Late October Bighorn River Report

We’re nearing the end of a great, but interesting season on the Bighorn and getting prepared for some excellent late Fall/early Winter fishing.  Overall, it’s a ghost town out there most days but the fish are very willing to EAT!

Nymphing has really picked up and now is a good time to start sticking some of those big fish we have in the river this year as they are in peak shape.  Orange Scuds, Small tan and grey Sowbugs, some midges here and there.  Same old patterns, different week.  Fish are starting to bunch up in the deeper troughs as well, so don’t overlook the slower portions of runs.

Streamer fishing keeps getting better and better too!  Pick your cloudy, nasty days for the best results.  Tandem rigs with Small leeches, buggers are hard to beat right now.  Black, White, Olive, brown, seem to all be working.  Just keep rotating until you find the color of the day.

The lingering green water is still around and will be until we get consecutive cold, cold nights.  We’re guessing the next week or so until it starts clearing.  The grass is around a bit, although not like it was.

Look for our Fall Baetis to make an appearance, which should come with the upcoming cold front.  This is some of the best dry fly fishing of the year and you can usually have the place to yourself!