Popular
Sections and Access Points: The Beaverhead is easily accessed from
Interstate 15 at Exit 44 at the dam; Exit 52 at Grasshopper Creek; Exit 59 with
the junction to Highway 278 to Wisdom, and Exit 62 and 63 in the town of
Dillon. For a quick preview of the river, follow the secondary road just past
Poindexter Slough south of Dillon near the junction with Highway 278. This
secondary road winds its way all the way up to the dam crossing the river and
under the Interstate. At times it joins with old highway 91. In some places it
looks like a private ranch road. Wade fishers can travel this road to hop out
and fish, and floaters new to the river should follow the road to check out
each of the access points.
Clark Canyon
Dam or High Bridge to Grasshopper Creek Access or Barrett's Park:
Built in 1965,
the base of the dam provides a launch site and a picnic spot along with a
couple of camping sites. Less than a mile downstream, High Bridge offers an
easier launch site. Wade fishers have a short stretch above and below the
bridge to fish. This upper section is renown for its swift current and river
bends. Henneberry Bridge is about six miles from the dam, and it too offers a
good exit point or boat launch along with a picnic area. Henneberry Bridge is
most easily found by following the secondary road south from Exit 52.
Grasshopper Creek Access is the next access downstream, about ten miles
from the dam. From Grasshopper Creek to Barrett's Park is the last floating
stretch of the river. During high water the park take-out can be tricky as it
is right in front of a low bridge, and there is no room for error. When you see
the bridge, slip over and hug the left bank.
Tash to Cornell
Park: Referred
to as "Tash to Trash" by the local guides, the Tash access point is
near the junction with Highway 278 by Poindexter Slough. A short float of about
five miles, this popular evening float exits at the weir in Cornell Park in the
town of Dillon not too far from the dump. To find Cornell Park follow North
Montana Street past the museum and Depot until it comes to a T intersection.
Turn west and follow the KOA signs. The park is about a half-mile further and
offers a hand-launch site.
Cornell Park to
Anderson Road: Be
sure you take note of the low bridge and debris at the train trestle on Highway
91 at the north end of town. It could prove tricky during high water periods
for a high bow drift boat. The exit point for this 12-14 mile float is Anderson
Road, which may be reached at mile marker 7.4 north of Dillon on Highway 41 to
Twin Bridges (28 miles from Dillon). The road is un-marked, but across the
street is a ranch complex with silos. Turn west 1.3 miles. The access is small
and next to a county bridge. Anderson Road may also be reached at mile marker
5.6 on Highway 91 north of town on the way to Butte.
Fly fishers
visiting the Beaverhead River should also consider fishing Poindexter Slough
for good catches of browns in a spring creek environment as well as Clark
Canyon Reservoir which produces exceptionally large rainbows. Stocked in the
lake in the spring at 4 inches, these Eagle Lake strain rainbows grow in excess
of twelve inches the first year and easily reach 5-Pounder status in three years.
Although popular with boat fishermen, the lake is likewise popular with float
tubers searching out these lake lunkers.
