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10/26 -- GOOD
"Flows have been risen to 1850cfs for hopefully through the winter. Water conditions are perfect for both clarity and sparse grass. Nymphing is still getting the job done, but dry fly fishing is still excellent for tricos, midges and pseudos. Streamer fishing is getting going." "A calm cloudy day yesterday provided for all day dry fly action. The tricos hatched for approximately six hours. Around lunch time, the pseudos started up and a little later in the afternoon, some fall baetis were mixed in and then the tricos decided to finally start dropping. There are a few tan caddis still around also and black caddis in the upper three."
10/19 -- VERY GOOD
"Nymphing is still getting the job done, but dry fly fishing is still excellent for tricos, midges and pseudos. Streamer fishing is getting going." "We're enjoying some of the best fall fishing in years. A small amount of aquatic grass, ideal water temperatures, and huge numbers of fish make for the perfect situation. Nymph fishing continues to be very good, with the fish taking both black caddis and tan caddis patterns. Olive Flashback Pheasant Tail works well, as do Hare's Ears, etc. The trico spinner fall is still providing good fishing, as are the fall Baetis. Not many black caddis adults, but the tan caddis are still good in the afternoon. Streamer fishing has been great on certain days."
10/12 -- EXCELLENT
"Flows remain at 1750cfs. Fishing is spectacular right now! It could hardly get any easier or be more exciting. Hatches remain consistent and prolific. Yesterday the Tan Caddis and Trico Hatches were probably the best we have seen in a decade. Spinner falls until 2PM and then caddis after that!!!!" "The dry fly fishing was simply awesome yesterday. We were on the upper 3, but heard the whole river fished very well. The cold weather has made the bugs explode even more. Before we even got in the boat we took advantage of numerous fish sucking down trico duns right below the boat ramp. The tricos fished well until around 10am. By late morning all hell broke loose and the pseudo emergence poured off in droves."
9/28 -- EXCELLENT
"Not much has changed in a good way because the fishing is still fantastic. The weather is to remain summer like for the foreseeable future, which will keep the dry fly fishing strong into October. At times right now it seems like just about anything will get eaten underneath with the right drift. The streamer bite is good, once the weather finally cools down the browns will get more aggressive, making the bite even better." "Fishing is spectacular right now! It could hardly get any easier or be more exciting. Hatches remain consistent and prolific. Things are pretty much the same as last week."
9/20 -- EXCELLENT
"Fishing is spectacular right now! It could hardly get any easier or be more exciting. Hatches remain consistent and prolific." "The consistent weather has kept the daily emergences and dry fly fishing going strong. Tan Caddis, Black Caddis and Tricos continue to dominate the surface action. Nymph fishing continues to be dominated by caddis pupa. Some guides and anglers have already broken out their streamer rods and sinking lines, look for the streamer bite to get even better over the next few months."
9/14 -- VERY GOOD
"While tan caddis, black caddis, PMD’s and pseudos continue to bring fish to the surface each day, the trico has been awesome. The prime time for fishing tricos is from 8 am to 11 am when the spinner fall is occurring. However, if you are willing to get up early, you can hit the trico dun emergence and get trout while they are on the hatching duns. If you had a few too many beers the night before or don’t feel like getting up so early, you’ll most likely be fishing trico spinners."
9/7 -- VERY GOOD
"The dry fly fishing continues to be red hot throughout the day. The early birds are getting on the trico holes and having great fishing. The tricos up until this point have been big, no need to fish 22′s yet. The pseudo’s poured off in the lower river yesterday afternoon, for people looking to test there wits against the pickiest of fish you will want to find the fish eating these. Black caddis continue to be the strongest hatch in the afternoons on the upper 3. Tan caddis are still the best thing going on the river."
8/31 -- VERY GOOD
8/27: "Fishing has been fantastic!!! Nymphing has been consistently great.. Dry fly fishing, tricos have just started recently... Streamers will also work for those inclined to throw them any color."
8/24 -- GOOD
"Nymphing is working all day, and if you're lucky, you'll catch a PMD or baetis/pseudo hatch. Hopper action seems to be more consistent on the lower river below 13 mile.
