River Reports and Photos

Orvis' Friday Film Festival

Click the photo for another edition of the OrvisNews.com Friday Film Festival, in which Orvis scours the Web for the best fly-fishing footage available.

By Big Hole Lodge on Friday July 20th, 2012

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Yeah! The Big Hole is healthy and the fish are fat!

By Big Hole Lodge on Thursday July 19th, 2012

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Big Hole

Big Hole Lodge

big hole river

Big Hole River Fishing Report

big sky

brown trout

Craig Fellin

craig fellin outfitters & big hole lodge

Orvisnews: The Big Hole Bounces Back!

http://www.orvisnews.com/FlyFishing/River-Report-Big-Hole-Bounces-Back.aspx

Thanks Orvis!

By Big Hole Lodge on Thursday July 19th, 2012

The Real McCoy!

Print 4x6-0879

Suzanne, of the Quality Chicks, with a huge spring creek brown!

By Big Hole Lodge on Wednesday July 18th, 2012

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The Shot In The Arm We Needed!

Last week temps in the 90's sucked the river down to a skinny 600 cfs in Melrose and a frightening 380 cfs in Wise River. Southwest Montana does not typically get much rain in the summertime, though brief afternoon showers are common this time of year. This year has been anything but typical. We hardly had winter until April and instead of a runnoff in late May, we had three mini-runoffs and the majority of our snow pack was gone by July. So it should not be surprising that our "April Showers" showed up in mid-July!

It showered, then drizzled, then poured this week as widespread storms rolled in from the South. Temps have been in the 70's and the river has jumped back to ABOVE historical average! In Melrose we are sitting comfortably at 1,090 cfs and at 600 cfs in Wise River!

By Big Hole Lodge on Wednesday July 18th, 2012

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And The Rains Came Down!

THANK YOU to everyone who has been diligently rain dancing for the West! Over the past few days we have received substantial rain in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Big Hole Valleys and the river has come up almost 300 cfs. Last week's 90 degree weather warmed the river sucked the irrigation water into the atmosphere at an alarming rate. This week, temps have been in the 70's and heavy isolated rain storms have brought much needed afternoon refreshers to the river. .

Keep dancing', we need more! (Oh, and PS, fishing has been really good. pictures to come)

By Big Hole Lodge on Monday July 16th, 2012

Goldens and Sallies

High above the 4th of July boat hatch on the Big Hole, was a healthy Yellow Sally hatch and several big Golden Stones yesterday. My sisters fished a big golden most of the day and brought several fish to the fly, despite the steady boat traffic.

Today is cloudy and cool, which should bring on the drakes and blue winged olives.

By Big Hole Lodge on Thursday July 5th, 2012

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The Most(est) Interesting Man In The World

John "Chic" Sconfienza

The man. The myth. The legend continues. For those of you who haven't met Chic, he is Montana.

By Big Hole Lodge on Saturday June 30th, 2012

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Chic Sconfienza

Cold nights, Hot Days, and Hatches Galore

Flow is perfect (wish we could freeze it here).

Nights have been in the 20's and 30's, days in the 80's and 90's.

When the wind is down we have PMD's, Drakes, Yellow Sallies, Goldens, and Caddis. When the wind is up they are chasing stone fly nymphs.

Fitchin' is goood!

By Big Hole Lodge on Thursday June 28th, 2012

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2nd Annual Big Hole River Day!

2nd Annual Big Hole River Day in Melrose, MT

July 21, 2012 8 AM to 9 PM

Agenda

8 AM Pancake Breakfast at Hitchin' Post by 4 H Club

10 AM Vendors, arts and crafts open

10 AM Fly tying, casting competition and rowing demos begin

10 AM Kid's Activities with FWP Tip-Mont trailer and RMEF SAFE shooting booth open

4 PM Vendors, demos and activities close and music by Mountain Moongrass Band begins

6 PM BBQ pig roast dinner, auctions and raffles

9 PM Drawing for Hyde Drift boat raffle (need not be present to win)

BBQ dinner tickets are $25 each and are on sale now. Purchase your ticket early as we sold out last year.

Auction items include Harvey Eckert artwork, Monte Dolack artwork, 2-night stay at Sportsman Motel, artwork, jewelry, Salvestrin wine, local arts and crafts and more.

Roasted pork dinner with all the trimmings courtesy of Ray Weaver and Hitchin' Post Restaurant.

Dinner Tickets

BBQ dinner ticket $25 each. Purchase by July 15th. After the 15th, tickets will be $30.

I would like to attend the dinner: Please call (866) 533-2473 no later than 5 PM, Friday July 20th to order by phone. Tickets can also be purchased at the event on Saturday, July 21st.

Hyde "Rocky Mountain Skiff" Drift Boat Raffle - Ready to Fish! (Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100)

Tickets are available in Butte at RD's Travel Stop, Bugs & Bullets, Fran Johnsons, StoneFly Fly Shop, and Three Bears. In Melrose/Divide at Great Divide Sports Shop, Sportsman Motel, Sunrise Fly Shop, and Hitchin' Post. In Wise River and Divide at Wise River Club, Dewey Bar and Wise River Merchantile. In Dillon at Frontier Anglers. In Twin/Sheridan at Four River Fishing Company.