Originating in the Scapegoat Wilderness high in the Lewis and Clark Range of the Rocky Mountains, the freestone Dearborn is a relatively unknown river when compared with nearby waters such as the Missouri, Madison, Smith, Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers. Wading is easily had in and around the Highway 200 and Highway 287 bridges. Floating season is short as the river typically has a fast run-off window in May and June of most years. Prior to and after run-off the river is usually too low for floating. The most popular section is a 19 mile float from the Highway 287 bridge through a magnificent canyon before its confluence with the Missouri river near Craig, Montana. However, floating in high water can be good between Highway 200 and 287. The upper section of the river is characterized by open rolling hills and agricultural land. The lower, or canyon section, is a meandering river through a fairly deep canyon with stunning beauty. Fishing is typically best through the canyon.
Most floaters will choose to do a long day float through the canyon as camping is almost non-existent due to the large proportion of private land in the area. Please stay below the high water marks.
The fishing and seasons are strikingly similar to those found on the neighboring Smith river. Streamers are almost always productive in off-color water and the most common hatches include skwala and baetis in the early spring, golden stonefly\’s in the late spring, caddis throughout the late spring and summer and so on.
Whitewater through the canyon section is class 2 in high water through several rock gardens.
Best Fly: Bead Head PT # 14
Water Conditions: 233 cfs
Weather Conditions: Overcast
Floated or Waded: floated
Section of Water Fished: Near the confluence
The Dear fished very good over the weekend on a hopper dropper rig.
Best Fly: Stones & Sally's
Water Conditions: 490 cfs
Weather Conditions: Partly Cloudy
Floated or Waded: floated
Section of Water Fished: Bridge to Mid Canyon
The Dearborn is clear and fishing very well. The water is high so be careful. The put-in can be found by taking highway 287 to the Dearborn bridge and 10-13 hours later you will find yourself on the Missouri. Be sure to have life jackets and some experience on the oars because there are a couple technical sections throughout the float during high water. The fishing was best for us on Golden Stones with a Sally dropper. If you go thru Great Falls, hit the Big R fly shop, those guys are boss.
[img]http://hatchopedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/gold_nugget.jpg[/img]
Best Fly:
Water Conditions: Blown out
Weather Conditions:
Floated or Waded: floated
Section of Water Fished:
Hit the Koot… it has been top notch the past few days and will continue until flow go up later in the week
Best Fly:
Water Conditions: Blown out
Weather Conditions:
Floated or Waded:
Section of Water Fished:
Rafters died on the river just a few days ago…the water is very high would hold off on fishing.
Best Fly: Black Streamer #4
Water Conditions: off color - worse as you head downstream - 750 cfs
Weather Conditions: Rainy
Floated or Waded: Floated
Section of Water Fished: MT 200 to Missouri River
6/7 & 6/8 – Water in the upper reaches was far more clear than the lower reaches. Recent flood has done a number on the river in the lower sections with some new channels and eroding banks. Fishing was good with streamers right up against the banks. Fish not eating anything else. Should be very good fishing, quite soon.
Saw two groups of floaters camped illegally on private land above the high water marks in the canyon. For the sake of all of our fishing rights on the Dearborn and other MT rivers, please discourage this practice – the MT stream access law is a priviledge – lets keep it that way.