Bighorn River Fishing Report
Date: 07/06/2026
Posted by: Toby SwankCurrent Conditions
The Bighorn River is settling into its classic summer pattern and continues to reward anglers who are willing to fish small flies.
PMDs remain the main hatch, with caddis becoming more consistent through the afternoons and evenings. There have also been the first signs of tricos showing up, so expect those morning opportunities to improve over the next couple of weeks. Fish are feeding throughout the day, but the better dry fly fishing has been centered around the PMD hatch and the evening caddis activity.
Nymphing is still the most dependable way to put fish in the net. Sowbugs, scuds, split-case PMDs, zebra midges, and small perdigons have all been producing. Fish are feeding higher in the water column than they were earlier this spring, so there isn't much reason to fish an overly heavy rig unless you're targeting the deepest runs.
If fish are rising, it's worth putting the indicator away. PMD cripples, X-caddis, and a few early trico patterns have all been producing fish, but long leaders and accurate presentations are much more important than carrying every pattern in the fly shop.
The Bighorn is fishing the way it typically does this time of year. Match the hatch, fish clean drifts, and be prepared to switch between nymphs and dries as bug activity changes throughout the day.
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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