8/16 -- GOOD
"Good nymph fishing. Baetis, Black Caddis and PMDs hatching. Hopper fishing is productive at times." "Algae is no longer a major issue above Bighorn FAS. Fishing is pretty spectacular right now!"
8/3 -- GOOD
7/27: "Great nymph fishing. PMD, Yellow Sally, and Baetis are hatching during the day. Hopper fishing is productive at times."
7/26 -- GOOD
No new reports.
7/20 -- GOOD
From 7/13: "Baetis dry fly fishing continues to dominate the surface fishing, although hoppers are here and the fishing are starting to look at 'em. The upper river remains predominantly baetis on top with scuds and sowbugs or PMD or Yellow Sally numphs down under, while the lower river is better for hoppers."
7/5 -- GOOD
"Algae continues to be an annoyance below Three Mile, but the excellent fishing makes it tolerable. The gas bubble trauma issue seems to be abating. Baetis dry fly fishing continues to dominate the surface fishing, although hoppers are here and the fishing are starting to look at 'em."
6/29 -- GOOD
"Algae continues to be a problem below Three Mile, but the good fishing makes it tolerable. Baetis dry fly fishing is what's happening most days. The upper river is predominantly baetis on top with scuds and sowbugs down under."
6/21 -- GOOD
No new reports.
6/15 -- GOOD
"Good nymph fishing. Sporadic dry fly fishing throughout the day. Baetis hatching mid-afternoon. Some midge fishing in the evening." "Baetis, baetis, baetis. Baetis dry fly fishing is epic most days right now."
6/9 -- GOOD
"Good nymph fishing. Some dry fly fishing throughout the day, especially in the afternoon and evening."
6/1 -- GOOD
"Nymph fishing in the morning and dries in the afternoon. Use Baetis nymphs and midge pupa - the Flashback Quill or RS2 are working, along with Zebra Midges. Baetis mayflies are hatching mid-afternoon. Fish a CDC Baetis Dun with a Student behind it for the Baetis, a Smoke Jumper for the midges. Moss is a factor as you get farther downstream of Afterbay Dam."
| Bighorn River Fly Shops and Guides | Fly Shop | Guide Service | Lodging | |
Anglers EdgeFort Smith, MT | Phone: |
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Big Sky Fly FishersBillings, MT | Phone: 406-690-4752 |
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Bighorn AnglerFort Smith, MT | Phone: 866-925-8337 |
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Bighorn Fly And TackleHardin, MT | Phone: 888-665-1321 |
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Bighorn River Fly FisherFort Smith, MT | Phone: 866-658-7688 |
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Bighorn River LodgeFort Smith, MT | Phone: 800-235-5450 |
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Bighorn Trout ShopFort Smith, MT | Phone: 406-666-2375 |
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Blue Quill Fly CompanySheridan, WY | Phone: 307-673-1505 |
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Bluffs on the BighornFort Smith, MT | Phone: 866-9-BLUFFS |
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Cottonwood CampFort Smith, MT | Phone: 406-666-2391 |
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Eagles Nest LodgeHardin, MT | Phone: 406-665-3711 |
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Forrester's Bighorn River ResortPOB 7595 Fort Smith, MT | Phone: 1-800-665-3799 |
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Forresters Bighorn River ResortFort Smith, MT | Phone: 800-665-3799 |
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Fort Smith Fly Shop CabinsFort Smith, MT | Phone: 406-666-2550 |
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Montana Fishing OutfittersHelena, MT | Phone: 406-431-5089 |
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North Fork AnglersCody, WY | Phone: 307-527-7274 |
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Rainbow Run Fly ShopBillings, MT | Phone: 406-656-3455 |
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Riverbend Angler ResortFort Smith, MT | Phone: 877-55-TROUT |
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Royal Bighorn LodgeSt. Xavier L, ge | Phone: 406-666-2340 |
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Troutsource Fly ShopGranite Bay, CA | Phone: 916-797-6138 |
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Two Leggins OutfittersHardin, MT | Phone: 406-665-2825 |
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