NOW HIRING FOR THE 2022 SEASON: The Retail Sales Associate – Fly Shop Lead is a knowledgeable fly fisher, with a passion for fly fishing gear and the desire to provide Bighorn Angler patrons with a world class experience.
The Bighorn Angler is a fly shop and lodge located on the Bighorn River in Fort Smith, Montana. Read more...
Our water temps have finally dipped into the high 30’s, which is on par for this time of year. The fish seem to be adjusting to this as the fishing definitely hasn’t been ‘lights out’ by any means. Pick the non windy, warmer days and you’ll enjoy your time!
It’s mainly a nymph deal right now with the standard Winter fare – Carpet Bugs, Cotton Candy, Graveyard Midges, Zebra Midges and various other Sowbug/Midge patterns. Read more...
We just had an arctic blast and looks like the weather will be with us for a bit. The good news is the river has cleaned up and is back to great clarity and some grass on its way out. The browns are in full spawn mode as well, so please be mindful of them! Read more...
Well things were starting to turn around last week with the water clearing a bit. After the ferocious winds and varying weather patterns this past week, it looks like things have been stirred up making up for somewhat challenging fishing. In other words, the fishing kind of sucks but there are fish to be caught… We’re hoping that changes with the weather settling back to normal. Read more...
Conditions are improving on the Bighorn as nightime temps have dropped, which is what we’ve been waiting for. The river is still a bit green and the grass is still around, although quite a bit cleaner than it has been. This hasn’t kept the fishing from eating though!
We’ve started to see the Fall BWO’s along with Psuedos and even a few Tricos later in the mornings. Read more...
It looks like we’re entering that time of the year where the river conditions aren’t optimal, but the fish are handling it pretty well! Bighorn Lake has turned and we’re seeing the infamous green water throughout most of the upper river. Once you’re down below about the Bighorn Club, clarity has been noticeably better. Read more...
The Bighorn is a great place to be right now! Great Fall foliage, hungry fish and the crowds are down (most days). We’re starting to see a bit of the lake turnover after this past cold snap and the slight bump in river flow. The fish don’t seem to mind though! Read more...
The past few years, this is generally the time of year where we experience lake turnover and excessive amounts of grass. Thanks to the cold water temps and low flows this Summer, the river is in the best shape we have seen in years! Sure, there’s a bit of grass around on the lower river, but not enough to hinder your fish catching abilities. Read more...
The Bighorn continues to impress us with how long it’s giving us good fishing this Summer/Fall.
Good numbers of Black Caddis and Tan Caddis along with Psuedos have fish looking up as long, as it’s not too windy. The fish have not been pushovers and are well educated at this point in the season, but plenty of big ones are available. Read more...
We’re still looking good out here on the Bighorn. The entire river has been fishing well, besides the slight water adjustments going on. Flows are up around 1900 CFS and just a bit of salad drifting around with the flow increase. Water temps are still in the high 40’s – mid 50’s. Read more...
The Bighorn Angler is a fly shop and lodge located on the Bighorn River in Fort Smith, Montana. Read more...
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