The Big Hole River Stonefly Hatch – (around the first two weeks of June)Once the clarity improves to 3-4 feet, and the migration of the nymphs to the banks ebbs from a mass migration – the Salmonfly adults will become very evident. You might find the first one crawling on your shirt sleeve – or see one fluttering over the water. You might see a voracious slashing rise out of the corner of your eye – now you know. Get out the 2x leader and your favorite size 4 or 6 foamy, rubber legged creation and go to work. Dead drift it, skate it, twitch it, and for the love of god don’t set the hook too soon! These flies are big, and the trout has to get his mouth closed on it before you tighten up, or you may come back empty-handed. This hatch will last anywhere from 1 – 3 weeks, depending on water levels and weather patterns, and although the big bugs steal the show – there will be lots of other trout food floating on top – its not uncommon to see 4 or 5 different mayflies and a few different colors of caddis in the foam lines. |