The Big Hole River is one of the loveliest rivers in Montana, and it is noted for some of the unsurpassable fly-fishing the area has to offer.
The river starts from Skinner Lake near the Montana-Idaho border, and it flows over 150 miles in Montana before joining the Beaverhead River at Twin Bridges where both streams combine to form the Jefferson River.
It flows from towering mountains to the broad and flat, and beautiful, Big Hole River Valley, where it slowly makes its way towards.
Cautionary advice to anyone visiting the upper river. Mosquitoes are usually not a problem in most Montana valleys. However, the Big Hole River Valley is home to lots of these biting and stinging creatures. So remember to bring the mosquito repellent.
The valley has also witnessed bloody battles in 1877 in which almost one hundred Nez Perce Indians were killed by U.S. Army troops. The Big Hole National Battlefield and Monument, which is located 10 miles (16 km) west of Wisdom, on Montana state highway 43, tells this story, like many others
When the salmonflies pop it means summer is about to kick off
From mid-June fly-fisherman from all over the country come to the Big Hole for its famous Salmon fly hatch. The hatch starts near the lower river and moves upstream over the course of about two weeks.
What makes this hatch unique is the length of the river. The hatch begins around Twin Bridges and moves upstream about 80 miles. The hatch moves 3-5 miles a day. It starts on the lower river since the water begins to warm first there.
The Big Hole River is the only stream in the lower contiguous 48 States to host a large population of Arctic Grayling. This river also has 5 different trout species.
On a good day, one could catch Rainbows, Browns, Brookies, Cutthroats & Grayling. This river is also host to a large Whitefish population.
You can find plenty of lodging from the area, and around Montana, from camping grounds to lodges and city hotels.
