I constantly get this question from customers, “When is the best time to fish the Bighorn?” By “best time”, they envision low flows, crystal-clear water, minimal algae and aquatic grass, and rising fish. Bighorn River Conditions and Fishing Report for June 3,2020. The flies of choice are on the small size 16-20’s with tippets ranging from 3x-5x fished with 8 ½ - 9 foot 4-6 weight rods. NETTED A 24" BROWN TROUT 09/17/20 “But I’m not a streamer fisherman”, you might say. There is a small airstrip in Ft. Smith that can accommodate private planes. Biologists also noted that high water flows this spring did not start until after most brown trout had hatched, leaving hope that this year’s schools will thrive with less competition. 3 Mile
Big Hole RiverBitterroot RiverBitterroot River, East ForkBitterroot River, West ForkBlackfoot RiverLower Clark Fork RiverClark Fork RiverMiddle Fork Flathead RiverNorth Fork Flathead RiverFlint CreekGallatin RiverGeorgetown LakeKootenai RiverMadison River, Between Quake Lake and EnnisMadison River, Below Ennis LakeMissouri, Below Holter DamRock CreekYellowstone River, Water temperature at mid-day: 46 Degrees F, Best time of day to fish: Mid Morning to late Afternoon, Best access point: Afterbay The fish was restocked in the upper river beginning in 1996. Copyright 2020 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Mike Ruggles, the agency’s regional manager, said brown trout eggs typically hatch in March and April, which is when high spring flows from the Yellowtail Dam likely moved enough riverbed gravel to crush unhatched eggs and kill small fish.
The fish numbers are smaller due to the water quality by tributary run off as well as irrigation returned ditches on this lower section of the river. Back to Rivers.
Catching Big Fish average 18 to 22"!! Nymph fishing is slow to fair depending on the day. The last section, Bighorn to Mallards, is the start of the motorized craft area.
Most of you know that the Bighorn River has experienced record water flows this spring.
“I never do well with them.” I can help you with that. River flows are at 2,100 cfs. Bighorn River Fishing Update October 28 October 28, 2020 3:31 pm Published by Pete Shanafelt Leave your thoughts. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Shooting line is easy. Few Drys include: the #22 CDC Baetis, Pale Olive Baetis and #20 Trico Spinner. This river always lives up to the legendary status that it has become. With a floating line you get more of that up-and-down, jigging action when you strip your streamer, plus you can pause your retrieve without having to worry about snagging bottom.
A challenging aspect of Bighorn River streamer fishing is the presence of algae and aquatic grass.
Prime flows for the Bighorn range from 2,000 to 5,000 CFS.
I predict that some lucky Bighorn River angler will catch a double-digit fish this summer. Streamers :Wully Bugger - Olive & Black 6-10 BILLINGS- Trout numbers in the Bighorn River hit record lows this spring, which state biologists say corresponds with high river flows below Yellowtail Dam the previous two spring hatch seasons. This will take care of some of your casting inadequacies.
Water temperature remains around the 47. This spring’s survey showed 370 brown trout and 870 rainbow trout, all over eight inches long, per mile of river, the lowest since survey launched in 1992, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks reported Wednesday. It’s common to see trout rolling, slashing, and leaping out of the water to gorge themselves on these little baitfish. Of course, as it regards Montana trout rivers, “normal” has a fluid definition, no pun intended. However, they added that those fish are starting to die off, leading to a significant decline over the next two years. Fly fishing hatches in order of importance: Nymph patterns include: Jelly Bean Sowbug, #16, #18 Carpet Sowbug, #14,#16 16 Soft Hackle Sowbug, and Sowbugs (grey or tan), #14,##16, #18 Flashback Quill ,#8, #10 San Juan Worm (wine & red & 2 tone), #14, #16 Ray Charles, SJW's in Wine and 2 tone colors, SH Sowbugs (Tan, Pink 14-16), Orange Twisted Scuds, Flashback scuds (12-14), First, you need to quit living in the past and buy the right fly line. My answer to checking off all the requirements is as follows: April 11th. These islands create unique riffle corners, side channels and drop offs that always yield some great fish and great memories. When the water temps are optimal and the fish are grabby, floating lines are outstanding. The Bighorn's course is as unique as its fishing. This year we’ve had problems meeting the ideal conditions requirements, yet we’ve also enjoyed outstanding fishing, especially if you can throw streamers. During the different hatches it is not unusual to have 10-20 fish with in easily casting distances. Hatches are prolific the entire year and because the Bighorn is in the southeastern corner of the state and at a lower elevation than many Montana streams it can, and does fish well, the entire year. With broad riffles followed by deep pools. BILLINGS- Trout numbers in the Bighorn River hit record lows this spring, which state biologists say corresponds with high river flows below Yellowtail Dam … Say you have snagged a sizeable, stringy piece of algae.
