Bighorn River Fishing Report
Date: 11/24/2025
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Bighorn River has been fishing well this week once the day warms up. Early mornings are still pretty slow with the colder nights, but by late morning fish are more active in and the upper stretches below Yellowtail Dam has been seeing some solid days of good fishing. Clear water and light pressure are making it a nice place to spend a few hours this time of year.
Nymphing is the main focus right now. Orange and tan sowbugs, scuds, and small perdigons are all good lead patterns, and zebra midges or little green machines are a solid choice for the second fly. A 9-foot fluorocarbon leader of 3X or 4X is a simple setup that works across most of the river, and adding a bit of weight helps keep the flies down in the deeper slots.
Streamer fishing has been worth doing when cloud cover hangs around. Sparkle minnows, goldies, and smaller sculpin patterns are getting interest when worked through deeper runs or along the main channel. A short 5–6 foot leader of heavier fluorocarbon (1X or 0X) helps those flies turn over cleanly.
There’s still a small amount of surface activity. A few midges and BWOs are showing later in the day, and every now and then you’ll see a trout rising in slower water. Carry a couple size 18–20 parachutes or emergers if you want to be ready for it.
All in all, the Bighorn is a solid late-season option. Plan on starting a bit later, rely on your nymph rig for most of your day, and give streamers some time when the clouds roll in. It’s a relaxed, productive stretch before winter fully settles in.
Additional Resources:
- Bozeman Fly Fishing In November
- When is the Best Time to Fly Fish in Montana
Stream Flows
Flows
Recommended Flies
Tailwater Sowbug
Tungsten Tailwater Sowbug
Gray Gonga
Black Lite Brite Perdigon
Black Zebra Midge
Orange Scud
Sparkle Minnow
Skiddish Smolt
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.
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