We are officially in a classic autumn transition period on the Bighorn. Bighorn Lake is experiencing its annual turnover, and the river has been taking on some characteristic “greener” water as things mix. Because of this seasonal shift, overall fishing has gotten a bit tougher. Hatches in general—and the caddis in particular—are definitely starting to fade.
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River flows have bumped up to 1,800 cfs, a jump that has thrown the trout off just a bit and made the bite a little more technical as they adjust to the higher water. While the lake hasn’t fully turned over yet, we are starting to see a touch of “green” water up on the upper 3 miles—a classic early indicator of the seasonal turnover starting to signal what’s on the horizon.
Flows have leveled back down nicely and are currently holding steady between 1,400 and 1,500 cfs. The late-summer rhythm on the river is treating us well, and conditions are shaping up wonderfully as we move deeper into September.
Bug activity continues to offer great variety throughout the day. We are still seeing some good, reliable windows of black caddis, alongside a few PMDs and pseudos making an appearance during the afternoon hours to keep the trout looking up.
We are seeing a noticeable weather change move into the area, bringing cooler temperatures that might slow down the caddis activity a bit. But as any seasoned Bighorn angler knows, a shift in the weather usually brings its own kind of reward. With the cooler conditions settling in, streamer fishing is poised to pick up, and the nymph bite remains as reliable as ever.
Flows recently dipped down to 1,350 cfs, due to some blockage at the Afterbay gates. We are expecting them to level back out at 1,500 cfs any day now. Even with the slight fluctuation, the late-summer rhythm on the Bighorn is holding strong, and September is shaping up to be an incredible month on the water since many of our hatches have run a bit later this season.
Flows have bumped up just a bit to 1,600 cfs, and combined with the seasonal grass growth along the banks, the river is fishing with a bit more depth and character right now. Conditions are setting up nicely, and the late-summer rhythm on the Bighorn is in full swing.
Bug activity remains pretty robust across the system.
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.
If you caught our last report, you know the Bighorn was starting to turn a corner—and we are happy to share that the momentum is continuing right into a true, classic Bighorn summer. Flows are holding steady at 1,500 cfs, and the river is fishing the way we love to see it.
The Bighorn is settling into its classic mid-summer rhythm, holding steady at 1,500 cfs. If the past few weeks felt a little tight, you’ll be pleased to hear that the river is finally turning a corner. We are seeing that familiar “Bighorn magic” return, and the fishing is shaping up to be just like what we’ve all grown to love about summers on this river. Read more...
The Bighorn River is currently in fantastic shape, with flows holding steady at a very manageable 1,500 CFS. Water clarity is excellent across the board, providing ideal conditions for anglers. You will encounter a bit of moss below the 3-Mile access point, but it is easily manageable and shouldn’t deter you from working those lower stretches.