Tip The Big Hole...

The Big Hole River is one hell of a place

Come participate in a very unique event designed to help keep it that way

The Big Hole Watershed Committee on June 22nd will be holding the first annual "Tip the Big Hole" event

Guides throughout Southwest Montana will be pledging their tip money from that day's trip in the effort to support the BHWC's goal of retaining water in the river, multi-party stewardship, fish habitat restoration and good land use planning.

The smart fellers who sign up for the event get a T shirt, a sweet schwag bag, a massive dinner and entry into the grand prize raffle containing gear from companies like Winston, Scott, Simms, Rising and others.

The event will be hosted in Melrose at the Sunrise Fly Shop on the 22nd, and events start rolling at 3pm.

It's open to the public, and you dont have to be a guide to donate.  Also, cant be there?  The BHWC has a handy dandy link that allows you to securely give wherever you may be.

The times I have fished the Big Hole it's exactly what you'd expect it to be.

Wild.  Bugs galore.  Amazing Fish.

It's one of those places that on every cast, you feel like you're going to catch the fish of a lifetime.  The whole experience is everything fly fishing should be.

Help keep it that way and support this event.

Learn more about this event from the organizer, Joe from Evolution Anglers as the June 22nd comes closer

Strong Work--The Big Hole Watershed Committee

I have two distinct memories of the Big Hole.

First was of our first major Montana Fly Fishing trip in 2004.  We rented a cabin, trucked across three states, tried our hands at rowing a hard boat down the river in August (terrible idea btw, especially as rookies on the sticks) for 3 days and literally got our asses handed to us.

Sure a few fish were caught, but clearly we had some learning to do.  In any case, I knew I couldn't wait to get back

For the second memory, fast forward a few years and my good buddy the Vanilla Gorilla was kind enough to invite us to his wedding on the banks of that glorious river.   After a few days of kicking around Twin Bridges fishing the holy waters that collide there, we joined the wedding party in setting up for the wedding on a private ranch with a mile's worth of Big Hole access.

Those 4 hours before the wedding were pure magic.  The Big Hole showed me a glimpse of what a world class trout river is all about

Rainbows and browns crushed the phat bugs we chucked and just before the wedding began, a special surprise and the representation of what the Big Hole Watershed Committee is working for....

The Big Hole Watershed Committee is the leader in watershed restoration in the Big Hole Valley. 

Water is gold in SW Montana, and there are many that put in claims on the water.  Ranchers, Farmers, Fishermen and Women, Homeowners, and the list goes on.

In 1988, the Big Hole ran dry for 35 days and caused fish stocks to suffer dearly, including the famous yet small population of Grayling.  Water rights conflict and drought brought the river system to it's collective knees.

For the river system to remain viable for decades to come, it all comes down to adequate flows and a good management plan.  That's where the BHWC comes in, and if you're searching for a place for where your money can do some actual kick ass boots on the ground work, here it is.

If you've ever dropped a line into the water, or hope to someday in the future and want to know it's protected, donate to the BHWC.

Learn more as they're in a fundraising push and need everyone's help.

Visit the BHWC web site and donate NOW.

The fish, the ranchers, the fisherman and the entire Big Hole Valley will thank you.