Bighorn Fishing Report 4/9

Spring has officially arrived on the Bighorn, and the river is responding with consistent fishing. For those looking to beat the April crowds, the window is wide open right now, with fishing very good particularly on the Upper 3-mile stretch and the lower river.

Flow Update: Dropping to 1500 cfs
The headline for the coming week is a shift in water management. While we are currently seeing a low-water spring at 1750 cfs, flows are scheduled to drop again to around 1500 cfs this next week. This will further concentrate fish in the primary buckets and walking-speed runs. For the wading angler, this drop is a gift, opening up even more mid-river bars and subtle seams that are usually out of reach.

The Spring Menu: Technical & Productive
With the water remaining low and gin-clear, presentation is everything. The trout are locked into a high-protein spring diet, but they are definitely starting to look for those early-season hatches of Baetis and Midges.

Foundation Patterns: The “Big Three” remain the Tailwater Sowbug, Orange Scud, and Carpet Bug..

The Midge/Baetis Transition: We are seeing increased activity with these bugs. Zebra Midges and Silver Bullet Baetis are essential right now as the river prepares for the first major BWO emergences.

The Anchor: Various Black Perdigons have been the go-to for getting your rig down quickly in the faster slots without adding unnecessary bulk to your leader.

We’re also seeing some productive streamer fishing. Concentrate on those deep troughs and buckets with sink tips. Stick to the classic patterns: Pete’s Bugger, Rusty Trombone, Goldie and Thin Mints.

The Bighorn is in prime “technical” shape—expect clear water, healthy fish, and plenty of opportunities for those who can manage a stealthy approach.