Flows are holding steady at 1,500 cfs, and the summer rhythm on the Bighorn is getting stronger by the day. As an update to our last report, the bug life is really starting to expand down in the 3-to-B section.
We are seeing more and more black caddis filling out the water, alongside an increasing presence of tan caddis and PMDs beginning to show up.
The Bighorn River in Montana is currently fishing with consistent, stabilized conditions. Flows are hovering around 1,500 CFS, a level that is expected to hold steady for the foreseeable future. With the BOR maintaining stable releases, water clarity is excellent, but there is a bit of drifting moss below 3 Mile.
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.
Finally! The weather is nice enough to get out and fish (besides the wind lately). The folks who made it out the last few days reported pretty epic fishing, mostly nymphs and streamers. This is one of our favorite times to fish the river as it is at its cleanest point of the year. Read more...
We’re getting closer to clear water on the Bighorn. We still have some green water coming out of the Afterbay, but it appears to be clearing as you head downstream. The grass has been breaking off with the cooler nights and expect it to be around for another couple/few weeks for sure. Read more...
We’re closing in on winter in the Bighorn Valley, but you wouldn’t think so with the awesome weather we’ve had! The river is still a bit ‘off’, with green water and a healthy amount of grass breaking free. The streamer crowd is here and doing well, for the most part. Nymphing has been a bit hit and miss, but picking up fish throughout the day. Read more...
The green water has finally found its way to the Bighorn River. It happens every year and was a bit later this season. We’re still catching some fish and seeing some good windows of activity, but with the reduced water clarity expect the fishing to be tougher. Good news is the crowds are way down, so you’ll practically have the place to yourself. Read more...
The water appears to be headed in the ‘green’ direction but fishing remains pretty good. Cool nightime temps has grass breaking free, so be sure to keep your bugs clean!
Subsurface, we are liking Worms, Dorsey’s Scud, Carpet Bugs, Softhackle Rays and Tailwater sows.
Streamer fishing is picking up. The standard fare like Jig Thin Mints, Pete’s Buggers, Goldies and Rusty Trombones are working well. Read more...
Fall is slowly sneaking into the Bighorn valley as we near the end of our busy season. Fishing has been good, but certainly more ‘on and off’ days lately. Lots of Tricos still around, but the fish seem to be more content feeding subsurace. Cool night-time temps has the grass breaking off, otherwise the river is still looking good. Read more...
Fishing is rolling along as we move into Fall. The dry fly bite is winding down a bit but subsurface fishing has been stellar! Lots of big healthy fish throughout the entire Bighorn River system right now. The upper 3 has a bit of grass growth, but everything below remains clean and fishing very well. Read more...