Bighorn River Alliance: Montana Fly Fishing Conservation
Posted by: Toby Swank
Date: 01/30/2026
Founded back in the mid-‘90’s, the Bighorn River Alliance is a Montana conservation group dedicated to preserving and protecting the Bighorn River. Through science and community collaboration, they are on the frontlines of fly fishing conservation in Montana.
Bighorn River Alliance
The Bighorn River Alliance (BHRA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing the ecological health, recreational value, and long-term sustainability of Montana’s Bighorn River. Guided by science, collaboration, and membership, BHRA works to ensure that this world-class tailwater and its wild trout continues to support thriving fisheries, resilient habitat, and meaningful human connections for generations to come.
Founded on the belief that healthy rivers require both strong science and engaged people, BHRA serves as a bridge between anglers, landowners, federal and state agencies, tribal partners, and the broader community. Work focuses on understanding how the river functions, identifying challenges to its health, and implementing practical, on-the-ground solutions that benefit both fish and people.
At the core of BHRA’s mission is a commitment to science-based decision-making. The organization leads long-term monitoring efforts on aquatic insects, water quality, and habitat conditions to understand how the Bighorn River responds to changes in flows, land use, and climate pressures. This information helps inform management decisions and provides a credible foundation for collaboration with state, federal and tribal agencies.
Equally important is BHRA’s role in habitat restoration and stewardship. By working with landowners and partners, BHRA has reconnected 9 side channels on the river, improving spawning and rearing habitat, while protecting critical river complex habitats. These efforts strengthen the river’s natural resilience while enhancing angling opportunities and ecosystem function.
BHRA also plays an active role in flow management advocacy, engaging with water managers and stakeholders to promote river flows that support healthy fisheries and balanced river operations. Through respectful collaboration and clear communication, we strive to align ecological needs with the realities of water use in the Bighorn Basin.
What They Do
- Restore and reconnect side channels to improve fish habitat and river resilience
- Conduct long-term monitoring of aquatic insects and water quality to inform management
- Advocate for science-based flow management that supports a healthy river system
- Partner with landowners, agencies, and local communities on stewardship projects
- Foster a strong conservation community centered on the Bighorn River
Through research, restoration, and collaboration, the Bighorn River Alliance works to protect not just a river, but a shared resource that supports wildlife, local economies, and a deep sense of place. By bringing people together around sound science and practical action, BHRA helps ensure the Bighorn River remains healthy, accessible, and resilient—now and into the future.
Join FFGS and Support BHRA
Fins and Feathers Guide Service supports the Bighorn River Alliance through cash contributions on an annual basis. This “lean” and focused organization relies on support from members and the broader community.
Please consider becoming a BHRA member or donating today. If you’ve ever spent a day fly fishing in Montana on the Bighorn River, this is a great way to give back to this amazing fishery while helping to ensure its future.
