Bighorn River Fishing Report 7/1

We’re starting to turn the corner toward productive Summer fishing the past few days.  Water temps are warming just a bit and the fish are ready for the oncoming bugs.  We’re seeing a good amount of PMD nymphs moving around, which tells us the main event is just around the corner!  We still have some moss on the lower river, but the grass is starting to grow, which will help filter and slow it down.

The nymphing program is still the way to go.  Sowbugs have been dominating, but we are finding some fish on Split Cases and Frenchies, which is a good sign of things to come.  The Orange scuds are still in play and the small black bugs (Zebras, quills, perdigons) are working.  A few fish on worms as you get lower on the river, but with the super clear low water, don’t be surprised if the fish are scared to see them.

No serious reports of steady hopper fishing yet.  We need the grass to dry out a bit more and the hoppers to grow bigger, but should be just around the corner!