TR-Lower Big Hole River
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Took Friday off and headed over early to the lower Big Hole River near Twin Bridges.
Pennington Bridge Access
Pretty lonely this time of year. An hour and 45 minute drive had me on the water at 7AM, about 30 minutes before sunrise.
The ARK (All river kayak) is ready to go at dawn on the Big Hole
I’ll wade through the riffles and tailouts and paddle through the deep runs as I make my way upstream
These long pools are 5-6’ deep in the center and cannot be waded, so the kayak gets me from the tailout to the riffle.
Things started slow but my goals were about 2 miles upstream. Essentially untouched water that is inaccessible unless you cross private land or make the float from Glen, 9 miles upstream. This is a relatively slow stretch of water and 9 miles would be a hike, even in a kayak or canoe. Not many do it because of several log jams completely blocking the river. Flows were up a bit (good) from last month and the morning started out at 37 degrees. By 10AM the river was in full boil with BWOs.
I like starting a dawn as you get to watch the river and surrounding area wake up. At the put-in two Horned Owls were saying goodnight. There are at least 3 pairs of Bald Eagles in this stretch and they all greeted me as I moved up river. The Whitetails along the river were annoyed and snorted at me for disturbing their breakfast.
Three years ago, the channel entering on the right used to carry a lot of water. But log jams upstream have diverted most water into the center channel entering from the left.
The first major logjam about a ½ mile above the put-in. Completely blocks the river and has to be portaged. About 40 yards.
The portage, 40 yards across large cobble. Tough if you are in a drift boat.
Once I got past the first big log jam I was into good water. Pretty much woolly bugger territory for me. I alternated between a 5wgt full sink for the deep pools and a 4wgt Winston SF glass for the riffle and shallow tailouts. It was a good day with two 19 inchers and one that just stretched past 20” Mostly browns all day, but the river does hold a few rainbows.
It might not look like it, but this stretch has some very deep water that always holds a brown or two.
One of the better browns of the day
Many are turning butter yellow ready for the spawn.
A few good rainbows as well
This was the best and last fish of the day.
No food shots except for this. Wild mint. I always grab a bunch to take home for some Big Hole Mohitos.
Nice!! I love the Big Hole (and fishing around Twin Bridges in general). Had an epic day a couple of weeks ago on that river where I caught 6 20+ inch browns in 9 casts with a size 18 comparadun.
Also like the Winston Glass. That one looks mint. Unlike most, I think the pre-stalker Winstions are the best. I don’t think anything can beat roaming around Twin Bridges with Winston glass.
Great pics and report. I missed coming out to Montana this year. We are already talking up a two week trip next August. The Big Hole is one of the rivers we may float if conditions are still good that time of year. I spoke with someone today about the Bitterroot and floating it near Darby. He was out last week and said visibility was very bad due to the fires.
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