Bighorn River Fishing Report
Last Updated
05/07/2024
Current Report
The nymph fishing has been fair to good. Water flows are a bit high for this time of year, but not excessive. Flows have dropped this afternoon to 5,500 cfs. There are plenty of Baetis around, and a few midges as well, but fish are only feeding on them in a few spots. These rising fish can be very selective. We expect the dry fly fishing to improve as the river comes down further. Water temperature is cold, and you’ll find fish piled up in certain areas. Fish are eating Baetis nymphs, sowbugs and midge pupa. Fish the slow to medium-current speed runs. Streamer fishing has been slow, but a few anglers have done well using heavy sink-tip fly lines with smaller fly patterns.
Weather Report
Hatch Info
Baetis and midges
One-Week Forecast
Same
River Flows
5,500 cfs
USGS Current Conditions
Water Temperature
43 degrees
Hot Fly Patterns
Nymphs
#18 Red Midge Larva; #18 BP-3; #18 Flashback Quill Nymph; #18 Zebra Midge; #16,#18 Frenchie (gold bead, orange color); #16 Two-Tone Scud; #16 Orange Scud; #14, #16 Soft Hackle Sowbug; #14, #16 Ray Charles (grey or tan);
Dry Flies
#20 Smoke Jumper; #20 Parachute Adams; #20 CDC Baetis Dun (fish will eat it for a Baetis or a midge); #20 Student
Streamers
#4 Dirty Hippie (cream), #4, #6 White Zonker; #4, #6 Rusty Trombone (this pattern has been especially productive); #6 Grinch; #6 Thin Mint Wooley Bugger;