Montana’s Bighole River is one of the most unique fisheries in the West, offering brown, rainbow and brook trout, along with native whitefish and grayling. The Bighole begins in massive open meadows, surrounded by towering snow-capped mountains near Wisdom, then heads through a series of canyons before dumping out in an arid desert-like landscape near Twin Bridges. Between those two spots are entertaining towns, with lively bars and eateries, and somewhere between 1,500 and 4,000 trout per mile. While the average trout measures about 14 or 15 inches, the Bighole does kick out 20-plus-inch fish on a daily basis. And it offers a unique phenomenon where some of the female browns and rainbows are sterile and don’t put their energy into the spawn. Ever! This allows them to concentrate on eating and growth . . . and man do they grow. Every few years someone on the Bighole lands a 15-to 20-pound giant. And you have to imagine that fish ruined an afternoon or two before it was caught, its victims having likely fished 5X when they should have knotted on climbing rope. No matter when you fish the Big Hole, you’ll have some kind of hatch to match. Midges temp trout to the surface in late winter and early spring, along with blue-wing olives. Caddis come off in April and May and the big bugs—Pteronarcys and golden stones—follow in June, along with PMDs and drakes. The late-summer show is all about terrestrials and Tricos before streamers take over the show in fall. Spending a few days on this beautiful river, and soaking in the area’s relaxed pace is as refreshing and fun as it gets—classic northern Rockies fly fishing experience.