Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions | Montana | Bighorn River

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Bighorn River, Montana Fly Fishing Report & Conditions
Bighorn River, Montana Fly Fishing Report & Conditions Map of Bighorn River, Montana

Reported by Forrester's Bighorn River Resort Fishing Report Last Updated:
11 / 16 / 09

Fishing Conditions

Good

Water flow: 2,825cfs

Visibility: 60 inches

Water temperature at mid-day: 59 Degrees F

Water condition: Clear

Best time of day to fish: 6:00am till dark

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 are starting to appear
A few midges starting

"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 - September 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 2,850cfs. 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 leting 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. The bottom tributaries are starting to clear up so the lower river is getting better. River Flows —- 2,850cfs


Best Fly Fishing Techniques & Tips

The fish are moving into the more oxygenated heavy water now with the water temps being near perfect for browns and rainbows Sight fishing is great. 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) 2 BB’s shot seem to be the right weight. Orvis’ Helios Rod with it’s strong backbone, is really handling extra weight and bigger fish very well. I prefer the Helios 6 weight. (ZG Helios 906-4 Tip 9.5)

7-Day Fly Fishing Forecast

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 which will start some time next month. Mid day temps are expected to be in the mid 50's. . Water temps are near perfect at 59.


  1. Big Hole River
  2. Clark Fork River
  3. Gallatin River
  4. Kootenai River
  5. Madison River - Below Ennis Lake
  6. Madison River - Between Quake Lake and Ennis
  7. Missouri River - Below Holter Dam
  8. Yellowstone River - Livingston

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Fly fishing reports by the Orvis guide network