Streamers are a versatile and effective fly pattern for targeting trout on the Bighorn River. Whether you’re fishing in the fall, winter, or spring, these patterns can be deadly. Here are some of our top picks:
A classic streamer pattern that imitates a variety of baitfish. Its realistic profile and flashy colors make it a top choice for trout. Read more...
The Bighorn River is renowned for its prolific Pale Morning Dun Mayfly (PMD) hatches, which typically occur from late July to early August. During this time, anglers can witness a spectacular display of rising trout, eager to feast on these delectable insects. To maximize your success during this prime fishing period, it’s essential to have the right flies in your box.
The Bighorn River is known for its epic hatches, and during the summer months, caddisflies emerge in abundance, providing anglers with exciting fishing opportunities. Here are some top-performing caddis patterns to target these insects:
A classic caddis pattern, the Double Duck Caddis features two CDC wings that create a lifelike appearance and excellent flotation. Read more...
We’re currently experiencing some of the best PMD fishing we’ve seen in years on the Bighorn. The fish are eating them with reckless abandon (a good presentation is still necessary) but it’s damn good! Here is one of our favorite PMD nymphs ever that works across the West and is especially good on the Bighorn. Read more...
We lost another Bighorn legend yesterday. Brad Downey was a well known guide on the Bighorn and just a great guy! We wish his family peace and hope Brad is enjoying some margaritas with the fishing gods!
In honor of Brad, I am featuring the Wondernymph this week. This is a must have Baetis pattern and is a very cool and unique pattern overall. Read more...
Midges are available year round to Bighorn fish. They are especially important in the Spring. On a lower water year, which we are experiencing now, our Bighorn fish become very selective and you must carry a wide variety of Pupa and Larva versions in all sizes and colors. The Green Weenie dates back a good while in Bighorn fly pattern history and has resurfaced as a ‘must have’ pattern this past winter and Spring. Read more...
The Student has long been a staple for anglers on the Bighorn during the hatches of Spring Baetis. It is arguably one of the best patterns for difficult fish. It is often hard to see as it is one of the more sparse CDC patterns we fish, but we changed that. Read more...
We have gone in and added several new patterns to our already extensive Bighorn and Montana fly selection @ flyshopexperts.com. Check out our Custom Shop patterns as well here . These guide developed and tested patterns are found nowhere else in the world! Read more...
Pat Schelle is one of our most valuable assets to our business and provides many of the custom patterns that fill our bins and put Bighorn trout in our nets. Here is a cool article Big Sky Journal did back in 2009 about Pat and his famous pattern, the LBF. If you haven’t fished this pattern yet, you need to! Read more...
Sowbugs have no doubt become maybe the most abundant food source underneath the surface for Bighorn trout. We’ve come quite a ways from the Ray Charles, although still a very effective fly. There’s no doubt this year with a few less fish in the river, the fish will be more selective and having a range of different patterns will be a must. Read more...