The Beaverhead/Big Hole biennial rule, which was designed to redistribute anglers and improve the angling experience on southwestern Montana’s Beaverhead and Big Hole rivers, is entering its second year. Anglers are reminded to examine the rule, which is included in the 2002-2003 Fishing Regulations, before they take to the water.
The rule was enacted by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission and went into effect in May 2001. It was designed to better distribute angling and floating pressure on the Beaverhead and Big Hole rivers by allocating specific days, river stretches, and access points for resident use, commercially-guided float trips and non-resident anglers. It also reserves different stretches of each river for float fishing by Montana residents on Saturdays or Sundays from the third Saturday in May through Labor Day. Those stretches reserved for resident float fishing, however, continue to remain open to wade fishing by non-resident anglers who access the river on foot. The rule is set to expire in May, 2003 unless extended by the Commission.
"The major point we wish to make is that both rivers are open to all anglers—residents and non-residents," said Pat Flowers, Regional Supervisor for Region 3. "There was a misconception last year among some in the national outdoor press that this was not the case. If you examine the rule you will find that a non-resident can fish anywhere on the Beaverhead or Big Hole rivers. The only restrictions on non-resident angling relate to float-fishing on certain days and on specific stretches. For example, even if they are floating and fishing, non-residents are restricted only on one stretch of the Big Hole River on Saturday and one on Sunday."
The FWP Commission appointed two advisory committees in 1999 to examine problems associated with fishing pressure on the Beaverhead and Big Hole rivers. In December 2000, the Commission offered for public comment a draft biennial rule based on the committee’s recommendations, then created a compromise alternative to address concerns expressed by anglers, landowners, outfitters, and business interests. The result was the biennial rule.
Dick Oswald, FWP’s area fishery biologist in Dillon, says that most comments he has received regarding the rules have been positive. "Certainly, local anglers with some experience on both rivers have been pleasantly surprised at the outcome…I have received many positive statements from out-of-area anglers and some non-residents, particularly those who like to wade or bank fish, regarding the new rules."
Oswald said it is apparent that the rules have provided opportunity for a higher quality experience for anglers on both rivers.
He warns, however, that anglers should be prepared this year for a shortened season on both the Big Hole and Beaverhead rivers. Entering a fifth year of drought and poor snowpack, Oswald predicts that it is likely the Big Hole will see low flows in the Middle Reach (North Fork to Dickie Bridge) by late July, and the Lower Reach (Dickie Bridge to the mouth) by mid-August. If flows drop below the Big Hole Drought Plan trigger flows, angling will be closed until flows can recover.
"It is likely that low flows will make floating difficult prior to the imposition of closures," Oswald said. On the Beaverhead, record low storage in Clark Canyon Reservoir probably will result in flows averaging about 550 cubic feet per second (cfs) in June and July. These flows are far below average, and Oswald believes they will drop even lower by mid-August.
"By the beginning of September, flows will probably be reduced to 35 cfs which will render floating impossible," he said. "Heavy algae growth at that point will make fishing difficult as flows drop."
At 35 cfs, the FWP Commission likely will be asked again this year to close angling on the Beaverhead River to protect brown trout spawning in October and November. As summer flows drop on both rivers this summer, Oswald suggests that anglers be cognizant of the potential for high water temperatures in the afternoons and evenings, and limit their angling activity accordingly.
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