Fishing Reports Feeds From Bigrflyshop.com http://bigrflyshop.com/ Fishing Reports Feeds From Bigrflyshop.com en-us Sun, 5 Feb 2012 05:25:50 GMT http://www.bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports/rss UCMS <![CDATA[Missouri River - January 22nd, 2012]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#3018 Recorded:  Mostly sunny35 ° F Fishing: Good

What a difference a couple days make.  We went from sub-zero to fishable winter weather.  I chose a spot in the canyon and worked the water for several hours on Sunday.  Fish will take streamers on the 2 hand swing in the right water. Active fish for the swing are typically just behind shelves and in the tailouts of deeper runs.

Nymphing deep buckets is very good. If you find a concentration of fish and you want numbers, they are there for the hooking.  Be sure to handle your catch carefully and don't hold fish out of the water in icy conditions. Tight Lines!


]]> Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#3018 <![CDATA[Missouri River - January 19th, 2012]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#3015 Recorded:  Frigid0 ° F Fishing: Poor

The Missouri is a great winter tailwater fishery. Just not today. By Saturday, conditions will warm enough to fish up near Holter Dam, but expect icy waters below Craig. Winter has finally arrived and you will need to pick your days.
 



]]> Thu, 19 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#3015 <![CDATA[Pend Oreille River <br> and Tributaries - January 3rd, 2012]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2989 Recorded:  Partly cloudy34 ° F Fishing: Fair

Fishing on Pend Oreille has been tough latley.  Not many fish are being caught right now trolling...and there is hardly any ice on the big lake right now, so ice fishing is also tough.  The Clark Fork River and tribs have been producing some fish...but not many.  The lake temp was around 38 degrees yesterday.  At least is was a beautiful day to be on the water.


]]> Tue, 3 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2989 <![CDATA[Missouri River - January 2nd, 2012]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2988 Recorded:  Windy45 ° F Fishing: Great

New Year’s Day weather cooperated quite well. Lots of fish were being landed by all. All the bends were full of anglers. The weather has been a little windy but it’s pretty hard to complain about an above freezing day the first of January in central Montana. Swung streamers in slow moving water produced quite a few fish early on in the day (pre-lunch time). In the afternoon, we mostly reverted to the nymphing game. If motivation would have set in, there were quite a few fish feeding on sub surface midges and a few on top as well but there were def. enough fins seen to attempt the dry fly. A still day would make it very motivating. Nymphing worked well. Anything pink or orange was producing. Spring Creek Scud, DLH, Soft Hackle Ray’s, Firebeads, T.C.’s and pretty much the entire selection from The Good, the Pink, and the Firebead. Fred did well swinging some sparse white colored bunny streamers as well. The weather is still good, and now that’s it’s now New Year’s Day and most are back to work the river is wide open. The Bloch is north of Holter today and we should hear a good report on that tomorrow.



]]> Mon, 2 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2988 <![CDATA[Missouri River - December 29th, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2984 Recorded:  Windy49 ° F Fishing: Excellent

In mid December I received an email from my friend Dale Smith in Colorado wondering if I had any guide openings on the 26th or 27th of December. I giggled a little and checked my calendar. Sure enough I was open either day. After going back and forth on which day to fish we decided the wind was going to blow less on the 27th. We met in Craig and sure enough the wind was only gusting to 25mph. Not too bad considering what I am listening to as I type. I launched the RO I strapped on a #18 Fire bead Sow bug with a Zebra dropper and a fire bead Ray Charles with some other orange-headed creature for a dropper. The weather was unseasonably warm and the wind was letting us play. I rowed to the wire (without gloves on) and quickly realized I am out of shape. Within a few casts Kyle boated a nice Bow. The takes right now are very subtle so the anglers sharpened there senses and after a bit proceeded to put a pile of nice fish in the boat. Slow, inside water was the key to our success. We switched gears at the Bull Pasture and tied on streamers. I suggested a slow tight retrieve and sure enough it worked. We finished the day with several nice steamer fish and a few we would have liked to inspect a bit closer. The bugger of the day was a white Marabou Clouser fished painfully slow. What a great day to wrap up the year! Thanks to Dale and Kyle for braving the weather and making it a great day.
 
