Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions | Montana | Bighorn River

Bighorn River, Montana Fly Fishing Report & Conditions

Bighorn River Weather Forecast, MT

Mirage Big Game Fly Fishing Reels - Watch Video

Reported by Forrester's Bighorn River Resort

Fishing Report Last Updated:

02 / 08 / 10

Fishing Conditions

Good

Water flow: 2,749cfs

Visibility: 50 inches

Water temperature at mid-day: 48 Degrees F

Water condition: Clear

Best time of day to fish: 8:00am till dark (about 4:30)

Best stretch: Afterbay to Bighorn is the best stretch right now.

Best access point: 1st - After Bay 2nd - 3 mile 3rd - Bighorn

Fly fishing hatches in order of importance:

Small baetis
A few midges

"Must-have" fly fishing patterns in descending order of importance:

Fly Name:	Fly Color:	Fly Size(s):
Cmo Caddis	black, tan	16-18
Cdc Comparadun Dry Fly	Tan	20
San Juan Worm	Red or red and tan	8-10
Blue Wing Olive Parachute	Bluewing Olive	18-20
Bluewing Olive	Olive	18-20
Adams	Grey	20
Yellow sulpher dun	Yellow	20
Soft Hackle Ray Charles	Pink	16-18
Soft Hackle Ray Charles	grey

Orvis-Endorsed guides nearby: Forrester's Bighorn River
Eagle Nest Lodge

Fish species: Wild Rainbow & Brown Trout

Fishing season: Year Round (Prime: April 1 - October 31)

Nearest airport: Billings Logan International Airport (BIL)

Recommended fly fishing leader: 9 Foot Leader

Recommended fly fishing tippet: 5X Tippet Size

Best fly fishing rod: 9' 5 Weight Fly Rod

Best floating fly line: Trout WF

Real-time water flow data from USGS:

The flows are at 2,749cfs. Streamer fishing is starting to be the preference for the angles this week. Casting toward the bank and stripping it back 20 feet or so. Out in the deeper pools can be exciting letting your streamer sink near the bottom before starting to strip. A light sink tip line is ideal for this style of fishing. There are some blue winged olives starting to appear and the fish are on them through out the day. River Flows —- 2,850cfs

Best Fly Fishing Techniques & Tips

Stripping streamers is best done from the middle of the stream and casting toward the banks and seams. Either wading on bars or from the boat this is the choice of most anglers right now. Dry fly fishing is best done from down stream from the fish, presenting the fly as a dead drift. Nymph fishing below indicators with 9′-3X leaders (Orvis Superstrong # KM0714-61) 1 BB and a B shot seem to be the right weight. Orvis’ Helios Rod with it’s strong backbone, is really handling these bigger fish very well. I prefer the Helios 6 weight. (ZG Helios 906-4 Tip 9.5)

7-Day Fly Fishing Forecast

Colder temps! This week it's going to get into low to mid 30's but should be good as the water is still about 48 so it feels warm. Even with cooler weather, the dry fly fishing is hanging in there. Baetis are starting to be heavier every day now. Streamers are effective as the browns are starting to get their spawn personality going. Mid day temps are expected to be in the mid 30's. Water temps are near perfect at 48.

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