The Hatches - Bighorn Trout Shop

The Hatches

The Bighorn resembles a huge spring creek in character and insect life.

Midge, mayfly and caddis hatches can be intense, with multiple hatch situations being quite common. In March and April midges start off the dry fly season, followed in May and early June by Baetis (Blue Wing Olive) mayflies. During mid-July and through August, Pale Morning Duns (E. Infrequons) bring up pods of rising trout. August and September brings the emergence of black caddis and Tricorythodes mayflies. Throughout early autumn a small pale-olive Baetis mayfly (formerly Pseudocloen) and a species of tan caddis provide topwater action.

The River’s gentle character and abundant insect hatches provide anglers with outstanding opportunities to test their skills against wild, trophy trout. It is truly Montana fly fishing at its best!