See you out there!
 
Brian



]]> Thu, 29 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2984 <![CDATA[Missouri River - December 27th, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2978 Recorded:  Windy35 ° F Fishing: Excellent

Pretty tough to beat fishin on the Mo right now.  Fished with Tristen yesterday up high and put around 2 doz in the boat and lost a handful of others.  Granted most of the fish being caught up higher are planter fish that came through Holter this year, but they're still fun to catch.  We did land some really nice, clean river fish too.  Talked to a guy who was fishing for walleye at the launch and he was getting frustrated catching bow's every cast (I tried to let him know thats not a bad thing for this time of year, but he thought I was crazy).  The fish are pretty stacked up together right now, so if you catch one anchor up and run a few more drifts through the hole.  Nymphs are pretty hard to beat, but fish are also hammerin streamers in froggy water.  Go get it while the weather cooperates.

Flies de jour: grey and tan rays, anything with a firebead on it, sows in tan and pink, scuds of all colors, egg sucking leeches, smaller muted buggers.

Cornfed


]]> Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2978 <![CDATA[Missouri River - December 18th, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2975 Recorded:  Windy50 ° F Fishing: Good

 Fished the Missouri below Holter yesterday.  Everyone in Bull Pasture was hooked up consistently.  We floated and caught a few on firebead and sowbug patterns but the guys nymphing stationary on the slower "winter" runs were getting a lot more fish.  We did have the most success on the smaller sized firebead soft hackle ray in pink.  Short days makes being out there at the peak of the day seemingly the most productive... if the wind would die down a bit today it would make it a fun day on the Mo.


]]> Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2975 <![CDATA[Missouri River - December 14th, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2973 Recorded:  Cloudy34 ° F Fishing: Great

Fishing has been great as of late.  Streamers are getting tons of tugs, and mostly all fish are now chrome.   Only a few browns and fall spawning bows are staggering around the fall party, and many bows are getting ready for the other party...spring break.  If you like stripping streamers, do it all day.  If you don't, try it anyways.  Don't think you are geared up for streamer fishing?  We can get in into an affordable setup, or transform yours into a steak slinger.  If fish arn't taking the strip, swing.  Twitching through the swing is a good idea for your fiesty bows.  Morning, was good today.  Lunch was slower, but the water we were fishing was much less productive.  Good flys to throw include Mt. Mouthwashes, Space Invaders, Shop Sculpins (coming soon from Fred,)  crystal buggers, Coffee Sparkle Minnows, Smolt patterns, and scupzillas.  Word on the street is that we found a bunch of fishy bugs under a shelf which are retailing for 50 cents a pop.  Don't miss out.  Find us on the water tomorrow.



]]> Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2973 <![CDATA[Missouri River - December 10th, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2969 Recorded:  Partly cloudy44 ° F Fishing: Good

Fishing the Urban Mo. during lunch has been fun these last few days.  Lots of tugs on white swung streamers.  The break in the weather lately has encouraged me to try stepping up my two handing.  If you find a struggling two hander, stop and give him some advice if you have it.  Though I am turning, and even landing some bows, my cast is in need of a tune up.  Overhand habits are really tough to break.  Size six through eight bugs in white have made even the roughest of swings turn up fish.  If you are looking for fish on top, you will find them.  They are slurping midges mid day.  The urban Mo. can be a really good time if you find the pods.  If you are not packing heat, bring an orange cover.  Duck hunters are lining the banks, even in town, taking unrealistic pokes at fish eatters.  Lots of birds, lots of fish.  This weekend would be a perfect oppertunity for both at the same time. 



