Good to see some smiling clients get out on the water….FINALLY! It’s been a busy couple weeks around here at the Angler….FINALLY!
Fishing has been consistent and mostly a nymphing game right now. Water temps remain in the low to mid 40s with the Baetis and midges singing their swan song after a fantastic spring, surprisingly still seeing some rising pods of fish on the right overcast, cooler days. Read more...
We always look forward to late Spring in the Bighorn Valley for one thing – Awesome Carp fishing. Yes, you read that right. Carp fishing on Bighorn lake is one of the most unique experiences one can have in the world of fly fishing. If you want to test your casting and fish hunting ability, this is where you need to be. Read more...
Water levels have come up just a bit the past few days to around 2350 CFS. The increase in flows has helped out the fishing overall, but it’s not a gimme out there right now. We still have a good majority of rainbows in the system finishing up the spawn. Read more...
We’re finally heading in the right direction as far as water is concerned. The river this past week got a lot lower than what was expected and definitely put some stress on the fish. Good news is we’re up to 2250 CFS as of yesterday afternoon and the fish should have a few more spots to shift into. 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...
Not a whole lot of things have changed the past week on the Bighorn. Flows are stable at around the 2K CFS mark and the river remains gin clear and there is some moss showing up on the lower river. This is something we used to see in the lower water years and it will eventually clear out when Summer rolls in. 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...
It’s sure has been a gloomy Memorial day weekend on the Bighorn, but it also made for great numbers of bugs and awesome dry fly fishing! Despite the crappy weather, folks came out of the woodwork to get their fish fix.
There have been some excellent windows of dry fly fishing with Midges and Baetis, but with the sunnier weather up ahead, look for that to be more limited to early morning and late evening. Read more...
Water conditions are prime on the Bighorn. Current flows are around 2500 CFS and should be there for quite some time, as our snowpack is diminishing. This is a good thing! We’re looking forward to a lower, normal water Summer for the first time in about 8 years. Current water temps are in the mid 40’s at the peak of mid day’s heat. 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...