Bighorn River Fishing Report
Date: 05/26/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Bighorn River is solid right now. Flows and water clarity have stayed consistent, and fish are feeding throughout most sections of the river.
Nymphing has been the most productive approach. Sow bugs, scuds, zebra midges, and smaller baetis nymphs have all been producing fish consistently. Most of the better fishing has been coming from slower seams, deeper runs, and softer shelves where fish can sit comfortably without moving much.
Dry fly fishing has also been improving during the afternoons. Midges and BWOs are still around, and there have been more PMDs starting to show as well. Fish have been rising steadily in back eddies, softer water, and longer slicks when conditions line up.
Streamer fishing has been worth doing during lower light periods and cloud cover. Smaller white, olive, and tan baitfish patterns have all been moving fish, especially along structure and through softer transition water.
The Bighorn continues to fish consistently well day to day and remains a really good option while many of the freestone rivers across Montana continue changing with runoff conditions.
Additional Resources:
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Black Lite Brite Perdigon
Tailwater Sowbug
Sparkle Minnow
Skiddish Smolt
Gray Gonga
Black Zebra Midge
Orange Scud
Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug
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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