We know we are a little late to the party, but this past weekend we have been busy helping out at the Dillon Jaycee PRCA Rodeo and Labor Day Concert. If you didn't get to attend, well you missed a great show! The Dillon Jaycees are an asset to Beaverhead County, and we are grateful to be a part of this wonderful organization!
Now, onto the Big Hole update: The Entire Big Hole River is currently closed to all fishing. Per the Big Hole Watershed Committee Drought Management Plan, sections will be re-opened when average daily flow at the measurement gages is greater than the “Conservation” target for that section for 7 consecutive days AND water temperatures are less than 70° F for 3 consecutive days OR on September 15 for temperature-based restrictions and October 31 for flow-based restrictions. MFWP will determine re-opening and will provide public notice. BHWC will share re-opening announcements.
Wow, thats a mouthful. To summarize: The FWP Maiden Rock (Section III, Dickie to Dead Zone) gauge will need to record a flow above 150 CFS for 7 consecutive days in order for this section to re-open. The asterik on this is: *Section III will close to fishing when/if Section IV reaches closure criteria (150 cfs). This change was implemented in August 2023.