has seen some color of late but it fluctuates with the weather.  Pats rubberlegs, prince nymphs and lightning bugs have produced lately.  Dont be afraid to still throw some squallas on the lower river.

Beaverhead River 4/22/25

• Fishing from Pipe Organ down remains consistent with afternoon hatches of BWO’s but nymphing a scud/san juan/baetis has been the most productive

Big Hole River 4/7/25

• We have been mainly on the lower river lately.  Clarity comes and goes but if patient the Sqwalla hatch has been excting on the right days.

Beaverhead River 4/7/25

• The river is in great shape and the fishing has been fantastic.  Scuds, midges, san juan worms are all you need 

Beaverhead/Bighole Rivers

• The opening of the Big Hole and some sections of the Beaverhead is on April 1st.  Stop in for up to date information on conditions, gear up with the right bugs and replace those old leaky waders.  See you out there!

Clark Canyon

• Ice has formed and the fishing has been decent on the south end of the lake and near the dam.  Finding good numbers of fish holding in 12-16 feet.

Beaverhead River 1/6/25

• The fishing has been decent as of late on the nicer days.  Scuds, san juans, baetis nypmhs and midges should be all you need

Beaverhead River 11/18/24

• I had the opportunity to get out a little the last couple weeks and the fishing between Pipe Organ and Grasshopper has been a blast.  Nymphing a san juan to a zebra midge or blue wing olive nymph has been the most productive combo or leading with a scud.  Streamer bite has been hit and miss but a ton of fun!

Big Hole River 10/2/24

• What a great end to the year we had on the big hole. The fish are in fantastic shape going into winter.  The river is now closed from dickie bridge down stream to its confluence with the beaverhead.  

Beaverhead River 10/2/24

• The river is now closed to fishing for the year between high bridge and pipe organ and again from barretts to its confluence with the big hole.  The section below pipe organ remains open and the streamer fishing has been fantastic

Big Hole River 9/28/24

• With a few days to go until its full closure on October 1st we have been having a blast on the big hole.  Great river temps and hungry fish.  Whatever your preferred technique they are all working

Jefferson River 9/28/24

• The jefferson remains a great option over the last week or so.  The streamer fisherman can have a lot of fun out there on the right days, nymphing a san juan and baetis is best and a few fish on top with blue wing olives

Big Hole River 9/23/24

• What can I say but its great to have the river open again and the fishing is awesome.  One last week before it closes again on October 1st.  On the right days there are hatches of blue wing olives and some nice fish sipping them.  Nymphing with various baetis patterns has been the most productive.  For the streamer guys they are hitting them hard.

Ruby River and Beaverhead

• Both rivers are a bit weedy but if flies are kept clean the fishing has been good.  Don’t be afraid to chuck some streamers or nymph a san juan with a trailing blue wing wing olive 

Jefferson River 9/18/24

• The Jefferson gets better and better each day with the colder temps and rain.  Streamer bite is worth the time and the olive hatches are worth looking for heads

Jefferson River 9/11/24

• With limited options because of the Big Hole closure we have been on the Jefferson and have been pleased.  Streamer bite is good to great on the right days and nymphing the deeper runs and pools with a san juan and baetis nymph have produced some excellent fish.

Beaverhead River 9/11/24

• Good flows, clarity pretty good, a little grassy….yes.  Nymphing baetis and san juans the best just keep those flies clean.  Streamer fishing has been picking up especially on these colder rainy days 

Beaverhead River 9/4/24

• The river has been hit and miss as of late but we are still catching some great fish.  Nymphing the deeper faster runs with a san juan and baetis nymph has been the most productive.  Remember to check those hooks for weeds and keep them clean.

Big Hole River 8/30/24

• The big hole river is closed to fishing until further notice.  The gauge at Glen has dipped below 150.

Big Hole River 8/27/24

• The river is still fishing great but water levels have really dropped, hopefully some fall rains come and water users hold what they aren’t using back.  That being said the trico hatch is still in full swing and the deeper riffles and runs are nymphing great.  The longer cooler nights have really improved the water temperature and the fish are really responding 

Big Hole River 8/23/24

• The river has been a ton of fun this past week.  Tricos are still hatching in large numbers and the fish are eating them like mad for a couple hours.  Nymphing the deeper holes and runs when the tricos are done has brought some great fish to the net.

Big Hole River 8/17/24

• Fishing is fantastic right now, recent rains and more flow have really improved things.  Tricos all morning and nymphing the deeper runs.  

Beaverhead River 8/17/24

• Flows have dropped dramatically on the river over the last week.  The lake has settled and the clarity on the river has been decent. Nymphing the deepest runs and riffles has been the most productive and the patient hopper fisherman is being pleasantly suprised.

Big Hole River 8/11/24

• Since the closing debacle it has since reopened and it has been fantastic.  Spruce moths and tricos are out in force and the dry fly fishing is great for a few hours in the morning 

 Beaverhead River 8/11/24

• The river continues to fish pretty well, weeds are starting to become a small thorn however we have been getting some fish on top with hoppers and still nymphing a san juan with a mayfly nymph below, streamers have also been good on the cloudy days.

Big Hole River 8/3/24

• As of today the entire river from Dickey Bridge down to its confluence with the Jefferson is closed to fishing.  As this was news to me because I was not invited to a meeting on determining the new drought management rules.  Mind you the rules are determined by a panel of 21-22 people of which 17 are ranchers and irrigators.  Anyone else think this has nothing to do with the fishery?  

Beaverhead River 8/3/24

• The lake was churned up by some storms and wind causing some clarit issues on the river but has since slowly cleared and the fishing is back.  Hoppers have been productive on the lower portions with nymphing a san juan worm to a pmd or sally nymph has been best on the upper river

Beaverhead River 7/29/24

• The river is in great shape and the fish are getting really fat.  Sallies and PMD’s are still the bug.  Please make sure fish are ready to swim away from and have been fully revived, they are battling hard and need some time to recover.

Big Hole River 7/29/24

• Flows are holding on and the recent cooler nights have really been a blessing to the fish.  Water temps are wonderful in the am and the fishing has been pretty darn good.  Tricos and spruce moths have been a fun dry fly game.

Big Hole River 7/25/24

• Tricos and Spruce moths have started, get out there early the fishing is still pretty darn good.

Beaverhead River 7/25/24

• The river is still high and the fishing has been fantastic, especially in the hours before 2.  Check out this Rainbow of the month.  Caught on a 6 weight with Scientific Angler Infinity fly line on a size 16 pyscho may.