The spring transition is officially underway on the Bighorn River. While the first Baetis of the season are starting to show, rising fish are still rare, so keep your dry fly expectations tempered for now. It’s about to happen!
Nymphing remains the most productive method for finding consistent action in these tailwater conditions.
The calendar might still say March, but the river is already acting like it’s ready for the main event. Spring is officially just around the corner, and the Bighorn is responding with some of the most consistent action we’ve seen all year. Fishing has been very good on the upper 3 and the lower river stretches producing quality fish for those willing to deal with a bit of drifting vegetation. Read more...
Recent colder weather reminds us that Spring in Montana can be cruel. It also can result in great fishing, which is where things are headed. The Spring Baetis are slowly growing in numbers and along with prevalent Midge hatches, it’s getting closer to one of our favorite dry fly seasons of the year. Read more...
Between the wind and well, the wind, there’s been some small windows of opportunity on the Bighorn. Those who have made it down have had good things to say. Winter tailwater fishing at its’ finest right now.
Bighorn fish are eating well the entire span of the river, mainly subsurface. Read more...
This past Summer we fished with the crew from the New Fly Fisher and are proud to share the episode to you. Please be sure to follow @thenewflyfisher ‘s YouTube page as well. A big thanks to Mark Melnyk and crew.
We’re looking forward to another awesome Summer just like this past year! 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’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...