Its not a secret anymore, Salmonflies are out!
We have been seeing big bugs across the majority of the river. We have been having luck on streamers and
rubber legs in the mornings, and generally switching to dries by lunch time. If your day allows, stay out! Dry fly fishing has been stellar into the evening hours. The Big Hole had a small spike and has since leveled out after heavy rainfall on Thursday. It is still on a small rise around Melrose, but we expect it to level and drop overnight. The fishing has been slower up high, around Mudd Creek and Sawlog. We have been having luck on streamers and rubber legs in the mornings, and generally switching to dries by lunch time.
Caddis flies and PMD’s have been out above Jerry Creek, so don’t be afraid to try a smaller dry behind your salmonfly pattern. Miracle caddis, elk hair caddis or Tan/Brown Twisted Baby have worked in the last couple of days.
The canyon is floatable, but please be aware that it is still moving fast! The diversion dam is only advised for “expert” level rowers, as the second wave has a boat flipping curl on it. Watch the flows, if it is between 5,000 – 6,000 at Maiden Rock, the diversion will continue to be dangerous. Dropping river levels has really spread the boater traffic out, and people have been floating the everywhere from Mudd Ck all the way down to Notch Bottom.
We expect Saturday to be quite busy, and don’t forget that the stretch from Jerry to Divide is closed to outfitting and non-resident anglers. It is closed Divide to Melrose on Sunday. Be safe out there, have some patience in the parking lots, and catch some fish!