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Big
Hole River
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This wild and undammed river, one of only 17 remaining in the
United States, is arguably the prettiest river in the west. Coursing approximately
110 miles in a giant S from its origin in the Pioneer Mountains above Jackson,
Montana, the Big Hole winds and rushes in every imaginable configuration through
high alpine valleys, steep walled canyons and broad agricultural plains. Its
long journey twists and turns through and by the McCartney, Pioneer, Pintler,
Ruby, Tobacco Root and Highland Mountains until the eventual confluence with
the Ruby and the Beaverhead in Twin Bridges, the headwaters of the Jefferson
River. 
The Big Hole is a prolific river varying from 600 to 800 fish per mile in its upper, more sterile reaches hold close to 2,500 fish per mile below Melrose and Maiden Rock Canyon. This river can be wade fished or floated, floating being the generally preferred means of access. Public accesses are spaced conveniently throughout its entire length for both wade access and floats of varying duration. Its upper reaches, with average flows varying between 200 and 400 cfs, are home to one of the last remaining populations of arctic grayling in the continental United States. Good sized brook trout, rainbow and the occasional monster brown populate these alpine waters. The Wise River tributary can be excellent fishing, particularly dry fly fishing; in the months of June, July, August and September.
The mid portion of the river can see dramatic increase in flow of 500 to 700 cfs, due to snow melt, rain showers and irrigation. The stretch from Divide to Glen includes the stunningly beautiful Maiden Rock Canyon, a favorite of day floaters from around the world. Maiden Rock and the middle Big Hole is home to populations of trophy browns and rainbows. Fish average 15" to 17" but there are many larger fish in excess of 20". Dry fly fishing is exceptional and there are bruisers enough to make the most ardent streamer fisherman grin ear to ear as fish begin to move upstream into the canyon in late summer and early fall to spawn.
The lower river begins to braid below Glen. It does not get
a great deal of pressure and has so
me
of the largest big fish populations in the entire river. Many braids are Ruby
sized, easy to wade, wonderful small stream experiences off the main channel.
Rainbows and browns 16" to 18" with a few over 20" populate this reach. This
is some of the prettiest country on earth. Rolling high desert foothills,
looming snow capped peaks in every direction, the slightly tea colored waters
of the Big Hole, and a variety of water structure and pockets stretched out
under an endless blue sky. This river and its moods are ever changing. Flows
can vary from 200 or 300 cfs to 10,000 cfs in the course of 30 days. High
flows can make for dangerous floating. Prolific hatches of the famous salmon
fly, caddis, drakes and stone flies begin usually in the mid part of June.
Many consider the last two weeks of June and first week of July to be among
the three best on this famous river. Regulations vary widely along this river
and should be consulted carefully before fishing.
Generally
speaking, grayling are catch and release; there is a strict slot and harvest
limit in the middle part of the river including the Maiden Rock Canyon, which
is closed for both the fall brown trout and spring rainbow trout spawn. Many
of the spawning tributaries were recently declared either closed or catch
and release for cutthroat and rainbow trout.
This Class I water is one of the very finest in the United States, and extremely productive days for big fish and beautiful settings can be enjoyed on this incredible river with which dams have not tampered. Country Roads LLC, and Ranches of the West are proud to manage ranches providing private access to more than 30 miles of various reaches of the Middle and Lower Big Hole and its tributaries, including fantastic wade access fishing, and private float boat take out and launching areas.
Country Roads LLC |
