Bighorn River Fishing Report
Date: 07/23/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Bighorn River is fishing the way it should this time of year. If you're making the drive, expect good fishing from the first cast to the last, with plenty of fish willing to eat both nymphs and dries.
Nymphing is still the most dependable way to put fish in the net. A sowbug with a scud, zebra midge, or split case PMD underneath is hard to beat. Keep the flies moving naturally, and if you're not finding the bottom every now and then, add weight before changing patterns.
There have been plenty of fish looking up. PMDs are still around, caddis have been consistent, and the trico fishing continues to improve. If you find rising fish, put the indicator away and fish to them. Presentation will matter a lot more than having the exact fly.
The Bighorn is in a good stretch right now. Keep your fly selection simple, adjust your depth before changing flies, and let the fish tell you when it's time to switch from nymphs to dries
Additional Resources:
- The Best Bozeman Fly Fishing in July
Stream Flows
View stream flow graph on USGS
Recommended Flies
Black Zebra Midge
Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug
Tailwater Sowbug
Black Lite Brite Perdigon
Skiddish Smolt
Sparkle Minnow
Gray Gonga
Orange Scud
Bighorn River Fly Fishing
The Bighorn River, emerging from the base of Afterbay Dam near Fort Smith, Montana, is one of the state’s premier tailwater fisheries. Fed by cold, consistent flows from Yellowtail Dam, the river offers exceptional fly fishing opportunities across the first 35 miles—especially between the Afterbay and Bighorn Fishing Access Sites.
The most popular stretch is the 10-mile float from 3-Mile to Bighorn Access. Here, anglers find productive seams, riffles, and side channels that are ideal for both floating and wade fishing. Dry fly action peaks during PMD and BWO hatches, while nymphing remains effective year-round.
Crowds are common from spring through early fall, particularly in the first three miles below the dam and at the 3-Mile fishing access site. This easily wadeable section includes legendary runs like the Breakfast Hole and Hot-Dog Run, where trout stack up in knee-deep gravel-bottomed riffles.
Further downstream, fishing pressure decreases and trout numbers taper off, but float anglers willing to explore these more remote stretches will find reprieve from the crowds.. Late summer and fall can be tricky due to aquatic vegetation and irrigation returns.
Whether you're casting dries, drifting nymphs, or stripping streamers, the Bighorn delivers consistent action for wild brown and rainbow trout—making it a must-visit for serious fly anglers in Montana.
Additional Bighorn River Fly Fishing Resources
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