Fly Fishing the Beaverhead River

The Beaverhead punches well above its size: a narrow, spring-loaded tailwater flowing out of Clark Canyon Reservoir that holds thousands of trout per mile. It's technical fishing in intimate water, demanding precise presentations to fish that have seen it all, but the reward is some of the densest trout populations in Montana.

12 shops nearby

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When to fish

March–November

Best months: March–November

Best
Off-peak

Midge: year-round, essential in winter. Blue-winged Olive / Baetis: spring and fall.

Today's conditions

Where to fish

Along the Beaverhead River

Twin Bridges3 shopsSheridan1 shop

Butte1 shopDillon2 shops

The river flows north out of Clark Canyon Dam near Dillon, MT. Floating is the most productive way to fish the upper section (Clark Canyon Dam to Barretts Dam); the lower section below Barretts Dam is shallower and more wadeable. Montana FWP access sites include Pipe Organ, Barretts, and High Bridge. Located 30–45 minutes southwest of Dillon.

The water

Tailwater

Key hatches

Blue-Winged Olive
Caddisfly
Pale Morning Dun
Yellow Sally
Cranefly

Hatch calendar

Conditions

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6-day forecast

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Forecast from the National Weather Service ↗

Hatch calendar

Months each hatch is active on the Beaverhead River, with hook sizes and local timing notes.
Hatch · hook	M	J	J	A	S
Blue-winged Olive(mayflies)hook #16–22spring and fall	March			August	September
Caddisfly(caddis)hook #12–18		June	July	August	September
Pale Morning Dun(mayflies)hook #16–18June–August			July	August
Yellow Sally(stoneflies)hook #12–16July			July	August
Cranefly(other insects)hook #8–12August–September				August	September
Trico(mayflies)hook #18–20				August	September