The much anticipated opener of the Beaverhead River has arrived! After closing down the River in Mid-August of last year due to extreme low flows and low reservoir levels, anglers were wondering what to expect. Ryan, our Shop Manager was able to spend a few days on the water of the Beav’ in the past couple weeks. He is happy to report the Browns and Rainbows are fat, happy, and finicky as ever.
Water clarity is very clear to solid visibility downstream to Grasshopper Creek. Below Grasshopper Creek the River is quite dirty still. Trout have been feeding on Small Baetis Nymphs, Midge Pupae and Emergers, Smaller Caddis patterns, Scuds, Sowbugs, and Worm patterns. The Streamer bite has been pretty solid throughout the Beaverhead downstream to Henneberry. The majority of the action has been subsurface, but the die hard dry Fly Fisherman with a sharp eye can take a rising Fish here and there on a Small BWO or Midge adult.
Flows out of Clark Canyon are 332cfs at the Dam and 511cfs at Barrett’s. These are very wading friendly flows. Take advantage of the easier wading while you can before the higher flows kick in for the summer.
Nymphs: Delektable Lil’ Spanker Pheasant Tail #16-#20, Delektable Big Spanker Warrior #18, Splitback BWO #18-#22, Hot Bead Soft Hackle Sowbug Tan, Pink #16-#18. Ray Charles Tan, Pink, Orange #16-#20. Shop Vac Olive, or Brown #16-#18. RS2 #18-#20 Olive or Gray. Delektable Worm Red #12, Flossy Worm Red #12-#14.
Streamers: Delektable Single Screamer #6 Olive/White, Black/Olive, White, or Olive/Yellow.
