The Bechler River is one of the lesser visited rivers in the Park during the summer;  it is a real treat with all the water fall features and its more remote setting.  Its remote setting also makes it a bit harder for us to obtain reliable updates, and we’ve talked to a lot of folks in the area trying to find current information for you. 

Good news - most of the typically wet areas of approach trail are drier this year;  bad news - water is low (as in the Park overall) and warm.  Checking water temps on sunnier, warm days after noon is imperative.  The July torrents of mosquitoes are waning, but bugs in the meadow sections can be a challenge. 

Don’t forget the Bechler River below Ouzel Creek remains under a Park advisory - it is not to be fished between the hours of 2 PM and 5 AM. 

Temperatures are going to warm a bit through the weekend and early next week, so it still makes sense to get on the water early for the best shot; there are still some PMDs in the very early morning hours.  

The overwhelming concensus is that for the bulk of the day you have two best choices for prospecting when the hatches aren’t active - a terrestrial dropper rig (hoppers, beetles and ants are working, generally smaller sizes) as well as a smaller hopper - dropper rig.  Standard nymph droppers will work, though most folks are using smaller bead heads (BH prince/hares ear/your favorite) and Lightning bugs. 
 
Hatches working include primarily include PMDs (mostly early AM) and Caddis (mostly after 2 PM), there might be a few midges earlier in the day.

If you have been in and fished the river, we will gladly credit you for information we can post in an update, please shoot us an email!

If you’re new to the site, check our How to Best Use This Site Page.

Flies to Have in the Box

Dries:  PMX, red, yellow, black and lime; Parachute PMD;  Electric Caddis, olive; Emergent Spakle Pupa; Parachute caddis; X Caddis, olive, black; Poly Wing Caddis; Twisted Sister and Babies, yellow & red, chartreuse & tan/orange

Nymphs:  BHFBPT; SF PT; Copper John;  Caddis - Mangy, Pulsating/Electric, Super Pupas; Prince / MegaPrince / BH Prince; Lightning bugs, gold, silver;

Terrestrials:  Grand Hopper, tan; Parachute Hopper; Daves Hopper; Ants- variety: Beetles - foam, smaller

Streamers / Other:  Black Bugger; Bow River Bugger; Girdle Bug; Orange/brown rubberlegs

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