Beaverhead River
Near Butte, Montana
The Beaverhead River is Montana's premier trophy brown trout fishery, flowing 60 miles from Clark Canyon Dam near Dillon to its confluence with the Big Hole River at Twin Bridges. This intimate tailwater holds the largest concentration of big browns per mile in the state, with fish averaging 16-18 inches and many exceeding 20 inches. The willow-lined banks, crystal-clear water, and highly educated trout demand precision presentations with small flies and light tippets. Prolific hatches of PMDs, caddis, and yellow sallies provide dry fly opportunities from June through July, while nymphing remains productive year-round. The narrow, winding character makes float fishing the most effective approach, though the upper stretch below the dam receives heavy pressure during prime season. Summer irrigation demands can reduce flows significantly, but the tailwater maintains quality fishing conditions when other freestone rivers struggle.