]]> Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2969 <![CDATA[Madison River - Lower - December 6th, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2967 Recorded:  Frigid16 ° F Fishing: Good

I spent the beginning of this week in South Western Mt. taking care of some business.  I got there Sunday night and it was cold.  I was busy all day Monday, and it was cold.  Tuesday was my day to fish, so I called up a Ashby B and Tom I, and we got after it around eleven.  We pulled up to the Madison, and like we thought it was a combination of slush and anchor ice.  We continued our truck ride to the dam.  Apparently there was a outfitters meeting in Ennis, so we found a bunch of anglers on this lone section of open river.  No big deal, we continued to drive down and found an unoccupied,  slow, deep winter trench that we could fish in close proximity to the truck.  3 p.m., first cast, fish on.  Falling for the sow bug was a little 16 inch chrome brown.  Ashby poked a couple bows, Tom stripped one up.  Having the truck/warming shack close was key.  After warming up, I tricked one or two bows, rolled a good brown, and we packed it up.  All and all it was fun to fish a spot niether of us had in a while.  I would consider fishing it all day with studded wading boots.  The fish are eatting, and you will be hard pressed to find open water around that part of the state right now.  The Mo. is in the full swing of winter fishing.  Reports of nice walleyes being caught mixed in with lots of bows.  Browns are chrome for the most part now, giving you great head shakes and unmistakable tugs.  Don't be lazy when it comes to tailwater fishing this winter, its been worth it. 


]]> Tue, 6 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2967 <![CDATA[Missouri River - November 29th, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2956 Recorded:  Partly cloudy44 ° F Fishing: Excellent

Hey Montana,

In case you were wondering, fishing on the Mo. is really really good right now.  I fished craig to spite hill yesterday and caught many nice browns and bows.  Did dam to wolf today, and left really happy.  I have not caught a whitey in a long time either...  Im not sure if this is good or bad, but when you are only catching trout, and lots of them, it doesn't bother you to much I guess.  Nymphing is incredible right now.  Streamers are working better than decent, and drys are not worth trying, unless you happen upon a nice pod, which is hard to find in this wind.  If you get bored watching bobbers, don't fret, because most of the time, granted you are in the zone with the right bugs, it will be under.  Hot bead anything, scuds, zebras, pts, Lb's, you name it.  If it looks tail water, its working.  If you have been wondering if some of your ties will work, this may not be a good test.  The fish are not being picky.  When streamer fishing, minnow patterns, sculpins, leeches, bunny, and bou is all working.  Thats a long list of bugs, so go with your favorite ones, and fish them hard.  We have been pulling fish out of spots that usually don't hold fish like they are.  I saw some walleye guys raise a few eyes today also.  Everything is good here.  Don't be afraid of the wind either, the fish sure aren't.  Check the blog, report, and fly of the week later this week.  I'll show you some bugs that they are gobbling, as well as give some incite on how you may want to fish them.

Toight lines
-PB


]]> Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2956 <![CDATA[Missouri River - November 24th, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2952 Recorded:  Partly cloudy48 ° F Fishing: Great

Fished the Mo. with Arron from Bozeman yesterday.  Did well on streamers.  Lots of bows up around dam.  Since we could only do a short float, we chose to stay between dam and wolf creek.  Nymphing was on, streamers were on, dry's were not worth throwing.  Lots of fish on big scuds and pink Lb's.  Aaron striped many differnt big bugs, and fish didn't feel like discriminating I guess.  Later, big Sam Wike and I floated lower on the river just before dark.  We stuck to streamers.  Olive got a tug or two, but quickly switched to white.  There was no need to switch after that.  All browns down low before dark, which was surely refreshing.  Have fun!