Water temps are in the 56-58 degree range depending what portion of the river you are on. With nearly 5500 fish per mile at an average of 17 inches, it is no surprise the river is known for its fantastic fishing. Flows are steady at 2400cfs, however the Bighorn is experiencing a lake turnover that has dirtied up the water. Strip the fly close to the boat, lift the line to bring the fly close to the surface, then make an anemic roll cast. River Data: River flow: 3500 cfs Water Temp: 39 F Water Clarity: Incredibly clear and perfect The cold water bite is coming to an end on the Bighorn River. “Challenging aspect” is fly shop speak for “this moss pisses me off!” There are methods to deal with algae’s grim reality, and you must master them to keep your fly clean enough to catch lots of fish.
A challenging aspect of Bighorn River streamer fishing is the presence of algae and aquatic grass. Don’t panic.
Bighorn trout love to eat the fly when it’s falling or sitting still, kind of like most people prefer their snacks to be stationary when they reach for them. These lines have, short, aggressive 30’ heads, and you can pound the bank with a minimum of false casting. Just recently, Steve Hilbers and David Dill found a 29” brown trout that was dying. With an average of 50 degrees the aquatic bug life is truly a biologists dream. Bighorn River Facts. Yellowtail Dam forms the Bighorn Lake and the great tailwater fishery of the Big Horn River. Since 1856, Bighorn River, Montana Fly Fishing Reports & Conditions. We are blessed to live in a very rural setting but we have to stay vigilant with what is happening in our country...please stay healthy and safe... Madison River, Between Quake Lake and Ennis. Nymphing, Pink and orange bead head sow bugs size 14, 16 and scuds is still working the best. Even though there are over several thousand fish per mile doesn't mean that fish are pushovers, quite the contrary as the Bighorn is still a technical river that requires some local knowledge and patience to fish successfully.
Billings Montana is a the nearest major city which is a 90 minute drive and nearest major airport with commercial service. The Bighorn is the ideal river for anyone wishing to head to one destination and intimately fish one river. Despite the high flows, the black caddis hatch is now well underway, and anglers have reported good dry fly fishing in selected areas, but the water will need to come down further to ensure consistent surface action. As mentioned the Bighorn is arguably one of the finest streams in the state, and in the world. The fish was had a 19” girth and was estimated to weigh about 13 pounds.
Lake fish have a more silvery color cast than their river brethren, but as they spend time in the river, the browns develop the golden hue that Bighorn trout are known for, and the rainbows shed their chrome exterior. Whether you are a dry-fly purist that enjoys the thrill of hooking a big fish out of an active pod of feeding heads or a greenhorn that is learning the art of “setting the hook” for the first time, opportunities abound. Bank or wading anglers are limited by a few state owned accesses and gaining permission from landowners is difficult, mainly because it flows through the Crow Indian Reservation. We reached a high of 14,000 cfs back in May —we’re at 9,500 now —but we’re almost to the point where the river can finally be drawn down and life can return to normal. Good line management and weed removal techniques are essential, and those who cover the most water win. 13 Mile.
The upper Bighorn River is also home to shovelnose sturgeon, a once-native fish that died off after the river was dammed. The Bighorn truly is one of the great fisheries in the world.
Yellowtail is a 525 foot concrete dam, that fills a remarkable 71 mile “breath taking” canyon and offers recreation for boating enthusiasts. All this is way early, but water temps have been in the 60-degree range for several weeks now, and warmer water temps accelerate the hatch schedule. It is a very Find out where the action is, what the water conditions are and everything you need for a successful day on the water! The Bighorn River in Wyoming is an absolutely amazing fishery that you can fish year-round for big healthy browns, rainbows, and the occasional cutthroat trout. The Bighorn River is well known for both its great nymph fishing and its incredible seasonal hatches.
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