Tag Archive for: bighorn nymph fishing

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...

The Bighorn is looking great these days since the opening of the upper access points last week.  We’re still surprised by the lack of people taking advantage of the prime spring conditions the river is offering.  This past weekend there were a handful of folks out, but not like you’d think.  Read more...

The Jellybean Sowbug is a very simple pattern to tie and works well throughout the season on the Bighorn.  Guide Bryen Venema ties his version of the Jellybean in this video.  This pattern is available to purchase on our online store here as well.

JELLYBEAN SOWBUG

Hook: 2X heavy wire scud (TMC 2457 or equivalent) Sizes 14-18

Thread: Fl. Read more...

The Cotton Candy has become a Bighorn Guides’ favorite Sowbug pattern for the past few years.  It’s a fairly simple pattern to tie and holds up great.  It’s definitely a ‘Must Have’ pattern for the Spring the Bighorn.  If you don’t like tying them, you can order them straight from us HERE. Read more...

It looks like COVID-19 regulations have caught up to us in the Bighorn Valley.  As of 5 PM yesterday, March 20th, all lodges and accommodations have been asked to close down for at least a week and then a reevaluation will take place.  Luckily no cases, yet, in our region.  Our retail fly shop will remain open most every morning for shuttles, flies and supplies.   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...

Flows are up to 4250 CFS from last weeks snowmelt and the fishing is still great.  Water temps have come up as a result and the fish have spread out a bit more.  We even saw a good amount of fish up on Midges yesterday (a first for this year) and several Baetis down lower, so maybe a sign of things to come?.. Read more...

It looks like we’re going to have a great weekend ahead of us.  We’ll be around the shop all week and weekend so come in and pick up a new license, flies, shuttle, or whatever else.

Nymphing continues to be the most productive fish catching method.  I would say it’s consistent, but inconsistent.   Read more...