]]> Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2952 <![CDATA[Pend Oreille River <br> and Tributaries - November 25th, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2951 Recorded:  Windy and Rain36 ° F Fishing: Good

K&K Derby Standings.  Fishing has been a little tough, but there are some fish out there being caught.
 Adult Rainbow Division

Mark Torre 15# 8oz 321/2" Aboard SeaGull Charters
Bert Dennett 13# 7oz 33 1/4" Aboard Kam Stalker
Dennis Tibbets 12# 12oz 31 1/2" Aboard Die Hard II
Al Fausone 12# 8oz

Adult Mackinaw Division

Dave Gillespie 9# 8oz 30" Aboard Twogills
Dennis Tibbets 5# 12oz 26" Aboard Diehard II
Jim Carothers 4# 7oz 26" Aboard Hopefloats
Art Webb 4# 4oz 24"

Youth "A" Division ages 9 thru 13

Hali Morlin 7# 8oz 25"
Kameron Roslak 6# 10oz 26' Aboard Rainmaker
Brian Elmore 3# 15oz 20 1/2" Aboard Tub toy

Youth Division "B" ages 8 and under

There have no weighins to this date


Fish Of The Day
Adult Rainbow                                                  Adult Mackinaw
11-19- Mark Torre                                                 Dale Greene
11-20 Dale Hickman                                              Jim Carothers
11-21 Jim Carothers                                              Dennis Tibbets
11-22 Dennis Tibbets                                            Dave Gillespie
11-23 Dylan Peterson                                           Dean Granberg


]]> Fri, 25 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2951 <![CDATA[Missouri River - November 22nd, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2950 Recorded:  Windy54 ° F Fishing: Great


Warning!  Unless you are in a skiff or LP style boat, drifting will not be easy today.  I took Sam's Clacka from the Dam to Wolf Creek bridge last night.  Under the dam was one of the only spots that I could anchor and hold, even with thirty plus feet of string out.  Once the anchor would finally wedge, and I was able to fish, I was not complaining.  In order to get a decent drift, anchor so the wind will cast for you.  I did the best running controled drifts close to the boat.  The fish seemed super hungry.  They were present throughout the entire water column in the slow 'n soft stuff, and even eatting pretty hard around the surface.  Hot bead stuff was my go to, but the mini (18's and 20's) copper john merked many fish when heads started showing up.  Pink Ray Charles, and assorted czechs are a great choice if you are in doubt about what to use.  My buddy Rielly, aka Harmon Killabrew, from Missoula was out on the water before I was.  He was stipping streamers, and catching nice fish doing it.  If you do decide to fight the wind, you will be rewarded.   I'll be fishing on Cranksgiving day in 7-11 mph wind with temps around the mid 40's.  Come in the shop and grab some bugs from us.  While everyone is inside stuffing there faces, I would strongly consider feeding the fish.  Do something new this thanksgiving, and take your friends and family outside.  See you somewhere on the Mo. manana.
-PB



]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2950 <![CDATA[Pend Oreille River <br> and Tributaries - November 18th, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2948 Recorded:  Windy and snow10 ° F Fishing: Good

We fished the lake two days ago with near perfect conditions.  We felt like we had the right flies and right presentations.  After 4 hours we landed nothing.  We had a few good hits, but nothing stuck.  The water temp was down to 44.6 degrees dropping from 49 degrees the day before.  With the wind coming out of the north and the temp dropping to 10 degrees tonight..the water will be cold by Saturday morning.  Fishing flies on the surface with a slower presentation will be key to catching some of the bigger fish.  Try slowing the boat down and lengthing out your lines to get the best results.  Good Luck out there.




]]> Fri, 18 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2948 <![CDATA[Pend Oreille River <br> and Tributaries - November 9th, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2942 Recorded:  Partly cloudy40 ° F Fishing: Excellent

Trolling for large rainbow on Lake Pend Oreille has be excellent latley.  The big fish are up on top and they are eating kokanee.  Trolling flies on planer boards has been the top producer.  There are also some fish showing up in the tribs and can be caught on fly gear.   Orange, Red, Pink, Green and Brown trolling flies have all been working well.  This time of year the kokanee begin to change color to a orange/red....so anything close to that should work.  Trolling 2.0-2.8 mph is the chosen speed.  Good luck out there.  So far there have been several double digit fish caught.


