Beaverhead River
river in Montana
Small and brushy, the Beaverhead is a challenging river where anglers sight-fish for some of the biggest trout in the state.
River flow last 30 days
What's working on Beaverhead River
- 01Terrestrial patterns like Hoppers and Ants remain effective, especially in early fall.
- 02October Caddis are becoming a significant factor, with adults emerging.
- 03Blue-Winged Olive (BWO) and Mahogany Dun hatches are starting to appear, offering dry fly opportunities.
- 04Larger fall attractors are enticing aggressive strikes.
Past reports week by week
14 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
October Caddis
Explicitly mentioned in recent regional intelligence signals (Middle Fork & North Fork Flathead) as becoming a significant factor and a key fall hatch.
Blue-Winged Olive Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are consistently mentioned in recent regional intelligence signals (North Fork Flathead) as appearing in fall, and this pattern is excellent for selective trout.
Mahogany Dun
Mahogany Duns are mentioned in recent regional intelligence signals (North Fork Flathead) as beginning to appear in fall, providing dry fly opportunities.
Buy at AmazonHopper
Recent regional intelligence signals (Middle Fork & North Fork Flathead) indicate terrestrial fishing, including hoppers, remains strong in early fall.
Pheasant Tail Nymph
General nymphs are year-round staples and are particularly effective in fall for trout and whitefish feeding on subsurface insects.
Buy at AmazonChernobyl Ant
Recent regional intelligence signals (Middle Fork Flathead) mention Chernobyl Ants as effective terrestrials and early fall attractors.
Buy at AmazonGlo Bug
Fall is a prime time for trout and salmon spawning, making egg patterns highly effective below redds.
Buy at AmazonOlive Woolly Bugger
Streamers are consistently effective for aggressive trout and whitefish in fall, imitating leeches and baitfish.
Where to fish and who to ask
Barretts Diversion Dam
A lower river point known for trophy brown trout habitat and deeper pools.
Bighorn Access (Beaverhead)
The most popular access for wade fishing the famous tailwater stretch.
Get Beaverhead River reports by email
Save this water and we'll email you a weekly summary of conditions, hatches and what's working.
Montana season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Read before you go
Winter Fly Fishing: Essential Cold Weather Tips & Tactics
Master winter fly fishing with proven cold weather strategies, gear selection, and tactics for catching trout when temperatures drop.
Fly Line Types Guide: WF, DT, Running & Shooting Heads
Master fly line selection with our comprehensive guide to weight forward, double taper, running lines, and shooting heads for every fishing situation.
Best Fly Fishing Waders of 2025 – Breathable vs. Neoprene
Expert comparison of breathable and neoprene waders with top 2025 models for every budget and fishing condition.
Felt vs. Rubber Sole Wading Boots: What's Legal Where
Essential guide to felt vs. rubber sole wading boots, plus state-by-state regulations to keep you legal on the water.
Fly Fishing Pack vs Vest: Which Setup Is Right for You?
Compare fly fishing packs and vests to find the perfect gear setup for your angling style and fishing conditions.
Best Fly Fishing Sunglasses: Lens Color & Polarization Guide
Master lens color selection and polarization technology for superior vision and fish detection on the water.
Quick answers
Common questions about Beaverhead River.
What flies work best on Beaverhead River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Beaverhead River right now are Chubby Chernobyl (95% confidence), October Caddis (95% confidence), Pale Morning Dun Sparkle Dun (90% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Beaverhead River?
Beaverhead River holds Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Mountain Whitefish. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
What are current flow conditions on Beaverhead River?
Live USGS streamflow readings for Beaverhead River are charted in the sidebar of this page and updated automatically from the nearest gauge.
Is Beaverhead River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Beaverhead River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.