Bighorn River Fishing Report
Date: 08/13/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Bighorn River is in excellent condition, offering anglers consistent action from first light until dusk. PMD’s are the primary morning hatch, with trout feeding steadily in soft seams, foam lines, and flats. Size 16–18 spinner or cripple patterns have been producing reliable takes. Caddis activity has also been strong in the afternoons and evenings, and a peacock elk hair caddis will draw fish in riffled water and along shaded grassy banks.
Nymphing continues to produce throughout the day. Productive patterns include sowbugs, scuds, PMD nymphs, perdigons, and black caddis pupae. Short line rigs work well in the upper river to avoid moss, while deeper runs downstream benefit from added weight. In the lower stretches, heavy summer weed growth in slower seams and buckets requires frequent checks to keep flies fishing clean.
Streamer fishing is more situational but remains effective early in the morning or during overcast periods. Smaller olive, tan, or sculpin patterns fished tight to the bank or worked through riffles can move quality fish.
Terrestrial activity is beginning to show. A few trout are starting to respond to natural toned patterns such as the sweetgrass hopper or tan thunder thigh. Ants and beetles are also producing in calmer water when fish are less focused on larger offerings.
Overall, the Bighorn is providing dependable morning dry fly fishing, consistent nymphing through the day, and the first signs of a developing terrestrial bite. With stable conditions and multiple productive approaches, this is an excellent time to be on the river.
Additional Resources:
- August fly fishing guide to the Bighorn River
- Bozeman fly fishing guide to August
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Black Lite Brite Perdigon
Black Zebra Midge
Tailwater Sowbug
PMD Crackback
Rusty Profile Spinner
Sweetgrass Hopper
Peacock Elk Hair Caddis
Orange Scud
PMD Jigster
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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