]]> Wed, 9 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2942 <![CDATA[Holter Reservoir - November 3rd, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2934 Recorded:  Windy55 ° F Fishing: Good

On the Mighty Mo.we have wind.   The weekend warriors are taking the hardest blows, as high as 30 plus mph.  Last weekend was outragously windy up here, but that didn't stop people from seeking rising fish, most smaller in size.  The big fish are still there, don't worry.  It looks like we are gonna be holding on to our hats this friday, and then putting on our ski jackets Saturday, with highs in the upper thirties.  The wind is supposed to calm to 9 mph on Saturday, as cool air arives.  If you fish the in snappy weather, you will be rewarded with chances at rising fish.  Bwo's are holding on for now.  Midges will be our go to soon as far as small bugs go.  Fish are finding slower water now, so pay attention to the soft side of seams.  Have not heard much about the streamer bite for trout, but I wouldn't hesitate to try it out.  The walleye craze is still going on around here.  One fella dredged up a 9 plus pound pair of eyes on the fly recently, and apparently coolers are still being filled mainly from the dam to craig.  Reward yourself this fall by being one of the few people left on the water. Be sure to look for reports coming in from Honduras this week from our staff and friends, and see what you are missing out on.     


]]> Thu, 3 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2934 <![CDATA[Missouri River - October 29th, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2918 Recorded:  Windy50 ° F Fishing: Good

Fished the Missouri today from wolf creek bridge down Craig and caught fish on dries and nymphs ... Planned to swing streamer but never got to it and it was really windy.  Lots of bwo's were out and fish were eating the emergers.  We caught fish on pulsating emerger, smiths brianne dun bwo, and the GWG on top and nymphing we caught fish on the chocolate and purple crust nymphs. More fish were rising up high for some reason even though there were bugs the whole way.


]]> Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2918 <![CDATA[Missouri River - October 29th, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2916 Recorded:  Mostly cloudy50 ° F Fishing: Good

Already windy in town this morning.  Alfonso beat us up to the river today and just reported rising fish on BWO's about 5 minutes ago (it's 10:30am).  Bring your nymphs too because it is likely to get windier up there as the day goes on.  Makes sure to bring some good emergers like the BWO pulsating emerger or whatever is your favorite to ride behind your dry. 

Urban Report:  Fishing has been good with streamers in the knee deep runs.  Cover a lot of water.  John T was out on his new favorite urban run last night and got three nice rainbows stripping streamers.  Paul was out as well in a different area... please ask him about his evening (comical). 

We are headed up river here in the next hour so I'll post a more detailed report this evening for anyone headed out to the river tomorrow morning.

Cheers!


]]> Sat, 29 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2916 <![CDATA[Sun River - October 23rd, 2011]]> http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2905 Recorded:  Windy57 ° F Fishing: Great

I spent the last two nights fishing on the Sun close to Great Falls.  The browns have made their way up the tribs and higher up the main stem to take care of business.  Not having the time to get to far out of town to fish, I have concentrated my efforts on the less productive froggier water down low.  With that being said, dozens of hungry rainbows came to hand on streamers of varying colors and sizes.  Olive seamed to be the best especially in the sculpin form.  Cast, wait, swing, and twitch methods worked the best.  Try sink tips, or attach sinking poly leaders to your fly line.  We carry these such leaders in floating, intermeadiate, and dredging forms.  Lots of fish are eager to eat  nymphs and emergers such as pts, crust nymphs, csc emeregers, flash backs, a variety if bwo nymphs, emergers, cripples, duns, and of course eggs and bacon.  The whitefish are super soaking the water with little creamy orange eggs, and any trout should be happy to snack on them.  Please do not fish over any spawning fish you may stumble across.  Let them do there thing for a couple months so more people can have tight lines come mid winter.  Happy fishing, and hope to see you enjoying the last of this beautiful weather.
-Paul


]]> Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://bigrflyshop.com/fishing-reports#2905