Bighorn River Fishing Report 8/16

Flows are holding steady at a reliable 1,500 cfs, and mid-summer conditions on the Bighorn are locked in. We are seeing a noticeable uptick in bug activity across the board, making for some very productive days on the water.
One of the big developments right now is the expansion of caddis. We are seeing more and more caddis activity—both black and tan—spread out across the whole river. On top of that, PMDs are making a solid appearance, adding even more variety to the menu and giving the trout plenty of reasons to look up or feed with confidence in the water column.  It’s still an early afternoon affair, so don’t expect to see a whole lot in the morning hours.
What’s Working
  • Morning Routine: Start your day subsurface with proven staples. Tie on a Tailwater Sowbug, a Carpet Bug, or an orange scud to match the early morning food sources.
  • Late Morning & Afternoon: As the temps start to warm and the caddis and PMD activity picks up, transition your rig. Follow your lead fly with patterns like Poodle Sniffers, Pheasant Tails, Frenchies, a split-case PMD, or a variety of other PMD-themed nymphs.
The river is fishing well, the bug life is diversifying, and it’s prime time to be out. Stop by the shop to get your boxes dialed in, and we’ll see you on the water!